Why We Love It

Houston, We have a gem!

There might be nothing more important or iconic in a watch collection than an Omega Speedmaster. 

Over the years, Omega has released innumerable commemorative and special edition Speedmasters to celebrate the anniversaries of their most important missions. Understandably, none has been more celebrated than Apollo XI, spawning many limited edition watches beginning in 1969 with a run of 18K solid yellow gold Speedmasters commemorating NASA’s successful landing that year.

This particular piece launched in 1989 as a celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the Apollo XI mission. It is in near mint, practically unworn condition with the factory red seal that testifies that this watch has never been opened. The black matte tritium dial is in as-new condition with hints of patination throughout the luminous elements.

On the side of the 41mm twisted lug case, you can find “Apollo XI 1969” engraved in commemoration to NASA's greatest achievement. 

This near-mint Speedy deserves to go with its future owner to frontiers unseen by mankind, a must have!

The Story

Despite its considerable extraterrestrial heritage, in the beginning the Speedmaster was only intended for terrestrial pursuits. Omega released the Speedmaster in 1957, in the midst of a craze for racing chronographs. The name "Speedmaster" followed the naming trend set by the Seamaster and Railmaster models, and was also a subtle nod to the innovative brushed stainless steel tachymeter bezel. The first reference of Speedmaster, the CK 2915, contained the Lemania Calibre .321 movement, developed by famed movement-maker Albert Piguet in 1946. Over the next few years, the Speedmaster saw multiple changes in dial and hand configurations, but at its heart retained the design elements that would be carried down through the decades: the triple-register layout, domed Hesalite crystal, and of course, the tachymeter bezel, signifying Omega's intention for the Speedmaster to be used in automotive sports.

Who knows - had NASA not pinpointed the Speedmaster for use in manned spaceflight, perhaps it would only be regarded among the great racing chronographs like the Heuer Autavia or the Rolex Daytona?