2017 marks 60 years of Omega Speedmaster and to celebrate here are 60 models of the iconic watch – from 1957 to present day….
1957 – Broad Arrow
The original timepiece. Called the ‘Broad Arrow’ due to its distinctive hands, this was not only the first Speedmaster, it was also the first chronograph wristwatch in the world with its tachymeter scale on the bezel as opposed to printed on the dial.
1959 – First Omega in Space
The second version of the Speedmaster.
1963 – Third Generation
This Speedmaster model was the first watch to pass NASA’s rigorous testing for right qualification.
1964 – Automovil Club Peruano
This model was specially ordered by the Automovil Club Peruano based in Lima, Peru.
1965 – The Moonwatch
When Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin stepped onto the moon in 1969, this Speedmaster model became the first watch ever worn on the moon.
1968 – Direct link to the Moonwatch of today
Launched in 1968 with the new calibre 861, this model marked a major turning point in the history of the Speedmaster.
1968 – Racing Dial
The origins of the rare Racing Dial model are still shrouded in mystery, but it is generally accepted that the bicolor minute markers and orange hands and logo were created to make the chronograph easier to read.
1968 – Speedmaster Ultraman
This model featured in the Japanese sci-fi show, ‘The Return of Ultraman’ in 1971 and is characterised by its orange seconds hand.
1969 – Apollo XI Gold Commemorative Edition
This was the first 18K gold Speedmaster, created in a numbered edition with a rare burgundy bezel.
1969 – Mark II – Redesign
This streamlined Speedmaster Mark II signalled the first redesign of OMEGA’s popular chronograph.
1969 – Alaska Project Prototype
Alaska was OMEGA’s chosen code – name for everything that involved NASA and was always deemed top-secret.
1971 – Mark III First Automatic Speedmaster
Launched in 1971, the Speedmaster Mark III, with its ‘“pilot’ case, was OMEGA’s first self-winding chronograph.
1972 – Alaska Project II
Continuing its secret project to build the perfect space watch for NASA, OMEGA returned with a new prototype.
1973 – Speedsonic (Tuning fork)
This model is nicknamed the ‘lobster’ due to the unusual shape of the bracelet which resembles the tail of a crustacean.
1973 – Speedmaster 125 Automatic Chronometer Chronograph
This model was the world’s first automatic chronograph to receive an official Chronometer Certification.
1975 – Apollo – Soyuz
In 1975, Russian cosmonauts and American astronauts wore Speedmasters during a historic meeting in space that signalled the beginning of the end of the Cold War.
1978 – Alaska Project III (Space Shuttle)
When OMEGA began work on the ‘Alaska III’ project, its aim was to adapt the classic Moonwatch to include anti – reflective surfaces and an easy-to-read dial.
1979 – Alaska IV Quartz Prototype
When the Speedmaster briefly went digital, this prototype was created for the astronauts at NASA based on the commercial models.
1980 – Apollo XI Gold Commemorative Edition
Launched to celebrate the 1969 Apollo 11 mission in which the Speedmaster became the first watch worn on the moon, this yellow gold model was the first to use the 861L calibre and to have a glazed display back with sapphire crystal.
1983 – First Bi-color Speedmaster
Bringing a two-tone style to the Speedmaster’s iconic design for the first time, this bicolor model was made using a steel case with a golden dial, silvered subdials and a bracelet made from steel and 14K gold.
1985 – Speedmaster Moonphase
Known as the ‘Speedymoon’, this watch was produced in a series of 1,300 pieces and features a Moonphase complication with a painted moon and stars.
1987 – Holy Grail Speedmaster
This was the first Speedmaster that combined an automatic movement with a Moonwatch case. OMEGA only produced the watch during two years.
1987 – Bi-color for Italy
The bicolor, features a black dial with golden subdials, a yellow gold bezel and yellow gold-plated crown and pushers.
1991 – Perpetual Calendar
Although it celebrated the 700th anniversary of Switzerland, the watch was released exclusively for the Japanese market.
1992 – Skeleton
The skeletonised design was limited to just 50 pieces, each with a transparent caseback.
1992 – First COSC Speedmaster Professional
OMEGA launched the 27 CHRO C12 project in 1942 which led to the creation of the calibre 321 that was used in the very first Speedmaster.
1995 – Apollo 13
The OMEGA Speedmaster served a life – saving role aboard Apollo 13 in 1970 when it helped the astronauts return safely to Earth.
1995 – MIR 365 Days
In 1990, ten standard Speedmaster Moonwatches were kept aboard the orbiting MIR Space Station for 90 days to test the effects of zero gravity on the watch.
1996 – Reduced Racing ‘Schumacher’
This striking model is notable for its ‘younger aesthetics’ and was produced in both red and yellow versions.
1997 – ’57 Replica / Relaunch Edition
With the exact same dial, bezel, hands and logo as the famous “Broad Arrow” of 1957, this watch, sometimes to referred to as the “Replica”, was the first to be included in the “Missions” set of 1997 which marked the 40th anniversary of the Speedmaster.
1997 – Golden Panda
40 of these Speedmasters were created for the Japanese market. The watch closely resembled the face of a panda, which gave it its memorable nickname.
1997 – 40th Anniversary
To celebrate 40 years of the iconic Speedmaster, OMEGA released this model in 1997 featuring a cream dial and front glass made from sapphire crystal.
1998 – Speedmaster X-33
Known as the “Mars Watch”, the X-33 was designed for the possibility of man landing on the red planet.
1999 – Apollo XI Anniversary White Gold
Launched in 1999 to mark the 30th anniversary of Apollo 11.
2000 – Apollo – Soyuz
With their spacecraft docking together in space in 1975, the Apollo and Soyuz commanders shook hands through an open hatch and signaled a bright future for the two nations.
2003 – Snoopy Award
This model commemorates the ‘Silver Snoopy Award’ that OMEGA received in 1970 for helping to get the Apollo 13 crew safely home.
2003 – From Moon to Mars
This model coincided with the American announcement that they planned to build a permanent space station on the moon before 2020 to act as a launch site for future manned missions to Mars.
2004 – Apollo XI 35h Anniversary
Created to mark the 35th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission when the OMEGA Speedmaster became the first watch worn on the moon, this watch was produced in a limited edition of 3,500 pieces.
2005 – Gemini IV
In 1965, Edward White became the first American astronaut to walk in space. With a Speedmaster strapped to his wrist, it also became the first time that an OMEGA ventured outside the spacecraft.
2005 – Co-Axial GMT
This Speedmaster was the first to include the Co-Axial escapement, which revolutionised precision and reliability.
2006 – Apollo 15 35th Anniversary
This Speedmaster was created in a limited edition of 1,971 pieces to mark the 35th anniversary of Apollo 15.
2007 – 50th Anniversary Patch
Created in a limited edition of 5,957 pieces to commemorate the birth of the Speedmaster in 1957.
2008 – Beijing Olympics
As the Official Timekeeper of the Olympic Games Beijing 2008, OMEGA celebrated its role by creating this unique Speedmaster 5-Counters Chronograph.
2008 – Alaska Project Re-edition
In this timepiece, one of OMEGA’s most innovative dreams became reality – to produce a watch to withstand temperatures, in lunar or spatial atmospheres, ranging from -148C to +260C.
2008 – HB-SIA GMT – Solar Impulse
The Solar Impulse project captured the world’s imagination with its ambitious aim of flying around the Earth in a plane powered only by the sun.
2009 – Apollo 11 40th Anniversary
Made in a limited edition of 69 examples to mark the 40th anniversary of man’s conquest of the moon.
2010 – Apollo – Soyuz Meteorite
With a dial and subdials made from slices of meteorite, this Speedmaster was built from a real piece of space.
2011 – Apollo 15 40th Anniversary
This watch celebrates the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 15 moon landing and is included in a numbered series of 1,971 pieces.
2012 – Apollo 17 40th Anniversary
This Limited Edition timepiece is one of OMEGA’s most iconic Speedmasters and celebrates the 40th anniversary of the final lunar landing in December 1972.
2013 – Dark Side of the Moon
Emblematic of OMEGA’s bold style, innovation and pioneering spirit, the “Dark Side of the Moon” brought the Moonwatch to a new generation.
2014 – Apollo 11 45th Anniversary
On a brown “NATO” strap, this watch commemorates the 45th anniversary of Apollo 11.
2014 – Skywalker X-33
Designed especially for space explorers, the Speedmaster Skywalker is an innovative upgrade of the Speedmaster Professional X-33 released in 1998.
2015 – Silver Snoopy Award – Apollo 13 45th Anniversary
A tribute to the 45th anniversary of Apollo 13 and the Silver Snoopy Award that OMEGA received from NASA.
2015 – X-33 Solar Impulse 2
The Speedmaster Skywalker X-33 Solar Impulse Limited Edition celebrates OMEGA’s partnership with Solar Impulse, whose team succeeded in circling the globe in a solar powered airplane in 2016.
2015 – Speedmaster’57 Caliber 9300
The Speedmaster ‘57 is an innovative wristwatch that salutes its legendary ancestor and has been designed to experience new adventures of its very own.
2016 – CK2998
The original OMEGA CK2998 was released in 1959 and has become one of the world’s most sought-after vintage Speedmasters.
2016 – Master Chronometer Moonphase
The first Speedmaster certified as a Master Chronometer, this blue Moonphase timepiece reaches the industry’s highest standards of precision and performance as approved by METAS.
2017 – Speedmaster 38mm
The refined 38mm collection retains the famous look and 60-year heritage of the Speedmaster.
2017 – Speedmaster Racing Master Chronometer
The distinctive minute-track style on this stainless-steel watch first appeared on a 1968 Speedmaster model.
2017 – Speedy Tuesday
In 2012, an online community of #SpeedyTuesday fans began to grow around the world, with Speedmaster pictures and comments being shared every week.
