"The First Omega In Space" Vintage Speedmaster Returns
Omega has announced a new version of its celebrated Speedmaster watch, one that pays overt tribute to its space-age legacy.
Sixty-two years ago today, October 3, the American aviator, test pilot and Nasa astronaut Walter “Wally” Schirra blasted off from Launch Complex 14 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, on board Mercury-Atlas 8.
On his wrist was Omega’s Speedmaster chronograph, chosen by Schirra as his personal watch for the nine-hour mission.
The watch was the second version of the Speedmaster, and featured a black aluminium bezel, a lollipop seconds hand, and “Alpha" style hour and minute hands.
After Schirra's mission, NASA certified the Speedmaster for all manned missions, and – fun fact – the Russian Space Agency also adopted it as their official watch.
Omega has built its brand on the Speedmaster/space connection and hasn’t been shy about issuing many different version of the “Speedy”, including commemorative versions for the 50thanniversary in 2012, and the 60th anniversary in 2021.
Today’s new watch is overtly inspired by Schirra's watch, the second-generation Speedy.
The tribute to the original features the “dot over ninety”, which refering to the position of the dot at the 90 marker, where it was placed over the marker, as opposed to next to it, in later versions.
The watch also uses the vintage Omega logo, with a new sapphire crystal that recreates the classic domed shape of the 1962 model.
The indexes and “Alpha-style” hands are filled with vintage Super-LumiNova, to replicate the original watch’s glow.
Meanwhile the case back comes engraved with a commemorative “The First Omega In Space” legend, and the mission date ‘October 3, 1962’.
The steel watch measures 39.7mm and comes with Omega's co-axial master chronometer movement.
Prices range from £7,100-£7,400, depending on bracelet/ strap.
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