“Houston, we’ve had a problem”, one of the most famous lines dating back to April 1970 when Jack Swigert, command module pilot of the Apollo 13 spaceflight, radios back their discovery of the explosion in the oxygen tank to the mission control on earth. With every corner of the globe and millions filled with anxiety for the safety of the astronauts over a long span of 6 days, the crew was brought safely back home by the tremendous efforts by engineering marvels at the NASA mission control centre, and of course, a crucial partner at the final hurdle, the famed 14 seconds countdown with the Omega Speedmaster.

In celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Apollo 13 mission, Omega launched the limited edition reference 3593.52.00. This is the first ever model to display a space-mission badge in the subdial at 9 o’clock. The design origin of the badge was concepted by Jim Lovell, commander of the mission and Lumen Winter, a New York artist. The idea was brought to life with three horses symbolized as Apollo, the mythical god, charioting out from earth into space as the sun and moon flies by. Instead of inscribing the names of crew members, “Ex Luna, Scientia”, translated as “From the Moon, Knowledge” was signed to celebrate the science and ingenuity of space traveling.

The present example numbered 521 of a limited series of 999 pieces, is preserved in excellent condition and offered with its original accessories including the collectible Apollo XIII mission badge. This is certainly an opportunity not to be missed by Speedy collectors to acquire such a symbolic timepiece of history.