Manufacturer: Omega Year: 1971 Reference No: ST145.022-71 Movement No: 32’199’471 Model Name: Speedmaster Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Manual, cal. 861, 17 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Omega bracelet endlinks stamped 516, max length 190mm Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Omega deployant clasp stamped 1039 & 4,71 Dimensions: 42mm Diameter Signed: Dial, case, movement bracelet and clasp Accessories: Further accompanied by Omega fitted presentation box. Further delivered with Omega Extract from the Archives confirming its subsequent date of production on 14th October 1971 and its delivery to Switzerland.
Catalogue Essay
Since the moon landing in 1969, Omega has kept its momentum in producing the infamous Speedmaster, such as the present ST145.022-71. When viewed on the dial side, the watch resembles much of its elder reference that landed on the moon, however differences can be distinguished once flipped to the caseback side. The -71 features a clean caseback with no inscription regarding NASA or the moon landing. However, still retaining its seahorse insignia, the caseback retains its original iconic stamp.
Preserved in excellent overall condition, the present Speedmaster is further charmed by its original box.
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.