iW Magazine Spring 2020 | Page 91

Exploded view of the newly remade Caliber 321. Left, Above: The remade Caliber 321 features Sedna gold components in place of the copper-finished originals. EVER SINCE OMEGA FIRST ANNOUNCED THAT IT PLANNED TO REMAKE THE MANUAL-WINDING CALIBER 321, the movement inside the original Omega Speedmasters worn by astronauts, collectors have been waiting for Omega to place the caliber inside a steel Speedmaster. Early in January, Omega finally did just that when it launched the Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch 321 Stainless Steel, a retro Speedmaster built to echo the watch Ed White wore in 1965 while walking in space. The first Caliber 321s powered Omega’s Speedmaster in 1957, which gained notoriety both as White’s choice in 1965 (Ref. 105.003) but also as the movement inside the Speedmaster ST 105.012, worn by Neil Armstrong on the Moon in 1969. Now the second watch to house the remade caliber (Omega debuted a platinum model last July to commemorate Armstrong’s moon landing in 1969), the new steel 39.70mm chronograph echoes that original model’s format and color scheme with its own black bezel ring (now in polished black ceramic) and familiar white tachymeter scale. You’ll also see the well-known Omega Moonwatch hands and black dial displaying chronograph time via a 30-minute subdial, 12-hour subdial and central chronograph hand. If that’s not enough retro love, Omega also retains its own vintage logo throughout the watch. The beautiful Omega Caliber 321 is now fully visible through a sapphire crystal caseback, a feature unknown to Ed White as he floated in space in 1965. The remade Caliber 321 features Sedna gold components in place of the copper-finished originals, though all other components are exact replicas of the original caliber. Price: $14,100. SPRING 2020 | INTERNATIONAL WATCH | 91