Brand | Omega Speedmaster, Omega |
---|---|
Model | |
Reference | 145.022-69ST |
Year of production (circa) | 1971 |
Material | Steel |
Crystal | Acrylic |
Dial color | Black |
Movement | Hand-wound |
Diameter | 42 mm |
Bracelet/strap: | Steel |
Lug Width | 20 mm |
Set Content | Original box & papers |
Omega Speedmaster Ref. 145.022-69 Straight writing
A rugged-looking Speedmaster with something special hiding on the back…
This 145.022-69 features the rare “Straight writing” caseback. These casebacks came in two variants, one that was only made for the Japanese market and the one we see here. “The first watch worn on the moon” is featured in the center of the caseback, where we usually find the famous Hyppocampus. These casebacks were made by Huguenin Freres and are considered rare.
Beyond the special backside, this example has not been recently refinished, resulting in a rugged aesthetic. The case and 1171 bracelet show that this watch has been places. And of course, this model still featured the coveted “Step dial” which gives the watch face a more three-dimensional look. This great Speedmaster comes with the original box and papers.
Come and have a look at this watch in our store at Reestraat 3 in Amsterdam!
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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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