Omega Speedmaster

About this reference

The Omega Speedmaster reference 2998-61 was produced for approximately one year between 1961 and 1962. It represents the penultimate iteration of the 2998 series, characterized by its 39mm straight-lug stainless steel case without crown guards and the manual-wind Calibre 321 movement. Collectors prioritize this reference for its transitional features, specifically the introduction of the "dagger" or "alpha" subdial hands alongside the central alpha chronograph hands and the "Dot Over Ninety" (DON) tachymeter bezel. As one of the final pre-Professional models, its rarity is driven by its short production window. Current secondary market valuations typically range from $25,000 to $50,000 depending on component originality and bezel condition. A notable production detail for the 2998-61 is the shift toward the spear-shaped large chronograph seconds hand, which replaced the straight needle hand found on earlier sub-references.