A watch for eternity
The Omega Speedmaster is one of the greatest watch classics of all. Like the Rolex Submariner or the Patek Philippe Nautilus, the Moonwatch has been only very cautiously modified over the decades. For this reason, the 1969 Speedmaster looks confusingly similar to the current references at first glance.
However, it is not only this timelessness but also the legendary history of the Apollo adventures that you get on your wrist with an Omega Speedmaster 1969: the Speedmaster has been part of NASA's official equipment since 1965. In addition to the first moon landing on 21 July 1969, the Moonwatch played a life-saving role in the Apollo 13 mission, after an oxygen tank exploded; the astronauts timed a 14-second window with the chronograph so that they could successfully re-enter the Earth's atmosphere.
Historical significance of the references
In connection with the first moon landing, four references of the Omega Speedmaster 1969 are of particular importance:
- Ref. 105.003 (1964 to 1969): "Ed White", named after Gemini and Apollo astronaut Edward White. The watch is particularly distinguished by its straight lugs.
- Ref. 105.012 (1964 to 1968): Although this reference was discontinued before the first moon landing, Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong wore a Ref. 105.012 on the Apollo 11 mission. This reference featured the first "Professional" lettering on the dial.
- Ref. 145.012 (1967/1968 to 1969): The Ref. 145.012 was worn by both Michael Collins (Apollo 11) and Alan Shepard (Apollo 14) during their missions in space.
- Ref. 145.022 (1968 to 1988): The Ref. 145.022, in which the Cal. 861 was fitted for the first time, is one of the longest-produced Speedmaster references.