OMEGA Trilogy 1957 Review & Comparison
Omega fans are buzzing with excitement over the 60th-anniversary edition of these three watches. Let's review and compare the 1957 Railmaster, 1957 Seamaster, and the 1957 Speedmaster watches.
A great comedian once said: "I'm 60 years of age. That's 16 celsius." This is the feeling that many watch enthusiasts are feeling with the release of the new Omega Trilogy 1957 watches.
These are recreations of what is known as the "Omega Holy Trinity" Omega's original tool watches. All three were originally introduced in the year 1957 and this Limited Edition Trilogy 60th anniversary set is what most consider to be the chance of a lifetime. Arguably the most historically significant Omega watches; just mechanically superior.
These Omega watches propelled them to who they are today. Though the 60th-anniversary Trilogy may be a recreation of a vintage watch they are now not only new and young but quite hip!
OMEGA Trilogy 1957 Review & Comparison
The first is the Omega Railmaster which was originally a pocket watch until 1957 when it made its debut as a wristwatch in an effort to help trains keep more precise time and to avoid train wrecks. The new 60th anniversary Railmaster was anything but and with its amazing precision, it literally took off like a runaway train in terms of popularity. The Original Railmaster was powered by a 30T2-based movement known as the Caliber 284 and it came on the steel Omega 7077 bracelet with broad arrow hands.
Then we have the Omega Seamaster 300 which braced the wrist of Mi6 agent 007 in every James Bond film since 1997's Goldeneye when Pierce Brosnan played his first role as the iconic super spy. It had since been seen on the wrist of Daniel Craig (pictured below next to the Seamaster 007 "Spectre" Limited Edition which uses the same broad arrow hands) who just also happens to be a brand ambassador to Omega since 2010.
What makes these three Omega limited edition 1957 Trilogy watches so popular? It's the attention to detail in recreating three watches that were so close to the originals. Omega even used the old taller and thinner version of their logo and the 1957 font of the Omega wordmark and series logo font on the dial. These three series have in the last 60 years grown by leaps and bounds. The Seamaster and Speedmaster series have literally become archetypal when people think of Omega.
According to the curator of the Omega Museum, Petros Protopapas, Omega had their product development team work hand in hand with the museum in order to recreate these vintage masterpieces using the latest technology which included computer-assisted tomography (CAT scans) which take x-rays from many angles to reproduce the watch case without having to open it.
Have a look at each of these three 60th anniversary Omega 1957 Trilogy watches and compare them to the CT scans of the original watches to its left:
1957 Omega Railmaster Review
The first is the 38mm model number 220.10.38.20.01.002 RAILMASTER pictured below:
As you can clearly see, the scans were able to isolate the layers such as the crystal, the movement from the front view and another shot of the caliber from the side of the case back.
Omega has made many mechanical improvements to the Railmaster since the original version which was reference number CK2914. The new 1957 Railmaster is powered by the Omega 8806 caliber - Automatic/Self-Winding movement.
What makes this one better than the original 30T2-based calibers; the 284, 285 and 286 calibers? The movement is now designated as the "Master Co-Axial Chronometer". This means that the watch has a METAS approved Master Chronometer designation which was received after enduring a tremendous amount of testing for accuracy and many other factors .
It is now 15 times more resistant to magnetic interference than the CK2914 was. The original Railmaster from 1957 (pictured here) was only able to withstand magnetic fields between 900 and 1,000 Gauss, whereas the New Omega 1957 Railmaster Limited Edition can handle up to 15,000 Gauss.
Omega's Co-Axial escapement which is found in the new limited edition will also allow for longer periods needed in between services as well as a 4 year warranty period.
1957 Omega Seamaster 300 Review
The next shot is of the 39mm Omega 1957 Seamaster 300 model# 234.10.39.20.01.001
This scan clearly shows the bezel as well as the dome of the crystal and of course the inside which displays the automatic movement and another isolated shot showing the exact shape of the rotor.
This is an exact recreation of the original Seamaster 300 which was first introduced in 1957 with reference number CK2913 only with serious mechanical improvements. The new 60th-anniversary Omega 1957 Seamaster 300 model# 234.10.39.20.01.001 uses the same automatic movement as the new limited edition Railmaster watch, the Omega 8806. This is a self-winding Master Co-Axial Chronometer which is approved by METAS. Essentially it has two designations. First, it receives a COSC certification which gives the watch a Chronometer status meaning accuracy of -4/+6 seconds per day. Then it goes to another lab altogether, to METAS where it is tested for all sorts of things until it ultimately achieves an accuracy of 0/+5 seconds per day.
The testing is as follows:
- The first of these tests gauges how it reacts to being exposed to magnetic fields of 1.5 Tesla / 15,000 Gauss while in two different positions.
- Then the caliber is cased and put into a watch and they test how it handles the same fifteen-thousand gauss magnetic fields.
- They then expose it to 15,000 Gauss for a full 24 hours and test its daily precision for any deviation.
- They then look at the average daily accuracy of the watch over a period of 96 hours while alternating positions and environmental changes such as temperature fluctuations.
- The Power reserve is then examined to ensure it runs at full mast for the projected capacity.
- They then look for any deviance of accuracy in any of six different positions.
- The watches are then tested again in 6 positions for any chronometric discrepancies in time while the power reserve is between 33% and 100%.
- The water-resistance of the watch is tested by immersing the watch in water and increasing the pressure until it reaches the intended depth of water resistance.
Omega has been aggressively working to achieve the most magnetic resistant and accurate watch in the world and the Master Chronometers that are used in the Seamaster 300 1957 Limited Edition and Railmaster 1957 Limited Edition are arguably just that.
1957 Omega Speedmaster Review
Last but not least we have the 38.6mm Omega Speedmaster 1957 model # 311.10.39.30.01.001
The original Speedmaster was the reference number CK2915 and was powered by the Omega Calibre 321 movement pictured here. (Photo Credit: Shane Lin)
However, for this new 60th-anniversary limited edition of the original 1957 Speedmaster, Omega decided to use an even more iconic movement, the Omega 1861 Caliber - The world-famous manual wind movement that was worn on the moon.
The dials are using a black topical finish which almost gives it a speckled appearance and in the right kind of light appear to be more of a dark gray. The cases and metal bracelets are all made of polished and brushed stainless steel, however, each watch also comes with an additional two straps, one in leather and one fabric (NATO) strap. In addition, these come with an exquisite leather watch roll which has a debossed Omega logo on it with the words "High Precision" underneath as well as a branded tool for replacing the straps or bracelet.
All that said, this set consists of 3 of the most sought after Omega watches at the moment and will definitely be something worth collecting. To compare the specifications of all three watches, or to purchase/view pricing, see the comparison table below:
(NOTE: If you are viewing this on a mobile device, swipe from right to left to reveal the additional models.)
