When perfect replica Omega watches decided to create a re-edition of the first Speedmaster ever to travel into space, there was no debate, it had to be directly inspired by the CK2998 worn by Schirra. What’s special about this version of the Speedy…?
The Swiss made fake Omega Speedmaster CK2998 is the second generation of this watch, with subtle evolutions compared to the inaugural CK2915 model. While sharing the same symmetrical case with straight lugs and the same movement – calibre 321 – the CK2998 differs mostly regarding its bezel and its hands. While the first generation Speedmaster was fitted with a steel bezel and an engraved tachymeter scale, the CK2998 introduced the black anodized aluminium bezel that will be the norm for all following references (still in use in 2021). The earliest models featured a “base 1000” tachymeter scale while the CK2998-4 worn by Schirra came with a “base 500” scale, as seen in the photos here.
The other noticeable feature of the CK2998, which was found only in this generation, was the distinctive set of hands. Replacing the metallic broad arrow hands of the CK2915, and prior to the introduction of the white “professional” baton hands, the CK2998 was fitted with so-called “Alpha” metallic hands. Its dial, as most early Omega Speedmaster replica watches for men, was matte black and stepped, featuring an applied Ω logo at 12 o’clock and tall markers. Of course, the “professional” mention wasn’t yet existing.