A replica Speedmaster Apollo is a copy of an Omega Speedmaster Professional built for a moon mission anniversary. Omega holds the trademark. Selling counterfeits is a federal crime in the United States. The genuine editions have fixed reference numbers, piece counts, and movements. Copies match the look, not the parts.

Which Apollo Speedmasters exist

Omega released the Speedmaster in 1957. NASA flight-qualified the watch in March 1965 after thermal, vacuum, shock, and acceleration tests. Buzz Aldrin wore a Speedmaster, reference ST105.012, on the lunar surface on July 20, 1969. Neil Armstrong left his inside the lunar module.

Anniversary editions followed:

  • Apollo 11 40th Anniversary, 2009, 7,969 pieces.
  • Apollo 11 45th Anniversary, 2014, 1,969 pieces.
  • Apollo 11 50th Anniversary, 2019, reference 310.20.42.50.01.001, 6,969 pieces, caliber 1861.
  • Silver Snoopy Award, 2015, 1,970 pieces.
  • Silver Snoopy Award 50th Anniversary, 2020, reference 310.32.42.50.02.001, caliber 3861.

Omega received the Silver Snoopy Award from NASA astronauts in 1970 for the part the Speedmaster played in the Apollo 13 return.

Specs that define the model

  • Case: 42 mm, 20 mm lug width, 13 to 14 mm thick.
  • Dial: three sub-dials at 3, 6, and 9 o'clock. Tachymeter scale on the bezel.
  • Movement: caliber 1861 hand-wound through 2020. Caliber 3861 after, with Co-Axial escapement and METAS Master Chronometer certification.
  • Crystal: hesalite on the standard Moonwatch, sapphire on some editions.

Where copies differ

Most replica Speedmasters use an Asian hand-wound chronograph or a modified automatic. The automatic adds 1 to 2 mm of thickness and shifts sub-dial positions. Other gaps:

  • Sub-dial spacing. Copies sit wider or closer than the genuine 42 mm layout.
  • Caseback. Genuine editions carry a seahorse medallion and an engraved piece number.
  • Crystal. Mineral glass replaces hesalite or sapphire.
  • Weight. A steel Moonwatch on a bracelet weighs about 145 g. Copies run 120 to 140 g.

US law

18 U.S.C. § 2320 covers trafficking in counterfeit goods. A first offense carries up to 10 years in prison and a $2,000,000 fine for an individual. Repeat offenses reach 20 years. US Customs and Border Protection seizes counterfeit watches at ports. Trademark owners can record their marks with CBP to trigger seizure.

Checks before you compare listings

  1. Ask for the reference number. Compare it to Omega's published list.
  2. Ask for movement photos. Caliber 1861 and 3861 are hand-wound.
  3. Check the piece number on the caseback. Limited editions are numbered.
  4. Weigh the watch. Thickness and mass show the movement type.

Unknown details: replica factories change parts between batches, so two copies of one model can differ. No public database tracks those changes.