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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · Chronograph

Omega Speedmaster Reference 2998-61

Partially verified

This Omega Speedmaster, reference 2998-61, is an early production chronograph powered by the manual-wind Calibre 321 movement. It features a 39mm stainless steel case with straight lugs and pump-style pushers. The watch includes a black stepped dial with an applied Omega logo and hour markers treated with aged, pumpkin-colored luminous material. It is equipped with Alpha-style hands and a tachymeter bezel containing a 'Dot Over 90' configuration. The caseback is a double-step design engraved with the Hippocampus emblem. The timepiece is fitted with a flat-link stainless steel bracelet, which includes end links marked '6' and a clasp stamped with the date '1/60'. This watch is identified as part of the 2998 series, a reference associated with early human spaceflight.

Front view of the Omega Speedmaster reference 2998-61 on a flat-link bracelet.
Front view of the Omega Speedmaster reference 2998-61 on a flat-link bracelet. — Bulang & Sons. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.bulangandsons.com
Category
Wristwatch · Chronograph
Maker / attribution
Omega
Reference
2998-61
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
1961
Source-reported place
Switzerland
Source-reported serial
1958xxxx

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 Design

The watch features a 39mm stainless steel case characterized by straight lugs and pump-style pushers. The aesthetic is defined by a black stepped dial, which incorporates the applied Omega logo and markers filled with aged, pumpkin-colored luminous material. The watch is fitted with an Alpha-style hand set.

The external bezel is a tachymeter type, documented as having the 'Dot Over 90' configuration. The reverse of the watch is a double-step caseback, which bears the engraving of the Seahorse or Hippocampus emblem.

Evidence for this section
  • “39 mm steel Straight lug case”
  • “Black step dial with applied Omega logo , pumpkin coloured lume”
  • “Alpha hand set”
  • ““Dot over 90 “ tachymeter bezel”
  • “Double step case back with Hippocampus logo”

Movement and Bracelet

The timepiece is powered by the manual-wind Omega Calibre 321 movement. The vendor reports that the movement serial number 1958xxxx dates the production of the watch to 1961. The watch has undergone a service by the vendor's watchmaker.

The watch is accompanied by a flat-link stainless steel bracelet. The end links are stamped with the number '6'. The clasp of the bracelet features a production stamp marked '1 60', indicating a 1960 manufacturing date for this component.

Evidence for this section
  • “Cal 321 hand wound movement”
  • “Movement Serial 1958xxxx dating to 1961”
  • “Omega flat link bracelet with end links marked 6 and production stamp 1 60 on clasp”

Series Heritage

The 2998 series is part of the early Speedmaster history. The source notes that this reference is famously referred to as the 'First Omega in Space' due to its relationship with the reference 2998-4 worn by astronaut Wally Schirra during the 1962 Mercury-Atlas 8 mission.

This historical association establishes the 2998 series as an early example of the model within the context of space exploration, though the source does not suggest this specific watch was used in such missions.

Evidence for this section
  • “The 2998 series is famously known as the “First Omega in Space,” after astronaut Wally Schirra wore his personal Speedmaster 2998-4 during the Mercury-Atlas 8 mission in 1962”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific production month or batch for the 1958xxxx movement serial range?
  • Has the luminous material been professionally restored or is it original to the 1961 production date?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Omega Speedmaster Reference 2998-61
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Model reference2998-61“Omega Speedmaster Reference 2998 -61”
Case size39 mm“39 mm steel Straight lug case”
Movement calibre321“Cal 321 hand wound movement”
Movement serial1958xxxx“Movement Serial 1958xxxx dating to 1961”
Bezel styleDot Over 90““Dot over 90 “ tachymeter bezel”
Hand styleAlpha“Alpha hand set”
Bracelet clasp date1/60“production stamp 1 60 on clasp”
Bracelet end link mark6“end links marked 6”

Visible details

  • Applied Omega logo on the dial
  • Alpha-style hands with visible aging
  • 'Dot Over 90' configuration on the tachymeter bezel
  • 'Hippocampus' emblem on the caseback

Research qualifications

  • The exact month of the 1961 production year is not specified beyond the movement serial number data.
  • The historical connection to the 2998 series as a 'First Omega in Space' is a reference-wide association rather than an individual provenance for this specific watch.

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

Consulted source

Omega Speedmaster 2998 -61

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record d06f60da46

Terms in this record

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

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