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CK 2915

Omega Speedmaster History, Part 1: The Early Pre-Moon Watches

The Speedmaster began as a professional chronograph in 1957. Its CK 2998 brought the first spaceflight association in 1962, before NASA qualification in 1965.

By WatchRanker Team 2 min read
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The first Omega Speedmaster was the CK 2915, introduced in 1957 as a professional chronograph with a tachymeter scale on its bezel. Its successor, the CK 2998, arrived in 1959 and became the first Speedmaster associated with human spaceflight when astronaut Wally Schirra wore his personal watch on the Sigma 7 mission in 1962. That happened before NASA formally qualified the Speedmaster for piloted missions in 1965.

Why Omega introduced the Speedmaster

Omega launched the Speedmaster in 1957 as part of a professional-use collection that also included the Railmaster and Seamaster 300. Its original purpose was that of a legible chronograph suited to professional timing and speed measurement—not a watch designed from the outset for spaceflight.

The first generation, reference CK 2915, is often nicknamed the “Broad Arrow” for its broad arrow-shaped hour hand. Its tachymeter scale sat on the bezel rather than the dial, allowing the wearer to use the chronograph to calculate speed while keeping the dial clear for reading the time and elapsed seconds. Early Speedmasters used the hand-wound Calibre 321.

CK 2915 vs. CK 2998: what changed?

Feature CK 2915 CK 2998
Generation and date First Speedmaster generation, introduced in 1957. Second generation, released in 1959, according to Omega.
Bezel Tachymeter scale on the bezel; the reference is associated with a light-colored bezel. Dark bezel.
Hands Broad arrow hour hand, the source of its collector nickname. Revised, slender Alpha hands.
Case Earlier case design. Revised, symmetrical case.
Historical association Marks the Speedmaster’s professional chronograph origins. Wally Schirra’s personal CK 2998 was worn on the Sigma 7 mission in 1962.

Omega describes the CK 2998 as the family’s second generation: “The famous watch, originally identified by its reference number, CK 2998, was first released in 1959, and represented the 2nd generation of the Speedmaster family.” Omega’s 2024 announcement gives that date and generation. The cited history does not establish a movement change between CK 2915 and CK 2998, so movement should not be treated as a confirmed distinguishing feature here.

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How the Speedmaster first reached space

On October 3, 1962, astronaut Walter “Wally” Schirra wore his own CK 2998 on Sigma 7, a Mercury mission. Omega refers to this early spaceflight association as “First Omega in Space.” The key detail is that Schirra’s watch was his personal watch, not a Speedmaster already qualified by NASA for piloted missions.

NASA formally qualified the Speedmaster for piloted missions in 1965. The sequence matters: personal use in space in 1962 came first; official qualification followed in 1965. The broader chronology appears in Omega’s Speedmaster history.

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What “pre-Moon” means for these early references

The CK 2915 and CK 2998 belong to the Speedmaster’s early history, before the model’s later lunar identity. The CK 2915 represents the original professional chronograph design; the CK 2998 marks the first astronaut-worn-in-space association described by Omega. Neither fact should be confused with NASA qualification in 1965 or with the later Moonwatch story.

Omega announced a modern “First Omega in Space” update in 2024, inspired by the CK 2998. It is a contemporary tribute, not a vintage CK 2998. See Omega’s product announcement for the modern watch.

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What to keep in mind when identifying a vintage example

  • Use the broad reference history to understand the models, not to authenticate an individual watch. Variants and changes within CK 2915 and CK 2998 production can be complex.
  • Do not date a specific watch from one design detail alone. Establishing an individual example’s reference and history calls for documented records and assessment by a qualified watch specialist.
  • Production counts and a complete account of every sub-reference change are not established by the cited historical sources.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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