Omega has introduced a new Speedmaster limited edition based on a popular vintage Omega model. The new CK2998 Limited Edition is based on the original model from 1959 and employs the popular panda dial configuration with a pulsometer scale bezel.
The original CK 2998 was released in 1959 and is a much sought-after piece in the vintage market today. It came fitted with the characteristic Alpha hands and a dark bezel (the original Speedmaster sported a steel bezel) fitted on a symmetrical case. This model’s stock rose in 1962 when US astronaut Walter Schirra wore his personal CK 2998 during a Sigma 7 mission of NASA’s Mercury program.
If you experience a strange sense of déjà vu now, it is because Omega dropped a similar reissue at Baselworld 2016. While most of the 2998’s characteristic traits – straight lugs, Alpha hands, dark bezel – were retained, the 2016 version had a blue and silver ‘panda’ scheme which was a real departure from the black dial of the original model.
The 2018 limited edition sports a black and silver color scheme. All three subdials are black, but the big difference is seen on the bezel – the polished ceramic bezel has an enamel pulsometer scale instead of the usual tachymeter marking seen on the 1959 original and the 2016 tribute piece.
The pulsometer scale, which is used to check a person’s heartbeats per minute, has particular relevance to the CK 2998. With the original models, customers were able to choose from four different versions of the timing bezel (including tachymeter, pulsometer, decimal or telemeter).
The 39.7-mm-wide and 14.37-mm-thick stainless steel case has a mix of polished and brushed stainless steel surfaces. The sand-blasted silvery dial uses blackened Alpha hands for hours and minutes, while sand-blasted rhodium-plated Alpha hands are used on the subdials. The chronograph seconds hand comes in varnished red. The hour and minute hands, as well as the blackened indexes, also include Super-LumiNova for increased visibility in dark conditions.
The watch uses a closed caseback which features the famous Seahorse medallion that has been used on all of Omega’s professional tool watches like the Speedmaster, Seamaster and Railmaster since the 1960s. The watch is powered by the classic handwound Caliber 1861. The watch is a limited edition of just 2,998 pieces each unique Limited Edition is engraved on the caseback. The watch is priced at $5,850.
