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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · Chronograph wristwatch

OMEGA Speedmaster Reference 2998-3 Chronograph Wristwatch

Partially verified

This is a stainless steel OMEGA Speedmaster chronograph wristwatch, reference 2998-3, manufactured in 1963. It features a manual-winding Calibre 321 movement housed within a 38.5mm stainless steel case. The watch is equipped with a black matte dial featuring luminous painted baton indexes, outer minute and seconds divisions, and a 1/5 second track. Subsidiary dials include seconds at 9 o'clock, a 30-minute register at 3 o'clock, and a 12-hour register at 6 o'clock. The display uses luminous baton hands and an arrowhead centre chronograph seconds hand. It is mounted on a leather strap and accompanied by an Extract from the Archives. This specific reference belongs to the second generation of Speedmaster watches, which replaced earlier 'Broad Arrow' hands with 'Alpha' hands. The watch includes an external tachymeter bezel.

Stainless steel OMEGA Speedmaster Reference 2998-3 chronograph wristwatch.
Stainless steel OMEGA Speedmaster Reference 2998-3 chronograph wristwatch. — Somlo London. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.somlo.com
Category
Wristwatch · Chronograph wristwatch
Maker / attribution
OMEGA
Reference
2998-3
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
1963
Source-reported place
Switzerland

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Case and Dial

The external bezel is fitted with a tachymeter scale, a defining functional component of the model's design intended for the measurement of speed. The black matte dial is designed for legibility, featuring luminous painted baton indexes and a detailed outer track for seconds and 1/5th seconds.

The dial layout includes a sub-dial arrangement with seconds at 9 o'clock, a 30-minute register at 3 o'clock, and a 12-hour register at 6 o'clock. The time is displayed via luminous baton-style hands, complemented by an arrowhead-shaped centre chronograph seconds hand, a configuration adopted to replace the 'Broad Arrow' hands found on the initial 2915 reference.

Evidence for this section
  • “Black matte dial with luminous painted baton indexes, outer minute/seconds divisions, outermost 1/5 second divisions featuring subsidiary seconds at 9 o’clock, 30 minute register at 3 o’clock and 12 hour register at 6 o’clock with luminous baton hands, and arrowhead centre chronograph seconds”
  • “Case dimensions: 38.5mm”

Movement and Functionality

This chronograph is powered by the OMEGA Calibre 321, a manual-winding movement. The watch functions as a mechanical chronograph, operated by the pushers located on the side of the stainless steel case. The movement facilitates the tracking of elapsed time via the integrated sub-registers and the central chronograph seconds hand.

The reference 2998-3 belongs to the second generation of the Speedmaster line, which was produced with various sub-references throughout the early 1960s. The movement and design were subject to consistent refinement during this period, with updates often occurring during routine servicing, leading to variations in component configurations across surviving examples.

Evidence for this section
  • “Movement: Manual”
  • “The Speedmaster Reference 2998 was the second generation of OMEGA Speedmaster.”

Provenance and Identification

The watch is identified as reference 2998-3, manufactured in 1963. Documentation included with the watch consists of an 'Extract from the Archives' provided by OMEGA. This document serves as the formal record for the piece. The watch is currently presented on a leather strap.

Reference 2998 is noted for having eight different sub-references produced within a three-year window, reflecting the iterative evolution of the Speedmaster model during its early years. Due to the high frequency of design updates and the subsequent usage of replacement parts in secondary maintenance, the auction description notes that maintaining original configurations is a factor in identifying these watches.

Evidence for this section
  • “Made 1963”
  • “Accessories: Extract from the Archives”
  • “This has led to each sub-reference having its own particular features which were often updated throughout routine servicing making many watches an assembly of various service replacement parts.”

Open research questions

  • Does the movement serial number match the date provided in the Extract from the Archives?
  • Are the specific components (bezel, hands, dial) original to this case number or have they been replaced during servicing?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for OMEGA Speedmaster Reference 2998-3 Chronograph Wristwatch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Reference2998-3“2998-3”
Date of Manufacture1963“Made 1963”
Case Diameter38.5mm“38.5mm”
MaterialStainless steel“Stainless steel”
DialBlack matte dial with luminous painted baton indexes“Black matte dial with luminous painted baton indexes”
AccessoriesExtract from the Archives“Extract from the Archives”

Visible details

  • Black matte dial with subsidiary registers at 3, 6, and 9 o'clock.
  • Luminous baton-style hour and minute hands.
  • External tachymeter bezel with 'TACHYMETRE' marking.
  • Stainless steel case with two pushers and a crown on the right side.

Research qualifications

  • The source notes that many watches of this reference are assemblies of various service replacement parts.
  • The exact originality of individual components is not explicitly confirmed by the seller.

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

Stainless steel OMEGA ref. 2998-3 Speedmaster chronograph wristwatch. Made 1963

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record 3a5bebf985

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

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