Omega - Game Changers New York Tuesday, December 10, 2019 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Omega
    Year: 1969
    Reference No: 145.022
    Movement No: 28'420'029
    Case No: No. 120
    Model Name: Speedmaster Professional Moon Watch DeLuxe
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 861, 17 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18K yellow gold Omega bracelet, max length 200mm
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Omega deployant clasp, stamped 1116/575
    Dimensions: 40mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement, and clasp signed.
    Accessories: Accompanied by a red leather Omega presentation box and outer packaging. Further accompanied by an Omega Extract of the Archives confirming date of manufacture December 9, 1969 and sale to Germany.

  • Catalogue Essay

    One of mankind’s most momentous achievements occurred on the historic day, July 20th, 1969 when Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first men to step on to the surface of the moon. Since President John F. Kennedy delivered a speech on September 12th, 1962 and spoke the words “we choose to go to the Moon” the American space program had been tirelessly working to put astronauts on the moon before the end of the decade and beating their Russian counterparts. As is well-known today, the history of NASA, the American moon mission, and the Swiss watch manufacturer Omega are closely intertwined, as it was Omega Speedmaster chronographs that accompanied Armstrong and Aldrin on their extraordinary flight becoming “the first watch worn on the moon”.

    The reference 145.022 was released in 1969 to commemorate this historic event with the first two chronographs offered to the President and Vice-President of the United States, but were ultimately turned down for compliance issues. The watches numbered 3 through 28 were presented to NASA astronauts and officials, with watches 29 to 32 given to executives of Omega during a gala dinner in Houston in 1969. The watches 33 through 1000 were offered to the public, and like the present wristwatch, were engraved “The First Watch Worn on the Moon”. This year, to mark the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the moon landing, Omega re-released the watch in a modern, limited edition of 1,014 pieces in Omega’s all-new, proprietary Moonshine Gold yellow-gold alloy – all of which sold out.

    The present watch is in outstanding overall condition, with hardly any signs of wear, retaining all of its crisp edges and engravings as the day it left the factory 50 years ago. In this 50th anniversary year of the historic moon landing, this commemorative timepiece is a wonderful addition to any collection.

  • Artist Biography

    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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11

Ref. 145.022
A rare and highly attractive limited edition yellow gold chronograph wristwatch with burgundy bezel and bracelet, made to commemorate the Apollo XI moon landing, limited edition number 120

1969
40mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement, and clasp signed.

Estimate
$15,000 - 30,000 
CHF14,900-29,700
€13,500-27,100
HK$117,000-235,000

Sold for $52,500

Contact Specialist
Paul Boutros
Head of Watches, Americas & International Strategy Advisor
Senior Vice President
+1 212 940 1293
pboutros@phillips.com

Game Changers

New York Auction 10 December 2019