Verdict: The hand-wound Omega Speedmaster ’57 40.5mm is worth considering if you want a historically styled chronograph with a date, a 60-hour reserve and modern Master Chronometer protection in a relatively compact case. Its 40.5mm diameter does not tell the whole fit story: the 49.64mm lug-to-lug length and 12.99mm thickness matter just as much. Choose the bracelet for a more adaptable everyday setup, or the brown calf-leather strap for a dressier feel.
What the Speedmaster ’57 40.5mm is
The current 40.5mm model is the new-for-2022 generation of Omega’s heritage Speedmaster ’57. It sits alongside the Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional as a manual-winding alternative, combining vintage-inspired broad-arrow styling with Omega’s hand-wound Co-Axial Master Chronometer calibre 9906.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Omega Speedmaster '57 Mens Watch 331.12.42.51.01.001 | $6,710.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Omega Speedmaster '57 Co-Axial Chronograph | $8,250.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Omega Speedmaster '57 Co-Axial Chronograph 331.10.42.51.01.001 | $8,800.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Omega Speedmaster Chronograph Automatic Red Dial Men's Watch 332.12.41.51.11.001 | $8,750.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Omega Speedmaster '57 Mens Watch 331.10.42.51.03.001 | $8,800.00 | Buy on Amazon |
At launch, HODINKEE described the model as having “nailed its watch-nerd quotient”—an opinion from that publication, not an Omega specification. The design is deliberately retro, but the movement certification and anti-magnetic construction are thoroughly modern.
Specifications that determine daily wear
| Specification | Speedmaster ’57 40.5mm |
|---|---|
| Case diameter | 40.5mm |
| Lug-to-lug | 49.64mm |
| Thickness | 12.99mm |
| Lug width | 20mm |
| Water resistance | 50m / 165ft |
| Movement | Omega calibre 9906, manual winding, 4Hz |
| Power reserve | 60 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, central chronograph seconds, date at 6 o’clock, small seconds, 12-hour and 60-minute counters, and a time-zone function |
| Certification | METAS Master Chronometer; anti-magnetic resistance to 15,000 gauss |
Is 40.5mm too large or too small?
The diameter is only one part of the fit. A 49.64mm lug-to-lug span gives the watch substantial wrist presence, while the 12.99mm thickness affects how easily it slides under a cuff. Measure your wrist across the top and compare it with the lug-to-lug figure rather than judging the watch by 40.5mm alone.
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The 20mm lug width also gives you a broad range of replacement straps. The case is stainless steel, and the broad-arrow hands and vintage-inspired dial treatment make the watch read as a heritage chronograph rather than a minimalist dress watch.
Calibre 9906: what the hand-wound movement adds
Manual winding and reserve
Calibre 9906 is a hand-wound movement with a stated 60-hour power reserve. You wind it through the crown instead of relying on an automatic rotor, so winding becomes part of the ownership routine. The two barrels are arranged in series to support the reserve.
Chronograph construction
The movement uses a column wheel and a Co-Axial escapement. Its functions include central chronograph seconds, separate 12-hour and 60-minute counters, small seconds, and a date at 6 o’clock. Omega specifically describes this generation as combining multiple chronograph functions with a date display at 6 o’clock.
Magnetic resistance and certification
METAS Master Chronometer certification and resistance to magnetic fields up to 15,000 gauss give the 9906 a level of protection that is unusual among traditionally styled chronographs. The movement also uses a silicon balance spring and Geneva waves in arabesque decoration.
Rank #3
- Model 331.10.42.51.01.001
Date display versus the Moonwatch
The date at 6 o’clock is the clearest practical distinction in the layout. The ’57 is still a hand-wound Speedmaster, but it adds calendar utility and a time-zone function to the chronograph package. When comparing it with a Moonwatch, focus on the actual differences that matter to you: winding system, case dimensions, lug-to-lug length, water resistance, date display, magnetic certification, bracelet adjustment and total price. Current Moonwatch figures are not established here, so verify the specific reference before treating any comparison as definitive.
Bracelet or leather strap?
| Configuration | What it changes | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|
| Stainless-steel bracelet | Omega comfort-release folding clasp; generally the more adaptable option for changing wrist size during the day | Frequent daily wear and owners who want one watch to cover casual and formal settings |
| Brown non-grained calf-leather strap | Pin buckle; a lighter, dressier visual character, with heat, wear and replacement cost becoming practical considerations | Owners who prefer a vintage-inspired, less sporty presentation |
These are wearing-character comparisons, not measured laboratory results. Omega lists steel-bracelet and leather-strap references, while launch color choices included black, blue, green and burgundy dials. Check the exact reference and clasp supplied in your market.
Price and regional availability
HODINKEE recorded 2022 launch pricing of $8,300 on a strap and $8,600 on a bracelet. Omega Japan currently lists ¥1,529,000 for a leather-strap reference and ¥1,584,000 for a steel-bracelet reference. Those figures are tied to their stated market and dates; taxes, exchange rates, regional pricing and later revisions mean there is no universal current MSRP. Confirm the price and stock with Omega or an authorized dealer in your country.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Water resistance: 50 metres in practice
The stated rating is 50m / 165ft. That supports ordinary splash exposure and careful everyday use, but it is not a claim that the watch is a dive watch. Keep the crown and chronograph controls properly secured and follow Omega’s service and water-resistance guidance for any activity involving sustained immersion.
Quick Recap
Who should buy it?
- Buy it if you want a manually wound, heritage-styled chronograph with a date and a 60-hour reserve.
- Choose it if METAS certification and 15,000-gauss anti-magnetic resistance matter to your environment.
- Measure your wrist first: the 49.64mm lug-to-lug length can dominate the fit more than the 40.5mm diameter.
- Pick the bracelet when adjustability and all-round use take priority; pick leather when dressier appearance matters more.
- Compare the exact local price and reference, because launch and Japanese prices cannot be applied globally.
Buying checklist
- Confirm the reference, dial color and supplied strap or bracelet.
- Measure your wrist against the 49.64mm lug-to-lug length and 12.99mm thickness.
- Decide whether the date, time-zone function and hand-winding routine are advantages for you.
- Check the local Omega price, taxes, warranty terms and authorized-dealer availability.
- Inspect water-resistance status and service history on any pre-owned example.
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.
