Omega, the official timekeeper of the Paris Olympics 2024, is celebrating another milestone in its illustrious history this year: the 55th anniversary of the first moon landing.
On July 21, 1969, humans walked on the moon for the first time, and on their wrists were the Omega Speedmaster Professional—the first watch to be worn on the moon.
Since then, the Omega Speedmaster has been a staple in the world of luxury watches, capturing the imagination and loyalty of enthusiasts for decades. This iconic watch, affectionately known as the Omega Moonwatch, has also inspired a unique community tradition known as “Speedy Tuesday.”
The term, Speedy Tuesday, originated in 2012 when Robert-Jan Broer, founder of the watch blog Fratello Watches, shared a photo of his Omega Speedmaster on Instagram with the hashtag #SpeedyTuesday. What began as a simple appreciation post quickly evolved into a global movement, with Omega enthusiasts worldwide sharing photos of their Omega Speedmaster every Tuesday. This social media initiative-turned-marketing triumph exemplifies the Speedmaster’s enduring appeal and the passionate community that has formed around it—who no doubt love it to the moon and back.
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Omega Speedmaster Certificate from 1965 (Photo: courtesy of Nasa/Omega)
When first introduced in 1957, the Speedmaster was marketed as a sports and racing chronograph, not a space watch. Its tachymeter scale on the bezel was designed for timing laps on the racetrack. The Speedmaster’s popularity skyrocketed after its association with the space programme became public knowledge. However, it wasn’t an overnight success. Its selection by Nasa in 1965 was initially kept quiet. The Omega Speedmaster had to survive a battery of punishing tests, including thermal, shock, and vacuum examinations, before it qualified as a timepiece fit for space flight.
What sets the watch apart is its space-faring pedigree, enduring design and mechanical prowess. The watch that adorned the wrists of Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin is remarkably similar to the ones Omega produces today. This continuity speaks volumes about the timepiece’s timeless appeal and robust engineering.
For luxury watch enthusiasts and collectors, the Omega Speedmaster represents more than just a tool watch. It carries the weight of history—a tangible connection to one of humanity’s greatest accomplishments.
Buzz Aldrin with his Omega Speedmaster at the final frontier (Photo: courtesy of Nasa/Omega)
In a nod to the watch’s appeal, Omega and Swatch collaborated on the MoonSwatch series, bringing the spirit of the Speedmaster to a wider audience. The launch in March 2022 featured 11 models, each named after a celestial body in our solar system: Mission to the Sun, Mission to Mercury, Mission to Venus, Mission to Earth, Mission to the Moon, Mission to Mars, Mission to Jupiter, Mission to Saturn, Mission to Uranus, Mission to Neptune, and Mission to Pluto. These colourful, bio-ceramic versions of the Speedmaster created unprecedented demand and queues at Swatch stores worldwide, even leading to stampedes in certain stores.
Following this success, Swatch released special editions: the Mission to Moonshine Gold in March 2023, featuring a seconds hand coated with Omega’s Moonshine Gold, and the Mission to the Moonphase in July 2023, which incorporated a unique moonphase complication. Building on this momentum, the brands announced a new launch in the series on July 22, 2024, which will drop from August 1 to 19, 2024, which will no doubt further lure watch enthusiasts and space aficionados alike.
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First human steps recorded on the moon (Photo: courtesy of Nasa/Omega)
The Speedmaster’s aesthetic has evolved subtly over the decades, maintaining its iconic design while incorporating modern advancements. The original 1957 model featured a broad arrow hand and a steel bezel, which later evolved into the black bezel with a tachymeter scale that we recognise today. The dial has seen minor adjustments, such as the inclusion of the ‘Professional’ inscription after its Nasa qualification. These changes have been carefully managed to preserve the watch’s classic look while enhancing its functionality and appeal.
Omega’s celebration of 55th anniversary of the moon landing goes beyond mere commemoration of its Moonwatch. It serves as a reminder of the brand’s commitment to precision, reliability, and innovation. These qualities, which made the Omega Speedmaster indispensable to Nasa, continue to drive Omega’s watchmaking philosophy today.
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