Curations: Omega’s revamped Speedmaster Moonwatch has landed, with a Master Chronometer movement on board
- The Swiss luxury watchmaker drew design inspiration from the iconic watch model worn by Nasa astronauts during the first walk on the moon in 1969
- Inside the case, the Master Chronometer-certified Calibre 3861 provides significant upgrades in precision, performance and magnetic resistance
Over more than six decades, Omega’s Speedmaster Moonwatch has been on an epic journey that includes lunar landings with Nasa astronauts. Now, the iconic timepiece is rocketing into the future with an updated design that adds a Master Chronometer-certified movement.
While the revamp introduces significant technical upgrades, the Swiss luxury watchmaker took care to preserve the original spirit of its revered Moonwatch in the aesthetic details. Raynald Aeschlimann, president and CEO of Omega, says: “This chronograph is recognised the world over, so we’ve approached its design with the most sincere respect.”
The origins of the watch date back to 1957, when Omega sought to devise a highly precise chronograph that was also sturdy, waterproof and easy to use. It came up with the Speedmaster, which became a signature timepiece for the brand, distinguished by the tachymeter scale set on the bezel.
In 1965, the Speedmaster qualified for use in Nasa’s manned space missions after surviving a barrage of intense tests conducted by the US space agency. The watch made its first official trip into space just three weeks later, worn by astronauts on the Gemini 3 mission.
Later that year, Omega introduced the fourth-generation design of the watch, which would become known as the original Moonwatch. This model, commonly referenced as ST 105.012, was worn by astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin for their historic first walk on the moon during the Apollo 11 mission in 1969.
The timepiece accompanied Nasa astronauts on five more lunar landings, and also played a vital role in the dramatic Apollo 13 rescue mission. After an on-board explosion crippled the spacecraft en route to the moon, the crew used their Speedmasters to time engine burns that positioned them for a safe return to Earth.
The fourth-generation Speedmaster featured an asymmetrical case with twisted lugs that added protection for the crown and pushers. It served as Omega’s inspiration for the Moonwatch redesign, which includes the same classic case shape and lugs in addition to short and wide pushers. Other details carried over from the watch’s space age are a step dial and double bevel caseback.
Inside the case of the new model is Omega’s Calibre 3861, which spent four years in development to improve the power reserve and enhance chronometric performance. The movement features the watchmaker’s innovative Co-Axial escapement and anti-magnetic components such as a silicon balance spring.