The History of Omega's Speedmaster: A Watch Deeply Connected to Space

Omega's Speedmaster has been deeply involved in the space race. This watch has witnessed many historic events and is still certified by the International Space Agency as a suitable watch for extravehicular activities. Let's take a look at the Speedmaster's history and lineage to understand its appeal.

The Omega Speedmaster and Space History

The Speedmaster is an Omega timekeeping watch originally created for motorsports. It is also widely known as the watch chosen by NASA and used by astronauts in numerous space projects.

How has the Speedmaster been connected to space? Let's take a look at its history, one memorable event at a time.

Worn in Project Mercury in 1962

The Omega Speedmaster first flew into space in 1962. Astronaut Walter Schirra wore his Speedmaster chronograph on the Sigma 7 mission during the 1958-1963 manned spaceflight program, Project Mercury.

It was a time when the East and West were in the midst of a fierce space race. At that time, it was finally clear that humans could withstand the environment of space. The United States finally launched Project Mercury, the country's first manned spaceflight program.

Seven astronauts, including Schirra, were selected from among the U.S. Air Force test pilots to take part in Project Mercury. Schirra, who was the first to take a Speedmaster into space, flew into space aboard Project Mercury's fifth spacecraft, Sigma 7, and orbited the Earth six times.

1965: Officially certified by NASA

In 1964, NASA asked watch manufacturers, including Omega, for quotes on wristwatch chronographs. The manufacturers that responded to NASA's request included well-known luxury watch brands such as Rolex, Longines, and Hamilton.

The Omega Speedmaster was approved as official equipment by NASA the following year, in 1965. Only the Speedmaster could withstand the rigorous tests that almost destroyed the watch. The Speedmaster was the only watch approved for manned space missions.

1969: Carried on the first manned moon landing

Four years after being certified as official NASA equipment, the Speedmaster Professional was issued to the crew of Apollo 11. Worn by the astronauts, the Speedmaster became the "Moonwatch" the moment humans first set foot on the Moon on July 20, 1969 (July 21, Japan time).

Furthermore, when the Apollo 13 spacecraft exploded the following year, the crew used the Speedmaster to calculate the time to reverse thrust on the engines, allowing them to safely return to Earth. The Speedmaster was also used for experiments on Apollo 17, the final mission to the moon in 1972.

1975: Witnessed the docking of Apollo and Soyuz

In July 1975, the United States and the former Soviet Union were in the midst of the Cold War, competing with each other in the Apollo program and the Soyuz manned space missions. However, the intensifying space race put pressure on the budgets of both countries, and space development came to a halt.

Against this backdrop, the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project was born, which attempted to dock the Apollo and Soyuz in joint space development. This was a major event that marked the thawing of the Cold War.

Omega's Speedmaster was also present on this historic mission. At the moment the captains of both ships embraced and shook hands, the astronauts, including the captains, were wearing Speedmasters.

The History of the Omega Speedmaster

Omega created the Speedmaster in 1957, five years after its participation in Project Mercury. Let's take a look at how the Speedmaster has evolved from the original model to the present day.

"Ref. CK2915-1" born as a professional line

The Speedmaster was born as part of the professional line established in 1957. The other two are the Seamaster, a diver's watch specializing in waterproofing, and the Railmaster, a railroad watch with the ultimate in anti-magnetic properties.

The first Speedmaster, Ref. CK2915-1, was born as a professional line for motorsports, as the name of the collection suggests. The Ref. CK2915-1 is such an impactful watch for Omega that there are even reissues of it.

The Speedmaster Calibre 321 (Ref. 311.50.39.30.01.001), released in 2022, was inspired by the Ref. CK2915-1. It features the iconic oval "O" of the Ref. CK2915-1 and the vintage Omega logo. Crafted in Omega's exclusive white gold, 18K Canopus Gold™, it exudes a sense of grandeur.

The current base model, "Ref. CK2998"

The Speedmaster Professional "Ref. CK2998" was released as the second generation Speedmaster in 1959. It can be said that the foundation of today's Speedmaster was established at this stage.

The shape of the hands and the color of the bezel have changed, and the bezel is now a black aluminum bezel, giving it a sporty look closer to today's Speedmaster.

In 2018, the Speedmaster CK 2998 Pulsometer (Ref. 311.32.40.30.02.001) was released, inspired by the original Ref. CK2998. While incorporating the charm of the original model, the racing-style leather strap adds a touch of innovation. This watch was produced in a limited edition of 2998 pieces, in reference to the original model's serial number.

"Ref.ST145.022" with a new movement

The fifth-generation Speedmaster Professional, Ref. ST145.022, has a change in movement from Cal. 321 to Cal. 861. Cal. 861 simplifies the column wheel that starts the chronograph of Cal. 321 and changes it to a heart-shaped cam, but its functionality has been improved.

The change in the movement mechanism was due to Omega's desire to mass-produce high-precision chronographs. The Omega logo on the dial was also changed to a print in order to shift gears towards mass production.

The Speedmaster Mark II (Ref. ST145.014) is a derivative model with a revamped design based on the Ref. ST145.022. In 2014, a reissue of the Ref. ST145.014, the Ref. 327.10.43.50.06.001, equipped with the automatic chronograph movement Cal. 3330, was released.

The ever-evolving Speedmaster

Even after the space race, the Speedmaster has not stopped evolving. It continues to make great strides while maintaining its basic style. By learning about the changes up to the present (November 2023), you will be able to enjoy the history of the Speedmaster in greater depth.

Actively producing limited edition models and derivative models

In the 1980s, Omega released limited-edition Speedmaster models, including one with a moonphase display and another featuring a case with an automatic movement and a day-date display at 3 o'clock. The Ref. ST376.0822, known as the "Holy Grail" of rare Omega watches, was also produced during this period.

In the late 1990s, the sixth generation was released, equipped with the rhodium-plated "Cal. 1861." Since then, numerous limited edition and commemorative models have been released.

Towards even greater technological heights

Starting in 2021, Omega will move on to a new stage with the announcement of the Speedmaster Moonwatch Master Chronometer, making the Master Chronometer standard also available in the Speedmaster.

Furthermore, in 2023, they will release the new Speedmaster Super Racing equipped with the "Spirate System," a patent-pending system that achieves astonishing accuracy of 0 to +2 seconds per day.

The Speedmaster's history in space

Looking back at the history of the Omega Speedmaster, its close connection to space is clearly evident. From America's first manned space flight to the Apollo-Soyuz test project, the Speedmaster has developed alongside the turbulent space race that pitted East and West against each other.

Its lineage has been passed down from the first model in 1957 to new models created using new technologies, and we hope you will pick up this supreme timepiece and think about the history of the Speedmaster, which has existed alongside space.