A fake Speedmaster 1957 5th generation is a replica of the Omega Speedmaster reference CK2915, the 1957 original, sold as the fifth revision from a replica factory. The generation number comes from sellers and watch forums, not from Omega, so it describes a batch of fixes rather than an official model code.
Two sellers can both list a 5th generation Speedmaster 1957 and ship different watches. There is no registry, no standard, and no factory that stamps a generation on the caseback.
Why the "5th Generation" Label Exists
Replica makers do not advertise version numbers. The counting is done by sellers and collectors who compare batches side by side and treat each round of corrections as a new generation.
A 5th generation listing means the seller believes this is the fifth pass on the same 1957 Speedmaster build. Treat it as a claim about quality, not a fact you can verify from a photo alone.
What the Real 1957 Speedmaster Looks Like
The first Speedmaster, reference CK2915, went on sale in 1957 and shares little with the modern Moonwatch. Knowing its traits helps you judge any replica that claims to copy it.
- Broad arrow hands instead of the baton and stick set used later.
- A steel tachymeter bezel marked base 1000 rather than the dot-over-90 aluminum insert.
- Calibre 321, a column wheel chronograph movement.
- A case near 38mm to 39mm with straight lugs and no crown guards.
- A dial with a printed logo and a Speedmaster line that has a long tail on the final R.
Omega brought the design back in 2017 as a limited reissue, and those modern versions are the models most replicas chase today.
What Changes in a 5th Generation Replica
Each round of revisions targets the flaws buyers complain about. The 5th generation tag most often points to a corrected case profile, sharper dial print, and better sub-dial spacing than the batch before it.
- Case shape: mid-case curves, lug width, and the step at the crystal edge.
- Dial print: font weight, gap between the logo and the text, and the tail of the R.
- Bezel: engraved base 1000 scale, font depth, and steel finish.
- Hands: broad arrow shape, length, and lume fill.
- Movement: quartz at the low end, a Seagull ST19 hand-wound chronograph higher up.
- Crystal: mineral, sapphire, or a domed acrylic look.
A seller who lists a 5th generation Speedmaster 1957 should be able to show photos of those six areas on the exact watch you will receive.
How to Check a Speedmaster 1957 Replica Before You Buy
Caseback and markings
Ask for a clear shot of the caseback. Original CK2915 cases carry a hippocampus medallion and stamped reference numbers, and many replicas get the engraving depth or the font wrong.
Dial and hands
Compare the broad arrow hands against photos of the original. On cheap copies the hands look flat, the lume sits uneven, and the sub-dials crowd the center of the dial.
Movement
A hand-wound chronograph with a firm pusher feel points to an ST19 or a copy of it. A second hand that jumps once per second means quartz, which is fine for a budget buy but changes what the watch is worth.
Weight and case size
Measure the case if you can. A 1957 style case should land near 38mm to 39mm across, and the watch should feel dense on the wrist rather than hollow.
The 2017 Reissue and Why Replicas Copy It
Omega marked the 60th anniversary in 2017 with a limited reissue of the 1957 Speedmaster, sold alone and in a three-watch set with the Seamaster 300 and Railmaster. The reissue kept the broad arrow hands and the base 1000 bezel but ran on the calibre 1861 and used modern materials.
That mix is why copies exist. The reissue looks vintage from across a room but carries a movement and crystal that buyers wanted in 2017, so copy makers had a clear target to work from.
What a 5th Generation Replica Costs
Replica Speedmasters sit in a wide band. Quartz versions start near $100, hand-wound chronograph copies run about $200 to $350, and sellers asking much more are charging for the story rather than the watch.
Price says nothing about the generation number. A $300 watch from one seller can be a better build than a $400 watch sold as 5th gen by another.
Buying Checklist for a 1957 Speedmaster Replica
- Ask which factory and which batch, then ask for photos of that exact watch.
- Request close-ups of the caseback, the dial, and the movement.
- Confirm the movement type in writing before you pay.
- Check the case diameter and lug width against the 38mm to 39mm original.
- Ask about the return window and the shipping terms.
Questions Buyers Ask
Does the 5th generation replica have a working chronograph?
Most hand-wound versions do. The pushers start, stop, and reset the central seconds hand, and the sub-dials track minutes and running seconds.
Can a watchmaker tell it is a replica?
Yes. A trained eye checks the movement finish, the caseback engraving, and the dial print, and those three areas are hard to copy at replica prices.
Is 5th generation the same as super clone?
No. Super clone is a marketing word for a high-end replica, while 5th generation only says the seller counts five revision rounds on that model. A super clone can be any generation.
Do replica Speedmasters hold value?
No. Replicas sell on looks and build quality, not resale. Treat the money as spent the day it leaves the seller.
Which size should I pick?
The 1957 design is small by modern standards at 38mm to 39mm. If you wear a 42mm Moonwatch now, the 1957 case will feel light and narrow on the wrist, so check measurements before you order.