Speedmaster Reference Numbers

[Azalee Rowling]

Thefirst Speedmaster on the market was reference CK2915. Introduced in 1957 as part of this trilogy of watches for professional use included the Railmaster and Seamaster 300 as well. The Speedmaster CK2915 was the first chronograph in the world to use a tachymeter on the bezel (instead of on the dial). Initially, the Speedmaster was meant for motorsport and racing but also aimed at technicians and scientists who needed a chronograph. Omega used its caliber 321 movements in the Speedmaster watches until they introduced reference 145.022 in 1968.

The Speedmaster CK2998 was the second generation of Speedmasters and actually the first watch to be used in space before NASA did their tender. Astronauts Wally Schirra and Gordon Cooper purchased their Speedmaster CK2998 watches privately and used them in space since 1962. The hands and bezel are different from the CK2915, but the (center) case is the same on the first three generations of Speedmaster watches.

In 1968, Omega introduced a new movement for the Speedmaster, caliber 861. A shuttle cam mechanism instead of a column wheel, and a higher ticking speed (21,600vph instead of 18,000vph). The first iteration in 1968 looked very similar to the last 145.012 references, but in 1969 the Speedmaster Professional also had a slightly different look with its printed Omega logo instead of an applied metal logo. This watch was never used on the moon, but it has been near the moon during Apollo 17 as a board instrument attached to a metal plate. In 1978, NASA qualified the Speedmaster Professional 145.022 to become the watch for the Space Shuttle astronauts. It was also the reference to be available in gold, with the BA145.022-69 and later on in gold & steel (DD145.022).

In 1988, Omega introduced a new coding system for their reference numbers. 145.022/145.0022 (as many other references) were continued to be used as a reference for the case part, but the watches themselves received an entirely new reference number. In the case of the Speedmaster Professional, it became the reference 3590.50. The first model was basically the same as the last 145.0022, but in the years after, Omega carried through changes to the movements, bracelets, etc. In 1997, Omega started to use the new caliber 1861 movement. A slight update on the previous 861. Caliber 1861 was used for the Moonwatch till 2020. In 2021, we saw the introduction of the new Moonwatch with Master Chronometer-certified caliber 3861 movements. Then, of course, there are a plethora of special, limited, and numbered editions of the Speedmaster Moonwatch. Omega likes to celebrate and commemorate the Apollo 11, Apollo 13, Apollo 15, and Apollo 17 missions, for example. But you will also find other events celebrated with a special edition of the Speedmaster. In 2019, Omega re-introduced the column-wheel chronograph caliber 321 movements. First used in a special platinum Speedmaster Professional with an onyx dial with subdials made of lunar meteorite, and in 2020 in a straight-lug reference 105.003 based Speedmaster. These are not limited editions, but the production capacity for this caliber 321 is limited to 1000-2000 movements every year.

To commemorate the fact that the Speedmaster Professional was qualified (again) by NASA in 1978 to serve as the chronograph during the Space Shuttle program (starting in 1981), Omega introduced this numbered edition Speedmaster Professional in 18kt gold. There were 300 of them in yellow gold and 20 of them in white gold. The white gold edition was only delivered to the German market. Approximately half of the amount of the yellow gold watches also went to Germany. This particular model was also the first Speedmaster to have a transparent case back.

In 1986, Omega introduced three different Speedmaster references with a Moonphase complication. One is based on the Moonwatch, and has reference 345.0809. Only 1300 of those have been produced. Omega used the teutonic Speedmasters (based on the German market reference 345.0803), limited to 700 pieces in total (two references). So in total, Omega created 2000 Speedmaster Moonphase watches in the mid-1980s with caliber 866. Later on, in the 2000s, Omega re-introduced this model as reference 3575.20 with a slightly modernized dial and new movement variation (caliber 1866). Today, Omega has a number of Speedmaster Moonphase references in the collection, based on their 44.25mm case and using their in-house caliber 9905 with a Master Chronometer certification.

When it comes to identifying certain watch models, enthusiasts and industry insiders typically use reference numbers. While it's perfectly acceptable to simply say "Omega Seamaster," there are dozens and dozens of different versions of the watch - so reference numbers (or Omega PIC Numbers as the brand calls them now) are used for clarity.

Some manufacturers use relatively short reference numbers (for example, Rolex and Patek Philippe) while others (such as Omega), use a long string of digits - which Omega calls a PIC number. These digits can tell us a lot of useful information about the watch, including the model family, the case material, the bezel material and type, the bracelet material and type, and the movement type.

On the other hand, a serial number is an identification number that is unique to each individual watch. Since they are typically issued somewhat sequentially (there are some discrepancies as we'll explore below), Omega serial numbers can reveal the approximate manufacturing period of a specific watch. Therefore, you can calculate the ballpark age range of any given Omega watch by cross-referencing the Omega serial number with the production period chart below.

Additionally, because you can use an Omega serial number to estimate the production era, understanding how these numbers work can also help you when authenticating a watch. You can even order an Extract from the Archives directly from Omega with the serial number, which many collectors choose to do for an additional level of authentication and documentation.

The easiest place to find an Omega serial number is on the corresponding paperwork for the watch such as the warranty card, chronometer certificate, certification of authenticity, or official service records. However, having the original paperwork is not always feasible - particularly in regards to vintage Omega watches. In those instances, an OMEGA serial number lookup isn't as difficult as you might think. You can find the serial number on the actual Omega watch itself.

If the serial number is not on the exterior of the watch (which will generally be the case on vintage and older Omega watches), the caseback will have to be removed in order to view the serial number engraving, which will be located either on the movement itself or on the inside of the caseback.

Yet another important thing to note is that because Omega serial numbers are typically movement serial numbers, the sequence of serial numbers should be taken with a grain of salt. Movement parts could have come together much earlier than a complete watch, so it is entirely feasible that a later model could have a lower serial number than an earlier model. Furthermore, the below charts are estimations, therefore there is the possibility that certain production dates could be off by as much as a few years.

Finally and perhaps most importantly, the Omega Speedmaster - the brand's most famous collection of watches and the model best known for being the first watch worn on the moon - follows a different Omega serial number system. So, if you're looking for the serial number of an Omega Speedmaster, it's crucial to make sure you're using the correct chart.

When it comes to Omega watch reference/model numbers, it will be the PIC number that you will want to look for to learn more information about the watch. PIC stands for Product Identification Code. From 1988 until 2007, Omega used an 8-digit PIC System. Then in 2007, Omega switched over to a 14-digit PIC System, which the brand continues to use for the watches that it manufactures today.

*Considered a complication if the watch provides more than hour, minute, second and date. Also, since the chronograph function is already described in the first digit, it is not considered a complication here.

While vintage Omega watches typically include the reference/model number stamped inside the caseback (meaning that you'll have to open the watch to see it), modern Omega watches do not. To find the complete PIC reference number of an Omega watch, you'll have to consult the accompanying paperwork.

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