The Omega Speedmaster is known for being the first watch to hit the moon, this Omega timepiece is also common in a variety of fields, including motorsports. People still enjoy the Omega Speedmaster’s different flavors, from quartz to special-edition mechanicals, years after it was first introduced. Omega SA produces a range of chronograph wristwatches known as the Omega Speedmaster.
Omega launched this line of chronographs in 1957, the Speedmaster brand has been used to sell a variety of chronograph movements. The manual-winding Speedmaster Professional or “Moonwatch” is the most well-known and longest-produced; it was worn during NASA’s Gemini 4 mission and during the Apollo 11 flight, it was the first time an astronaut wore a watch while walking on the Moon. The Speedmaster Professional is now one of only a few watches certified by NASA for spaceflight and EVA. There are also analog-digital and automatic mechanical watches in the Omega Speedmaster line.
Progress in the Early Years
The Omega Speedmaster was not planned with space exploration in mind when it was first developed. Taking on the role of early chronographs from the 1920s and 1930s, such as Omega’s first small wrist chronograph, the Omega 28.9. It was introduced in 1957 as a sport and racing chronograph to supplement Omega’s position as the Olympic Games’ official timekeeper.
The name “Speedmaster” was inspired by the model’s unique tachymeter scale bezel (made of brushed stainless steel) and by the precedent set by Omega’s previous Seamaster and Railmaster brands. The model introduced the 12-hour, triple-register chronograph form, domed Plexiglas crystal – named “ Hésalite, and plain, high-contrast index markers to the series; however, it used Omega’s large arrow hand range, unlike most subsequent Speedmaster models.
The CK 2998, a second version, debuted in 1959 with a black aluminum base 1000 bezel and, later, a tachymeter 500 bezel and alpha hands in 2998-2. This was revamped again in 1963 with references ST 105.002, which held the alpha hands, and then ST 105.003, which had straight baton hands, and ST 105.012, which was the first Speedmaster with the “Professional” appellation on the dial, with an asymmetrical case to cover the chronograph pushers and crown, less than a year later. The Calibre 321 movement was used in all early Speedmasters, and it was only replaced in 1968/1969 with the introduction of the Calibre 861 movement, which was used in the “Moon watch.” The watches used on Apollo 11 were the “pre-Moon” 321 models from 1967.
Omega in Space
On October 3, 1962, astronaut Wally Schirra flew his personal CK 2998 aboard Mercury-Atlas 8 (Sigma 7) three years before the Speedmaster’s formal certification for space flight. According to an apocryphal anecdote replicated in Omega press materials and trade magazines, a range of commercial chronograph wristwatches were secretly purchased from Corrigan’s, a Houston jeweler, to test their use for the Gemini and Apollo Programs that same year.
This story has been called a “true creation” by James Ragan, a former NASA engineer in charge of Apollo flight hardware testing. Instead, some brands that were already familiar to the pilots who were joining the growing astronaut corps were invited to submit bids. Breitling, Rolex, and Omega, as well as other mechanical chronograph manufacturers, were among the brands under official consideration. Hamilton submitted a pocket watch, which was excluded, leaving Rolex, Longines-Wittnauer, and Omega as the only contenders.
On March 23, 1965, Gus Grissom and John Young wore the first officially trained Speedmasters on Gemini 3. During Gemini 4, Ed White made the first American spacewalk with a Speedmaster 105.003 strapped to the outside of his G4C space suit’s left-side sleeve. Speedmaster reference 105.012 was updated to reference 145.012 in 1966. These two Speedmaster references are believed to have been worn on the Moon by Apollo astronauts, and these two models will be the original “Moon watches.”
Speedmaster Automatic
The Omega Speedmaster Automatic, also known as the Speedmaster Reduced is a line of chronograph wristwatches designed by Omega SA and based on the Omega Speedmaster. The Omega Speedmaster Reduced debuted in 1988 as a smaller, less expensive version of the Omega Speedmaster. With a case diameter of 39mm, it is smaller than its bigger sibling, the Speedmaster Professional, which has a 42mm case. In 2009, the Speedmaster Reduced was discontinued. A Dubois Depraz chronograph module is placed on top of the Omega 3220’s base movement.
Omega’s New Speedmaster
Switzerland has unveiled a brand new caliber 3861 Co-Axial-equipped Speedmaster Pro for us, the unwashed terrestrial masses. The caliber 1861 Speedy Pro is out, and the new caliber 3861 is in for collectors with a penchant for the classic Speedmaster aesthetic. Omega has revealed that both sapphire crystal and Hesalite glass models of the new 3861 generation Speedmasters will be available.
Omega’s naming convention for ordinary plexiglass is Hesalite. The modern Speedmaster, on the other hand, has a few minor differences. Over time, the bracelet has improved in quality, the case dimensions have shifted slightly, and, of course, the packaging has become more opulent. The new Moonwatch also includes a loupe for inspecting the watch’s data.
Sapphire, on the other hand, is the staple of modern watchmaking for a reason: it’s scratch-proof, crisply clear, and resistant to nicks and dings that would leave noticeable marks on Hesalite. The comparisons BA 345.0802 and BA 145.0039 were the first to feature a sapphire case back on a Speedmaster. This was a limited-edition model created to celebrate the watch’s re-qualification for manned space flight in 1978. Many of the examples were shipped to the German market in the early 1980s, and the case back was snap-on.
An Investment You Should Make
Omega is one of the oldest Swiss watch brands, with a long and illustrious history to match. Omega watches have been to the moon, been in space numerous times, been used in countless Olympic Games, been used in a large number of James Bond films, and much more in their history. All of these factors have helped to establish the Omega brand as one of the most prestigious and well-respected in the watch industry. The fact that Omega produces technically advanced and high-quality timepieces that last generations is, of course, the most important factor.
