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902

Omega

Ref. ST 145.022

Speedmaster Apollo-Soyuz

A highly rare and attractive limited edition stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with bracelet, made in a limited edition of 500 pieces to commemorate the first joint crewed international space mission and released for the Italian market

Estimate
HK$200,000 - 360,000
€23,300 - 42,000
$25,600 - 46,200
HK$279,400
Lot Details
Manufacturer
Omega
Year
1976
Reference No
ST 145.022
Movement No
39'181'247
Case No
397
Model Name
Speedmaster Apollo-Soyuz
Material
Stainless steel
Calibre
Manual, cal. 861, 17 jewels
Bracelet/Strap
Stainless steel Omega bracelet, endlinks stamped “633”, max length 195mm
Clasp/Buckle
Stainless steel Omega deployant clasp stamped “1171/1”
Dimensions
40mm diameter
Signed
Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed
Accessories
Accompanied with Omega hang tag. Delivered with Omega Extract from the Archives confirming the production of the present timepiece on 4th May 1976 and its delivery to Italy.
Catalogue Essay
On the 15th of July 1975, the historical Apollo-Soyuz Test Project (ASTP) marked the first crewed international space mission cooperatively carried out by the United States and Soviet Union. Two days later, on July 17th, the mission resulted in a successful docking of the American Apollo with a Soviet Union Soyuz capsule. Not only was this considered to be an important and memorable moment for space reconnaissance but also considered internationally as marking the end of the "Space Race" commenced in 1957 with the Sputnik 1.

The success of the first international crewed mission was commemorated a year later by Omega, who issued a limited edition of 500 special Speedmasters based on the classic Speedmaster Professional 145.022 model with caliber 861 movement, such as the present watch. The dial of this limited edition series bears the mission emblem at 12 o'clock without the Speedmaster Professional inscriptions, and long hour markers. The case of the Apollo-Soyuz is also slightly different from the standard version as the chronograph pushers have a slightly larger diameter of 5.5mm rather than the usual 5mm. Consequently the case band had also to be adjusted. The exclusive Apollo-Soyuz watches were all made for the Italian market, as evidenced by flanked circled "I" on its caseback. The limited series of Speedmaster utilizes a cal.861 and have serial numbers ranging between 39.180.xxx and 39.181.xxx.

Instantly recognizable among collectors, the Apollo-Soyuz Speedmaster is the second limited edition ever released by Omega. Preserved in great overall condition and further confirmed the production of the present timepiece on 4th of May 1976 by the Omega Extract from the Archives, this is a remarkable opportunity for the collector of historical important and rare vintage pieces.

Omega

Swiss | 1848
Omega's rich history begins with its founder, Louis Brandt, who established the firm in 1848 in La Chaux de Fonds. In 1903, the company changed its name to Omega, becoming the only watch brand in history to have been named after one its own movements. A full-fledged manufacturer of highly accurate, affordable and reliable watches, its sterling reputation enabled them to be chosen as the first watch company to time the Olympic Games beginning in 1932. Its continued focus on precision and reliability ultimately led their Speedmaster chronograph wristwatch to be chosen by NASA in 1965 — the first watch worn on the moon.Key models sought-after by collectors include their first, oversized water-resistant chronograph — the reference 2077, early Speedmaster models such as the CK 2915 and 2998, military-issued versions of the Seamaster and oversized chronometer models such as those fitted with their prestigious caliber 30T2Rg.
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