Omega: Speedmaster Apollo 11 “50th Anniversary Limited Edition”

On the 21st of July 1969, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin stepped off the Eagle to become the first humans to stand on another world. It was during this legendary mission that the Omega Speedmaster became the first watch worn on the moon. To commemorate that moment and the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11, Omega has crafted a new Limited Edition of 6,969.

While the 42 mm case has been created in stainless steel, the bezel of this timepiece is made from polished 18K MoonshineTM Gold – an exclusive new patent-pending alloy which is a paler hue than traditional yellow gold and offers high resistance to fading over time. The bezel ring itself is polished black ceramic [ZrO2] with an OMEGA CeragoldTMtachymeter scale.

Two distinct zones make up the dial, including a central varnished grey zone and an outer blackened sector. 18K MoonshineTM Gold is used for the bevelled indexes, vintage OMEGA logo and all of the hands – except for the central chronograph seconds hand,which is “PVD-treated” in MoonshineTM Gold.

11 o’clock features two “1” markings in 18K MoonshineTM Gold, forming the Apollo mission’s number. The 9 o’clock subdial features the famous image of BuzzAldrin climbing down the ladder onto the lunar surface. This subdial is crafted from 18K MoonshineTM Gold and is blackened and laser-engraved.

Featured on the blackened decorative inner caseback is a laser-engraved footprint representing human kind’s first step on the moon. Encircling the image in 18K MoonshineTM Gold-plated lettering is Neil Armstrong’s legendary quote: “THAT’S ONE SMALL STEP FOR A MAN, ONE GIANT LEAP FOR MANKIND”. Orbiting the caseback’s sapphire crystal areengraved words highlighted in black including APOLLO 11, 50th ANNIVERSARY, LIMITED EDITION, and each Limited Edition number. Also engraved, yet blending in with the steel, are NAIAD LOCK, Cal. 3861 and CO-AXIAL MASTER CHRONOMETER.

The watch is presented on a polished-brushed metallic bracelet with a vintage Ω on theclasp: a design inspired by the bracelet of the 4th generation Speedmaster (ST 105.012- 65). An additional Velcro strap in blackened cork with golden marks is also included. This innovative design is a salute to the Apollo-era “boost protective cover” – a fiberglass structure covered with thick cork ablator which fitted over the Command Module like a glove, keeping the crew of the Saturn V rocket safe from the intense heat produced at launch.

The brand new Omega Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 3861 takes the next evolutionary step for the famous Moonwatch movement. Now crafted with Co-Axial technology, a stop-second function and Omega’s superior anti-magnetic innovation, the Speedmaster Moonwatch has now been able to reach the Master Chronometer standard,which assures the industry’s highest standard of precision, chronometric performance andmagnetic resistance.

The NASA-style presentation box includes two mission patches (50th anniversary / Apollo 11), two engraved plates (landing site coordinates / landing site and time) as well as the spare strap and strap changing tool. Best of all, it houses the ultimate display stand – a Lunar Module. (Price €.9.200)