| Brand | Omega Speedmaster |
|---|---|
| Model | |
| Reference | 145.022 |
| Year of production (circa) | 1989 |
| Material | Steel |
| Crystal | Acrylic |
| Dial color | Black |
| Movement | Hand-wound |
| Diameter | 42 mm |
| Bracelet/strap: | Steel |
| Lug Width | 20 mm |
| Set Content | Original box |
A-Omega Speedmaster
Omega Speedmaster Ref. 145.022 “Apollo XI 1969 “
The moonwatch!
It was back in 1957 when Omega launched the first Speedmaster, originally as a racing chronograph. Little did they know that the Speedy would acquire world fame and a legendary status for a very different reason…
The Speedy was then worn on all Apollo moon missions and many later projects as well. Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin wore theirs on that very first moon landing (although Armstrong left his in the cabin during the very first steps we have all seen tons of times). It even played a crucial role in bringing back Apollo 13 safely, for which it was later celebrated with a Snoopy award.
The Speedmaster Professional has remained virtually unchanged since those days. Sure, the 321 movement was replaced by the 861 in the late sixties, but functionally and aesthetically, the watch has been maintained in its pure form. And amazingly, it looks just as fresh and contemporary today as it did back then. The hallmark of a truly great, timeless design.
The one on offer here is from 1989 and comes with its original box.On the side of the case is the engraving ‘Apollo XI 1969. A limited edition in honor of 20 years after the first moonwalk. The first 4000 pices were not numbered, this is one of them. It also features the more classical bracelet, which drapes around the wrist more narrowly than the current model does. This optically shrinks the watch far below what its 42mm girth would suggest, making it suitable for pretty much anyone.
You just cannot go wrong with a Speedmaster Professional. Is this yours?
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Details
Backstory
Shipping
Brand
Omega Speedmaster
Movement
Hand-wound
Model
Speedmaster
Diameter
42 mm
Reference
145.022
Bracelet/strap:
Steel
Year of production (circa)
1989
Lug Width
20 mm
Material
Steel
Set Content
Original box
Crystal
Acrylic
Warranty
2 year (AWCo)
Dial color
Black
The Omega Speedmaster was introduced in 1957, as a racing chronograph. Little did Omega know that a different fate altogether awaited their creation.
When John F. Kennedy announced that the USA would put a man on the moon before the end of the 1960’s, NASA went into overdrive. The Gemini and Apollo missions would all culminate in “One small step for man…” in 1969.
One detail within that endeavor, is the selection of a proper watch for the space missions. NASA started putting a number of chronographs from different brands under extreme stress. Shock, temperature change, vibration, humidity, the watches were spared no horror. The Speedmaster came out on top in 1965 and was selected as the watch of choice. No slick marketing deals here. Chosen on merit alone.
Coincidentally, astronaut Wally Schirra already wore his personal Ref. CK2998 Speedmaster on a Mercury mission in 1962. In 1965, Ed White would go on the first ever spacewalk wearing a NASA-issued Ref. 105.003-65.
From 1965 onwards, all Apollo astronauts wore Speedmasters. Including Buzz Aldrin when he set foot on the moon, wearing his Ref. 105.012. Neil Armstrong had left his Speedy in the lunar module when setting those legendary first steps.
In 1970, Apollo 13 got into serious trouble after a service-module oxygen tank ruptured. With most systems down, the astronauts had to manually time 14-second rocket bursts in order to get back to earth. They used Jack Swigert’s Speedmaster for the job. Omega was awarded the Snoopy award in recognition of the crucial role of the watch in a safe return. A comic character featured on many special editions since.
Aesthetically, the Speedmaster Professional has not changed much since those days. A rough division can be made between pre-moon and post-moon Speedies. The transition point is the inclusion of the “Flight qualified by NASA” inscriptions on the case back, although some people erroneously mark 321 caliber Speedies as pre-moon and 861 caliber variants as post-moon.
For the keen-eyed, there are tons of subtle variations within the Speedmaster line. And that is before we look at the broader Speedy-scope, with all its special editions and interestingly-shaped Mark models. You can really go deep on Speedy-specifics. Regardless of which precise variant you settle on, you will have an iconic watch with the single best backstory ever.
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We strive to promptly handle packages to minimize delays. Delivery times begin from the day of dispatch. While we make every effort to ensure smooth delivery, we cannot be held responsible for delays caused by destination customs, local duties, taxes, or lost items during transit.
Certainly, we understand that overloaded mail-order companies can also contribute to potential delays in the delivery process. Despite our best efforts, external factors beyond our control may affect shipping times. Rest assured, we remain committed to providing timely service and will work diligently to ensure your order reaches you as promptly as possible. For any inquiries or updates, feel free to reach out to us at info@awco.nl. Your satisfaction is our priority.