Omega Speedmaster "First OMEGA In Space" Co-Axial Master Chronometer steel bracelet 39,7 mm

The story

It was in 1962, during the Mercury Sigma 7 mission, that the history of the Omega Speedmaster and space exploration first intersected. Almost two and a half years before the OMEGA Speedmaster was officially approved by NASA for all its manned missions, astronaut Wally Schirra took his personal Speedmaster chronograph into space on the Mercury Sigma 7 mission. Wally broke new ground by circling the Earth six times in a mission lasting 9 hours, 13 minutes and 11 seconds. As the Gemini and Apollo programs progressed, Schirra logged a total of 295 hours in space. On each of his missions, he is accompanied by his OMEGA Speedmaster watch.

This famous watch, worn by Schirra, was originally identified by its reference number, CK 2998, a reference first marketed in 1959 and representing the second generation of the Speedmaster family. It was distinguished by its slender Alpha hands, symmetrical case and dark bezel, all of which differed from the first Speedmaster model released in 1957

Subsequently, the CK 2998 earned its nickname of “the first OMEGA in space” and has always enjoyed great popularity with Speedmaster enthusiasts and fans around the world, a “Grall” to some. For the year 2024, OMEGA will delight “Speed” afficionados with this 2024 “re-edition”, which takes up the design of the second-generation Speedmaster from 1959, aka CK 2998.

A timeless design

The 39.7 mm stainless steel case, with its clean, elegant lines, recalls that of the CK 2998. Beneath the brand-new hesalite-like sapphire crystal, OMEGA has included a “Step dial” coated with a grey-blue CVD layer, reproducing the tone of certain watches produced in the 1960s. In addition to the hour markers and Alpha hour/minute hands filled with vintage Super-LumiNova, the central “Baton” seconds hand is varnished white to match the transferred markers.

In keeping with the OMEGA brand's heritage, the watch features two vintage OMEGA logos, one on the dial and another on the crown. The historical celebration continues on the caseback, where OMEGA has integrated a seahorse-shaped medallion and the engravings: “SPEEDMASTER”, “THE FIRST OMEGA IN SPACE” and “OCTOBER 3, 1962”. The black aluminum bezel features the legendary tachymeter scale displaying the famous dot above the number 90.

The first OMEGA in space is presented on a new polished and satin-finished steel bracelet with tapered “Flat-Link” flat links, as found on the “ED White” versions, with OMEGA's patented comfort adjustment system. You can also opt for brown leather straps, reminiscent of the original.

Finally, this Speed is presented in an exclusive case with a “LEGENDARY MOONWATCH” leaflet inside.

A Master Chronometer Co-Axial caliber

Of course, like rocket technology, innovation has progressed considerably since the 1960s. To give this collection a significant engine upgrade, each watch is equipped with a Co-Axial Master Chronometer 3861 caliber.

This movement is not new, as it already equips all new versions of the Moonwatch since 2021. It's the latest version of the legendary caliber 321 trusted by astronauts on the moon, and this movement is partly based on caliber 1861, albeit with no less than 50% new components.

It features a Co-Axial escapement, which reduces friction and increases its precision, which averages between 0 and +5 seconds per day. Officially certified by METAS, this caliber is capable of withstanding magnetic fields in excess of 15,000 gauss and has a 50-hour power reserve.