After 51 years of inactivity, Omega brings back to life perhaps the most famous movement ever produce: the caliber 321!
The cal. 321 was born in 1949 with the name 27CHRO 12, becoming the beating heart of an iconic watch : the Speedmaster.
This caliber comes from a project of the 40’s developed during a collaboration between Omega and Lemania, the results of which are concretized in 1941/42 with the manual winding caliber 27 CHRO C12 (where 2 is the diameter in millimeters, “chro” stands for chronograph and c12 means 12 hours) that Lemania will call caliber 2310 while in Omega will be named. 321 in 1949.
The birth of the first Speedmaster
The Speedmaster was born in 1957, with the reference CK2915, projected by C. Ballot and immediately mounted the cal. 321. With 39mm case, broad arrow hands and black dial, the CK 2915 has now become the most wanted Speedmaster, with prices above 100,000 euros.
In 1959 a new reference to the Speedmaster was born, the CK 2998, with a 40mm case, o-ring on the chrono pushers and “dauphine” hands.
The CK 2998 becomes one of the first models subject to NASA tests. In 1963 the case adopts an asymmetrical shape to offer better protection to the crown and to the pushers.
In 1966 with the reference 145.012 the word “Professional” was added on the dial.
Goodbye tro the 321, it’s the time of 861
In 1968, with the reference ST. 145.022 ,the cal. 321 (produced in 40.800 copies with a serial number of up to 26.4 million) was replaced by cal. 861, marking the end of this movement on Speedmaster…
…till this year!
2019 was a year full of good news, and the return of cal. 321 is one of these!!
Translated by Lorenzo Spolaor (@itsdoc_oclock)
