Omega Speedmaster Professional 3572.50 42mm 2007 Full Set

Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch Ref. 3572.50

Introduction

Produced from the mid-1990s through to the early 2000s, the Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch reference 3572.50 represents one of the most distinctive evolutions in the Speedmaster line. With its combination of a hesalite crystal on the front and a sapphire display caseback on the rear, this model bridged the traditional tool-watch era of the Moonwatch with a modern appreciation for mechanical craftsmanship. It retained the historic 42mm case, manual-wind movement, and three-register layout that made the Speedmaster an icon, while adding a new level of transparency and finishing that allowed wearers to appreciate the movement within.

The Heritage of the Speedmaster

Introduced in 1957 under the reference CK2915, the Omega Speedmaster began life as a chronograph for motorsport timing, not space travel. Its tachymeter bezel, legible dial, and durable case quickly set a design standard. When NASA selected the Speedmaster Professional for its manned space missions in the 1960s, its reputation changed forever. The watch became the first wristwatch worn on the Moon in 1969 during the Apollo 11 mission, establishing the “Moonwatch” name.

Over the decades that followed, Omega maintained the Speedmaster’s essential character while refining details like movement finish, lume type, and bracelet construction. The 3572.50 emerged during a transitional period, combining the vintage hesalite crystal front of early models with a modern sapphire exhibition back. This allowed enthusiasts to view the manual-wind calibre while preserving the Moonwatch aesthetic.

Reference 3572.50 Overview

The Speedmaster 3572.50 features a 42mm stainless steel case with twisted lyre lugs, brushed upper surfaces, and polished case flanks. It uses the traditional black dial, white printing, and three sub-dials for running seconds, 30-minute, and 12-hour chronograph counters. The bezel insert is black anodised aluminium with a tachymeter scale, retaining the tool-like charm of its predecessors.

The front crystal remains hesalite, chosen for its resistance to shattering under pressure, while the caseback is sapphire, offering a clear view of the manual-wind calibre 1863 movement. This unique combination led to the phrase “Hesalite soul, sapphire vision” among Speedmaster enthusiasts. The reference was produced alongside the solid-back 3570.50, but stands apart as the more mechanically expressive version.

Case and Construction

The asymmetrical 42mm case used on the 3572.50 was first introduced in the mid-1960s and has remained a defining feature of the Speedmaster Professional. The crown and pushers are slightly recessed into the right side of the case to protect them from impact. The mix of brushed and polished finishing gives the watch both visual depth and a sense of refinement.

The hesalite crystal rises slightly above the bezel, creating a soft distortion effect that gives the watch its distinctive warm glow. Unlike sapphire, hesalite can be polished to remove scratches easily. The caseback, however, departs from tradition with its sapphire exhibition window, framed by an engraved steel ring bearing the words “Flight-Qualified by NASA for All Manned Space Missions” and “The First Watch Worn on the Moon.” This combination of heritage text and modern transparency defines the model’s identity.

The watch is 14mm thick and water-resistant to 50 metres. It wears comfortably due to its curved lugs and balanced weight distribution, making it as practical as it is historically grounded.

Dial and Hands

The dial of the 3572.50 follows the classic Moonwatch layout. It features a matte black finish with high-contrast white markers and text for exceptional legibility. The sub-dials at 3, 6, and 9 o’clock are slightly recessed, providing subtle depth and texture.

The hands are white-painted baton style with luminous inserts, paired with a central chronograph seconds hand with a fine pointed tip. The hour markers are luminous dots adjacent to applied indices. Early examples use tritium for the lume, marked “T SWISS MADE T” at the bottom of the dial, while later versions feature Super-LumiNova and are simply marked “SWISS MADE.”

The visual symmetry of the dial is one of the reasons the Speedmaster design has endured largely unchanged for over six decades. Its combination of clarity, proportion, and functionality remains one of the benchmarks of chronograph design.

Movement: Calibre 1863

Inside the 3572.50 is the Omega calibre 1863, a manual-wind chronograph movement derived from the legendary Lemania 1873. It is essentially the same as the calibre 1861 found in the solid-back version, but with rhodium-plated bridges and more elaborate finishing for display through the sapphire caseback.

The movement operates at 21,600 vibrations per hour and offers a power reserve of approximately 48 hours. It uses a cam-actuated chronograph mechanism, known for durability and ease of maintenance. While not a chronometer-certified movement, the 1863 is known for consistent performance and resilience.

Finishing details include Geneva stripes on the bridges, polished screws, and perlage on the mainplate. The architecture of the movement remains faithful to the Moonwatch’s manual tradition, reinforcing the link between this reference and the watches worn during the Apollo program.

Bracelet and Clasp

The 3572.50 was delivered on several bracelet configurations over its production run, most commonly the reference 1498/840 or 1499/842. These stainless steel bracelets feature solid end links, a mix of brushed and polished finishing, and a secure folding clasp engraved with the Omega logo.

The bracelet’s tapering profile contributes to comfort and gives the watch a balanced wrist presence. The 20mm lug width also allows easy strap changes, and many owners enjoy pairing the 3572.50 with leather, NATO, or rubber straps to suit different occasions.

Later models transitioned to the 1998/849 bracelet, which offered slightly improved build quality but maintained the same visual continuity. Regardless of configuration, the bracelet reinforces the watch’s versatility as both a functional chronograph and an everyday companion.

Production Timeline and Context

The reference 3572.50 appeared in Omega’s catalogue during the 1990s, around the time when the brand began to refine the Speedmaster range. Its immediate predecessor was the reference 3592.50, which paired a similar sapphire display back with a gilt-finished calibre 863. The 3572.50 replaced that model, introducing the rhodium-plated calibre 1863 and updated finishing.

Around 1997, Omega transitioned the luminous material from tritium to Super-LumiNova, making early 3572.50 examples particularly interesting as transitional pieces. Production continued into the early 2000s, when the model was succeeded by the 3573.50, which featured sapphire crystals on both sides.

As such, the 3572.50 occupies a unique moment in the Speedmaster lineage—it retains the tactile warmth and authenticity of vintage Moonwatches while offering modern movement visibility.

Wearability and Character

On the wrist, the 3572.50 delivers the quintessential Speedmaster experience. The 42mm case sits securely but not heavily, thanks to its balanced design and curved lugs. The combination of hesalite and sapphire gives it a tactile charm that blends the vintage and contemporary.

The hesalite softens the look of the dial, giving it depth and warmth, while the sapphire back invites the wearer to engage with the movement. This contrast—tool-watch practicality at the front and refined craftsmanship at the back—makes the 3572.50 one of the most versatile iterations of the Moonwatch.

Final Thoughts

The Omega Speedmaster Professional 3572.50 remains one of the most balanced and historically faithful versions of the Moonwatch. Its 42mm case, hesalite front, sapphire back, and calibre 1863 movement embody the best of both old and new Omega craftsmanship.

It offers everything that makes the Speedmaster special: a connection to space exploration, mechanical integrity, and timeless design. For those who appreciate watches that carry genuine history while being practical for daily wear, the 3572.50 captures the essence of the Speedmaster lineage with quiet confidence.

(References: Omega Archives; Fratello Watches “Speedmaster 3572.50: The Transitional Moonwatch,” 2022; Hodinkee “A Guide to the Omega Speedmaster Professional,” 2021; Chrono24 Omega Reference Database; Crown Vintage listings; WatchBase Calibre 1863 specifications.)

• Case in great condition, light hairlines visible.
• Bracelet is also in great condition, with some stretch visible.

Dial & hands excellent.