A fake Speedmaster 1957 3rd generation is an aftermarket copy of the Omega Speedmaster 1957 re-edition, built by replica factories in a third revision of their design. It mimics the 38.6 mm broad arrow chronograph that Omega released in 2017, but it is not an Omega product and it does not use the original caliber 1861 movement.
What "1957 3rd generation" actually means
Two different things sit inside that phrase. "1957" is the birth year of the original Speedmaster, reference CK2915. Omega returned to that year in 2017 with a 60th anniversary re-edition, offered on its own and as part of a three-watch Trilogy set alongside the Seamaster 300 and Railmaster.
"3rd generation" is replica trade language. Factories that copy popular watches revise their tooling over time, and buying communities label those revisions gen 1, gen 2, gen 3. It describes the version of a copy, not an official Omega generation. A seller calling a watch "3rd gen" is telling you which iteration of the copy they stock, and no central authority verifies that claim.
What the genuine 1957 re-edition looks like
- Steel case around 38.6 mm, clearly smaller than the 42 mm Moonwatch.
- Black dial with broad arrow hands and a straight-lug case inspired by the 1957 original.
- Hand-wound caliber 1861, the same family used in the classic Moonwatch.
- Hesalite crystal, a period-correct detail that also scratches.
Those four points give you a baseline. Most grading of a copy comes down to how closely it matches them.
What a 3rd-generation copy usually gets right
Third revisions tend to fix the obvious complaints from earlier versions. Expect case proportions in the right range, a dial layout that reads correctly at arm's length, a broad arrow handset, and a working chronograph. Strap and buckle look-alikes have improved as well.
From a meter away, a decent third-generation copy reads as a vintage-inspired Speedmaster. That is the honest limit of the comparison.
Where a fake Speedmaster 1957 still falls short
- Movement: no Omega chronograph movement, a different beat rate, and different finishing under a loupe.
- Dial printing: fonts, spacing, and the crispness of the minute track are the usual giveaways.
- Case finishing: brushing and polishing transitions are softer, and lug edges lose definition.
- Caseback engraving: fonts and depth rarely match, and reference stamping can be wrong.
- Lume: color and evenness vary between examples from the same batch.
- Crystal and crown: profile and fit are often slightly off, and water resistance is not guaranteed.
How to spot a fake being sold as the real thing
This matters more than replica quality. A copy sold as authentic is fraud, and the Speedmaster name attracts that kind of listing.
- Ask for the full reference number and compare it to the paper trail. The 2017 Trilogy Speedmaster follows Omega's standard reference format.
- Request sharp photos of the dial text, the caseback engraving, and the movement where visible.
- Check the seller's history and whether they accept returns.
- Have an Omega boutique or an independent watchmaker open the watch and confirm the movement.
- Treat any price far below the going secondhand rate as a warning, not a bargain.
Checklist before you buy a replica online
- Photos of the exact watch you will receive, not stock images.
- Movement details spelled out: name, beat rate, power reserve.
- Return and refund terms stated in writing.
- A payment method with buyer protection.
- A seller who answers questions about flaws. Anyone claiming a copy is 1:1 perfect is selling, not describing.
Red flags
- "1:1 super clone" claims with no photos of the actual unit.
- Pressure to pay by gift transfer or crypto only.
- Claims of genuine Omega parts inside a copy.
- No address, no policy page, replies by chat only.
Legal and practical note
Buying a replica for personal wear is not the same as selling one as genuine, and the second case is where serious legal trouble lives. Keep your expectations realistic, keep receipts and messages, and have any secondhand "authentic" Speedmaster 1957 verified before money changes hands.