A replica Speedmaster 1957 3rd generation is a copy of the third reference in Omega's Speedmaster line, the CK2998-era watch that swapped the broad-arrow hands of the 1957 original for alpha hands and a black tachymeter bezel. Good copies sell for $300 to $600 and match four things: a 38 to 40 mm case, a hand-wound chronograph movement with subdials at 3, 6, and 9, a stepped dial, and a domed acrylic crystal. Cheap copies miss the crystal, the bezel font, and the subdial spacing, and those three flaws show from arm's length.
What counts as the 3rd generation Speedmaster?
Omega launched the Speedmaster in 1957 as a racing chronograph, not a moon watch. The first run carried broad-arrow hands and a steel tachymeter bezel.
The third generation, tied to the CK2998 from 1959, is the version most replica buyers mean. It brought alpha hands, a black bezel insert with the dot sitting over the 90, and a slimmer profile.
Because the real watch is scarce and expensive, the replica market for this reference runs on photos and forum threads rather than factory spec sheets.
What should you check on a replica Speedmaster 1957 3rd generation?
Hands and dial
Alpha hands are the mark of this generation. Broad-arrow hands on a 1959-style dial mean the maker reused a 1957 template.
- Subdial hands: thin, straight, and set at the same height as the main hands.
- Print: OMEGA and Speedmaster stack under the 12, with the Omega symbol above.
- Subdial layout: 3, 6, and 9. A 12-6-9 layout points to an automatic movement.
- Lume: even color across the dial. Patchy lume means painted plots, not applied ones.
Case and bezel
The copy should measure 38 to 40 mm across, with twisted lugs and a case that sits low on the wrist.
- Bezel insert: black, with a dot over the 90 and clean numerals. Fuzzy printing shows up on budget builds.
- Bezel edge: a coin-edge finish that lines up with the case lines.
- Pushers: two, at 2 and 4, with short travel and no wobble.
- Crown: signed or unsigned. Both exist, and neither proves quality on its own.
Movement
Most copies of this reference use a hand-wound Seagull ST19 or a decorated version of it. The ST19 is a column-wheel design, so it matches the real watch's layout and pusher feel.
Automatic Valjoux 7750 builds cost less to make and are easy to spot. They push the subdials out of position and add a rotor the original never had.
Crystal and caseback
The real watch used a domed acrylic (hesalite) crystal. A flat sapphire crystal on a 1959-style replica is the clearest single tell.
Flip the watch over. You want an engraved caseback with the seahorse medallion and reference markings, not a laser-etched sticker or a blank steel disc.
What do the replica tiers cost?
Replica Speedmasters sit in three broad price bands, and the gap between them is finishing, not branding.
- Budget, $40 to $120: quartz or rough automatic movements, printed dials, hollow end links, plated cases.
- Mid tier, $150 to $300: ST19 hand-wound movements, solid steel cases, usable lume, acrylic or sapphire crystal.
- High end, $350 to $700: close-to-gen case geometry, stepped dials, correct bezel fonts, and a column-wheel movement.
Above that range you are paying for scarcity, not for a better watch.
How do you sort a good copy from a bad one?
- Ask for a straight-on photo of the dial. Check subdial spacing and hand shapes first.
- Ask which movement is inside. "Seagull ST19" is a real answer. "High quality" is not.
- Get the case width and thickness in millimeters. Guessing means the seller never measured.
- Ask about the crystal type and whether the dome sits above the bezel line.
- Read the return policy before you pay. A seller with no returns is selling you risk.
Legal and practical notes
In the United States, selling counterfeit goods is illegal, and customs can seize shipments of trademarked watches at import. Buying one for personal use is a different matter, and rules vary by state and country, so check before you order.
A replica holds no resale value and cannot be serviced by Omega. Parts come from the same channel that sold you the watch, which matters when a pusher fails two years in.
Treat it as a costume piece. If you want the real history, buy a modern Speedmaster and skip the guesswork.
FAQ
Is a replica Speedmaster 1957 3rd generation worth buying?
Only if you accept it as a lookalike with no resale value. Buyers who want the correct dial layout and a hand-wound movement get the most from the $300 to $500 band, where case and bezel details hold up.
Which movement should the replica have?
A hand-wound column-wheel chronograph, most often a Seagull ST19, with subdials at 3, 6, and 9. An automatic 7750 build changes the dial layout and the pusher feel.
How can I spot a cheap replica fast?
Check the crystal and the bezel print. Flat sapphire and smeared tachymeter numerals appear on every low-end build.
Are replica watches illegal in the US?
Selling counterfeits is illegal, and customs may seize imports. Personal possession rules differ by state, and a replica is never a legal substitute for a genuine trademarked watch.
Does a 3rd generation replica keep its value?
No. Replica prices fall the moment you wear one, and no dealer trades them.