Description
1960 Omega Speedmaster Ref. 2998-1 With Tropical Dial Why This Watch Matters Here we have the first variation of the second-generation Speedmaster. This watch has a great original look, with a beautiful tropical dial that has turned to a dark chocolate brown color throughout. It features everything you might look for in a vintage Speedmaster, including a dot-over-90 bezel with a base-1000 tachymeter scale and a lollipop-style seconds hand. The Full Story Omega released the first Speedmaster in 1957, with the ref. 2915-1. The Speedmaster was originally intended to be a drivers' watch, and it's considered the first chronograph to feature a bezel with a tachymeter scale, rather than it being on the dial. The original bezel on the ref. 2915 was metal, although some 2915-3 variations had black bezels similar to the one on the watch here. After the ref. 2915 was retired in 1959, Omega released the new Speedmaster model, the ref. 2998. This watch was similar in appearance to the original, but the major differences included a black bezel and hands in the "Alpha" style, which differed from the original "broad arrow" hands. Omega built eight (-1, -2, -3, -4, -5, -6, -61, and -62) different versions of the ref. 2998 over its production period. The ref. 2998 was actually the first Omega in space, with the slightly later ref. 2998-4 appearing on the wrist of astronaut Wally Schirra during NASA' s Mercury-Atlas 8 mission. Schirra wore his personal watch on this mission, which took place years before the Speedmaster was officially flight-certified by NASA. Omega released an almost identical model to mark the 50th anniversary of Schirra's space flight in 2012. The watch we have here is a ref. 2998-1 in great, honest condition. The dial has turned to a very dark brown-grey color throughout. The lume has aged quite nicely, and when the dial is in the light, it just sings. The flat-link bracelet features the correct and very desirable number 6 end-links, as well as the correct buckle that corresponds to the production year of the watch. These early bracelets have "double" expandable links on both sides of the bracelet that still retain tension. This example also features its original and correct dot-over-90 bezel with a base-1000 tachymeter scale, which by itself is a collector's item – these bezels are highly sought-after. The watch has also retained its original Naiad crown, which has a tiny three-point star in the center; these are only found on the earliest Speedmaster ref. 2915s, the ref. 2998-1, and the ref. 2998-2. To top it off, this example has a lollipop style seconds hand, which provides such a distinctive look that enhances the overall appearance. These ref. 2998-1s are full of great details that make this variation special and desirable, not to mention its beautiful aged dial color. According to Omega, this Speedmaster was built on November 25, 1960, where it was then delivered to Austria. The Fine Print Maker: Omega Model: Speedmaster Reference: 2998-1 Year: 1960 Case No: N/A; Movement No: 17761128 Material: Stainless steel Dimensions: 39mm diameter; 13mm thickness Crystal: Plexiglass Lume: Yes, radium Caliber: Manual winding 321 Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Omega No. 7077/6 bracelet with number 6 end-links Lug Width: 19mm Box/Papers: No, this watch comes with an Extract from the Omega Archives What we Love and What You Should Know This Speedmaster ref. 2998-1 is in overall great, honest condition. The case is strong with scratches and light nicks throughout. The case is probably unpolished, with normal signs of wear from use over the years. The double-step on the caseback and the caseback engravings are clearly visible. The dial has turned from black to a consistent dark brown color throughout. The lume on the hands and dial have developed patina. The lume on the hands is a bit darker in color. Some lume plots on the dial show normal signs of degradation. The center of the seconds hand and the base of the hour hand have had minor lume touch-up. The original base-1000 bezel is in good condition with some scratches and signs of wear with a couple slight indentations near 12 o'clock. The bracelet is in overall good condition with scratches and some stretch, which is normal for this type of bracelet. The double links on both sides of the clap still have some tension. The clasp is stamped, "1 60," indicating it is from 1960 and matches the year the watch was built. The crystal is a replacement, but this watch also comes with the original Omega-signed crystal.
