Manufacturer: Omega Year: Circa 1968 Reference No: 145012-67 Movement No: 25'003'211 Model Name: Speedmaster Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Manual, cal. 321, 17 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Omega bracelet, reference 1039, end links stamped 516, max. length 200mm Clasp/Buckle: Folding Omega deployant clasp stamped 4.67 Dimensions: 42mm diameter Signed:Case, dial and movement signed Accessories: With Omega International Guarantee dated 11/06/ 1968 and fitted presentation box. Furthermore delivered with Omega Extract of the Archives confirming production of the present watch with Black dial and luminous indexes and its subsequent sale on February 1, 1968 in Canada.
Catalogue Essay
Omega’s Speedmaster reference 145.012-67 was produced in 1967 and 1968 and was one of the wristwatches NASA chose for its Apollo program. This particular model with ‘lyra’ style lugs housed the caliber 321, a favourite amongst collectors and the last model to feature it. Omega upgraded their earlier 105.012 case using a new design that was made for greater water resistance. The pushers were screwed in to the case and the case back was stamped ‘SP’ for ‘special poussoirs.
The present watch is an attractive example of this collectible timepiece, with a dial that has aged nicely, and the white numerals have turned a crème colour. The case retains its strong proportions and the ‘lyra’ style lugs remain sharp. A watch that is both interesting from its historical perspective in space, and a sporty model, the Speedmaster Professional is the perfect watch for everyday wear.
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.