A fake Speedmaster 1957 4rd generation is a counterfeit copy of the Omega Speedmaster 1957 Trilogy, sold by replica makers and numbered by them as the fourth version of that copy. The "4rd" spelling is a common typo for "4th" that spread through forum posts and marketplace listings, so both spellings refer to the same watch. It is not an Omega product, it does not contain an Omega movement, and in the United States it cannot legally be imported or resold.
Most people who search this phrase fall into one of two groups. The first owns a watch and wants to know whether it is real. The second is reading a listing that claims a fourth-generation copy is "almost identical" to the original. Both questions come down to the same set of physical checks.
What the genuine Speedmaster 1957 Trilogy actually is
Omega released the Speedmaster 1957 Trilogy in 2017 to mark 60 years since the first Speedmaster. The Speedmaster within that release revived the earliest layout: broad arrow hands, a steel case of roughly 38.6 mm, a "base 1000" tachymeter bezel, and a dial carrying the early Speedmaster printing. The watch used the hand-wound calibre 1861 and was produced in a numbered, limited run.
That combination is what replica factories try to reproduce. It also explains why the fakes are easy to compare against a known reference: the original is a documented, photographed, serial-numbered watch with published specifications.
Where "generation" numbers come from
Replica sellers use generation labels to suggest improvement over earlier attempts. A fourth-generation listing usually claims better case proportions, sharper dial printing, or a smoother chronograph action than the version before it. There is no central authority behind these numbers. Two sellers can label different watches as "4th gen" in the same month, and a fifth generation can appear as soon as a factory changes a supplier. Treat the number as marketing, not as a specification.
Checks that separate a replica from a real 1957 Speedmaster
- Dial printing. On the genuine watch, the "Speedmaster" script and the minute track are crisp and evenly spaced. Copies tend to show thick or slightly uneven lettering, and the sub-dial rings can sit off center.
- Broad arrow hands. The arrow shape, the length of the tail, and the finish of the steel should match Omega's published photographs. Replica hands are often slightly short or too flat.
- Bezel insert. The base 1000 scale should be legible and correctly spaced, with a dot over 90 on original-spec inserts. Faded or misaligned numerals are a warning sign.
- Caseback engraving. Reference numbers, the hippocampus, and the limited-edition numbering should be deep and clean. Laser-etched or shallow engraving points to a copy.
- Movement. A hand-wound calibre 1861 has a specific finish, bridge shape, and balance cock. Counterfeit movements rarely match, and many replicas hide the difference behind a solid caseback.
- Crown and pushers. The signed crown should seat flush, and the chronograph pushers should have a firm, consistent click.
- Crystal and lume. Original-spec watches use a period-correct crystal with a soft dome. Cheap replicas often use flat mineral glass, and the lume color is frequently too bright or too green.
Why the fourth generation still is not the real thing
Replica makers copy appearance, not engineering. Movement finishing, chronograph precision, water resistance, and long-term serviceability are the parts buyers cannot see in a listing photo, and those are exactly the parts that differ most. A counterfeit also cannot be serviced by Omega, carries no warranty, and loses any resale value the moment it is identified.
Legal and customs reality in the United States
Counterfeit watches infringe a registered trademark. U.S. Customs and Border Protection can seize and destroy shipments of counterfeit goods, and selling them exposes a seller to civil liability and, in some cases, criminal charges. Buying a fake for personal use may avoid prosecution, but it does not make the watch legal to import, and it does not give you any recourse if the watch arrives broken or is stopped at the border.
How to verify a 1957 Speedmaster before you buy
- Ask for the reference number, the limited-edition number, and clear photographs of the caseback, dial, and movement.
- Compare those photographs against Omega's own published images of the 1957 Trilogy, not against seller photos.
- Request a service record or an extract from the Omega archives where available.
- Have an independent watchmaker open the case and confirm the movement before money changes hands.
- Walk away from any listing that uses generation labels instead of a reference number.
If a seller cannot answer those questions, the watch is either a replica or a genuine piece being sold without documentation. Either way, the price should reflect it, and in the case of the replica, no price is a good one.