Lunar Horology: 5 Best Watches From Omega’s Speedmaster Collection

Buzz Aldrin wore the Omega Speedmaster Professional Chronograph as the first watch on the Moon. Neil Armstrong’s first voyage to the moon was met with a slight setback as his Speedmaster malfunctioned and reliance on the electronic timer was jeopardized.

Because Aldrin chose to wear his, his Speedmaster became the first watch worn on the Moon. 

Aldrin’s watch was lost in transport, while Armstrong’s is now on display at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. In his book, Return to Earth, he mentions that while donating several items to a reputable Smithsonian facility, his original Omega was one of the few items stolen from his personal effects. 

Omega: Brief History

La Generale Watch Co., Omega’s forerunner, was founded in 1848 in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, by Louis Brandt. Locally-sourced materials were the highlight of his pocket watches as the craftsmen in the area respected his passion. His two sons, Louis-Paul and César, created a revolutionary in-house manufacturing and total production control system in 1894, allowing parts to be interchangeable.

Watches made using these techniques were marketed by La Generale Watch Co. under the Omega brand. The Omega brand’s success by 1903 prompted the La Generale Watch Co to spin off the Omega brand as its household name.

Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch: Certified First Moon Watch

The legendary Speedmaster family represents Omega’s desire to transcend earthly limitations, having been part of all lunar missions and certified by NASA as the first timepiece to be brought to the Moon. This Omega Speedmaster Professional Men’s Moonwatch lives up to its iconic status, powered by an excellent mechanical caliber 1861 manual-winding movement and secured with a stainless steel NATO strap. 

This high-performance timepiece is designed to provide the flawless level of accuracy deemed necessary by space travel, with a bold black dial equipped with small seconds sub-dial, 30-minute sub-dial, 12-hour sub-dial, and a central chronograph hand, all protected by a robust hesalite crystal lens and framed by a black bezel complete with tachymeter scale. 

Speedmaster Moonphase Co-Axial Master Chronometer Chronograph

The Omega Speedmaster Moonphase Co-Axial Master Chronometer Chronograph Men’s watch performs admirably while also showcasing stylish aesthetics with deep blue features. At its core, the Moonphase is powered by Omega Co-Axial Master Chronometer 9904 and offers water resistance of up to 100 meters, as certified by METAS (The Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology). 

This watch is distinguished further by a 44.25mm stainless steel case with a blue ceramic bezel ring with a Liquidmetal tachymeter scale, as well as a blue sun-brushed dial with rhodium-plated hands and indexes. An accurate Moonphase indication at 6 o’clock features a metallic crystal disc to obtain a high-resolution image of the Moon, and a sapphire crystal lens fully protects the dial. 

2021 Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional Co-Axial Master Chronometer 42mm

The Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch is one of the most recognizable timepieces in the world. The legendary chronograph, which was present at all six moon landings, is an impressive representation of the brand’s daring, pioneering spirit. 

This 42 mm stainless steel Moonwatch with hesalite glass on the front and an embossed Seahorse medallion on the case back is presented on a nylon fabric strap. It is inspired by the 4th generation Speedmaster style worn on the Moon. It features an asymmetrical case, a black step dial, and the famous dot over 90 on the anodized aluminum bezel ring.

Speedmaster “Silver Snoopy Award” 50th Anniversary

The astronauts at NASA awarded Omega the prestigious “Silver Snoopy Award” in 1970, recognizing the brand’s unique contributions to the final frontier, as well as its assistance during the Apollo 13 rescue. A unique timepiece has been made to commemorate the occasion 50 years hence. 

This remarkable Snoopy homage has brought the Omega Speedmaster to new design heights by combining animation and watchmaking art. The watch’s blue nylon fabric strap suits the other blue components of the watch and has the Apollo 13 mission’s trajectory embossed on the lining, demonstrating OMEGA’s meticulous attention to detail. 

This brace is mounted to a stainless steel 42 mm case based on the 4th iteration of the Speedmaster style (the first watch worn on the Moon in 1969).

On a blue ceramic bezel ring, the tachymeter scale with the classic “Dot over Ninety” is displayed in white enamel.

Speedmaster Moonwatch Co-Axial 44.25mm

This OMEGA Speedmaster Black Moon Watch is distinguished by its alluring, all-black style, which pays homage to the enigmatic existence of the Moon and its ever-changing yet permanent appearance. The matte black ceramic dial features polished black Moonwatch-style hands, black applied indices, and sub-dials at 3 and 9 o’clock. 

It is powered by an OMEGA Co-Axial caliber 9300 self-winding chronograph movement.

The dial is surrounded by a black and chamfered bezel with a black lacquered tachymeter and tightens with a fabric strap with a black ceramic clasp set inside a 44.25mm polished brushed black ceramic shell. Waterproof to a depth of 50 meters.

Takeaway

Watches have progressed from simplistic manual-winding timepieces to smart collector objects with long-term value. The Artistry behind Omega’s vision of becoming the top watchmaking household is a journey not only through time but a process of prestige and horology.