What Is the Replica Speedmaster 1957 4th Generation?
The replica Speedmaster 1957 4th generation is the current top-tier copy of Omega's 1957 CK2915 Broad Arrow Speedmaster, the watch Omega brought back in 2007 for the model's 50th anniversary. Gen 4 fixes the two flaws that hurt earlier copies: subdial spacing and case profile. The result is a hand-wound chronograph that reads as a Broad Arrow Speedmaster from arm's length.
The name has two parts. "Speedmaster 1957" points to the original reference and its anniversary reissue. "4th generation" is replica-market shorthand for the fourth major round of tooling used to build the case and dial.
The Watch Being Copied
The 1957 CK2915 was the first Speedmaster. It used broad arrow hands, a steel tachymeter bezel, straight lugs with no crown guards, and a hand-wound column wheel chronograph inside.
- 42mm steel case with straight, narrow lugs
- Black dial with broad arrow hour and minute hands
- Steel tachymeter bezel instead of the later black insert
- Manual-wind chronograph movement
The 2007 anniversary reissue copied those traits, and that reissue is what most gen 4 factories target.
Why Generations Matter in the Replica Market
Factories do not start over each year. They retool in steps, and each step gets a number. Gen 1 copies were crude. Gen 2 and gen 3 improved the case but left tells on the dial. Gen 4 is the round where the dial layout, case shape, and bezel print line up with the anniversary watch.
What Changed From Gen 1 to Gen 4?
Each generation answered a specific complaint from buyers. Knowing the pattern helps you spot an older watch sold as a newer one.
- Gen 1: quartz or low-beat automatic movement, crowded subdials, thick case walls.
- Gen 2: better case proportions, but subdials sat too far apart and the crystal was flat.
- Gen 3: closer dial print, yet soft lug edges and a bezel with the wrong numeral font.
- Gen 4: correct three-counter layout, sharper lug bevels, domed crystal, and a hand-wound chronograph movement.
The jump from gen 3 to gen 4 is the one that matters. Earlier rounds looked right in photos and wrong on the wrist. Gen 4 holds up in daylight.
How to Tell a Gen 4 From a Gen 3
Most sellers describe a watch as "4th generation" even when it is older stock. Check these points before you pay.
- Subdial spacing. The three counters should sit tight to the center and clear the 6 and 9 positions. Wide spacing means an old dial.
- Lug profile. Gen 4 lugs carry a crisp bevel and a straight drop. Gen 3 lugs look rounded and soft.
- Crystal height. A domed crystal that rises above the bezel is a gen 4 trait. A flat crystal is not.
- Bezel print. The tachymeter numerals should be thin and even. Thick or smeared print is a gen 3 tell.
- Caseback. Look for the Seahorse medallion with the correct outer text ring. Blurry engraving is a red flag.
- Hands. Broad arrow hands should be flat, black-filled, and the same width as each other.
The phrase "replica speedmaster 1957 4rd generation" shows up often in listings, typo included. Treat the spelling as noise and judge the watch on the six points above.
Which Movement Should You Expect?
Movement choice separates a wearable gen 4 from a paperweight. The original watch was hand-wound, so the closest copies use a manual chronograph.
Seagull ST19
The ST19 is a Chinese column wheel chronograph based on an older Venus design. It winds by hand, runs at 21,600 vph, and gives the right pusher feel. Most gen 4 Speedmaster 1957 replicas use it.
Automatic 7750 Clones
Some builds use a clone of the ETA 7750. It works, but the rotor adds height and the pushers feel stiffer than the original. Case thickness grows by about a millimeter, which you can see from the side.
Quartz
Quartz versions exist at the bottom of the market. They cost far less and tick once per second instead of sweeping. Avoid them if you care about the chronograph experience.
Case, Bezel, and Dial Details That Decide Quality
A gen 4 case should measure 42mm across, with a lug width that matches the anniversary reissue so aftermarket straps fit. Ask the seller for caliper photos instead of trusting a spec sheet.
- Bezel: steel with a printed tachymeter scale, seated flush to the case.
- Dial: matte black with a fine minute track and clean subdial rings.
- Hands: broad arrow hour and minute hands, thin chronograph seconds, small counter hands.
- Lume: a soft green glow that fades, not a bright white that dies in minutes.
- Crystal: domed, with a slight distortion at the edges.
Photograph the watch under a desk lamp before you accept it. Bad print and loose hands show up fast under hard light.
What Does a 4th Generation Replica Cost?
Most gen 4 Speedmaster 1957 listings land between about $250 and $450, with a manual chronograph at the top of that band. Quartz builds sell for under $120 and automatic versions sit in the middle.
Price alone does not prove quality. A $400 watch with a quartz movement and a flat crystal is worse than a $280 watch with an ST19 and a domed crystal. Compare movement, crystal, and dial photos side by side before you choose.
Where the 4th Generation Still Falls Short
Gen 4 is the best copy available, not a perfect one. These gaps stay in place across most builds.
- Water resistance is rated for splashes at most. Do not swim with it.
- Caseback engraving lacks the depth of the original stamping.
- Bracelet end links and clasp finish fall behind the case quality.
- Lume fades faster than the genuine watch.
- Service support is limited, so a watchmaker who works on the ST19 is worth knowing.
Buying Checklist
- Ask for the movement name and a photo of the caseback removed.
- Request caliper readings for case diameter, thickness, and lug width.
- Get daylight photos of the dial, bezel, and lugs from three angles.
- Confirm crystal type and height.
- Check the return window before payment.
- Budget for a strap swap. Most gen 4 bracelets are the weak link.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 4th generation Speedmaster 1957 replica worth buying?
Yes, if you want the Broad Arrow look on a manual chronograph and accept the limits on water resistance and service. It is the best version of this copy to date.
Does a gen 4 replica have a working chronograph?
Manual and automatic versions do. The pushers start, stop, and reset the center seconds and the two counters. Quartz versions also work but feel different.
Does it take genuine Omega straps?
Straps fit if the lug width matches the reissue, which gen 4 usually does. Bracelet end links from Omega will not fit the replica case.
How long does a gen 4 last?
An ST19 that is wound with care and kept dry can run for years. Have it cleaned when the chronograph starts to feel gritty.