Manufacturer: Omega Year: 1969 Reference No: BA 145.022 Movement No: 28'422'237 and 298 Model Name: Speedmaster Professional, Apollo XI Material: 18K yellow gold Calibre: Manual, cal. 861, 17 jewels Bracelet/Strap: 18K yellow gold Omega bracelet, max length 205mm Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Omega deployant clasp Dimensions: 40mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed Accessories: Accompanied by Omega Extract of the Archives confirming production of the present watch with 18K solid yellow gold dial, and its subsequent sale on December 15, 1969
Catalogue Essay
Reference 145.022 in yellow gold was released following the historical moon landing in 1969, as a celebration of the event and - indirectly - of Omega’s partnership with NASA. With only 1,014 examples produced, the reference has achieved by now a near mythical status in virtue of its unrestrained luxurious looks, rarity and historical importance. While the series comprises 1014 pieces, they are not all identical to each other, both for looks and for intended destination. One can identify the following main “groups”:
- The first and second examples were offered to the President and Vice-President of the United States (who never accepted the gift as too expensive, and now reside in the Omega museum). - Number 3 to 32 were offered to mission astronauts and they were engraved “To mark man’s conquest of space with time, through time, on time” and with the name of the recipient. - Numbers 29 to 32 were given to Swiss personalities. They bear the same inscriptions as the astronaut’s timepieces, but have no sequential number (apparently making these pieces the only 3 watches of the edition with this peculiarity) - Nos. 33 to 1000 were commercialised. The caseback is inscribed as seen on this piece; early models feature a simple engraving, later models - such as the present lot - feature an burgundy-coloured engraving - Numbers 1001 to 1008 were presented between ’71 and '73 to astronauts who had not yet taken part in a space mission in 1969 (to be precise, astronauts participating in Apollo XIV to XVII missions. It is unclear why Apollo XIII astronauts did not receive a timepiece). - The final 6 pieces (1009 - 1014) were given to various personalities
Omega reissued a 50th anniversary 18K moonshine gold limited edition with sapphire case back in 2019 as a tribute to the Moonwatch legacy, indicating how important the brand itself deems this model to be for its heritage.
The present example is a particularly early example that is preserved in excellent overall condition. The case is possibly unpolished and the dial is in exceedingly good condition. There is an incredibly crisp and sharp hallmark between the lugs. Finally, this dial displays the Oval "O" in Omega, which is particularly collectible among collectors today.
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.
Ref. BA 145.022 A highly rare, attractive and well-preserved yellow gold limited edition chronograph wristwatch with solid gold "Oval O" dial, burgundy bezel, engraved back and bracelet, number 298 of a 1014 pieces limited edition
1969 40mm Diameter Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed
