The history of the Omega Speedmaster "Moonwatch" is a timeline of technical innovation meeting the unique, high-stakes demands of the United States space program.
It is arguably the most famous chronograph wristwatch in the world, renowned as the "First Watch Worn on the Moon."
The Origin: A Racing Chronograph (1957 – 1964)
The Speedmaster was initially created for a completely different environment: the racetrack.
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1957 (CK2915): The first Speedmaster was released as part of Omega's "Professional" trilogy (alongside the Seamaster 300 and Railmaster). It was designed for sport and racing, and notably featured the tachymeter scale on the bezel (an industry first, improving legibility). It was powered by the legendary column-wheel chronograph movement, the Calibre 321.
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1962 (First in Space): Astronaut Wally Schirra wore his personal 2nd generation Speedmaster (Ref. CK2998) during the Mercury-Atlas 8 mission. This unofficial trip made the Speedmaster the first Omega watch in space.
The Qualification: NASA's Rigorous Testing (1964 – 1965)
In the early 1960s, NASA began searching for a flight-qualified chronograph to be issued to all astronauts.
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1964 (The Trials): NASA engineer James Ragan anonymously purchased chronographs from several major brands (Omega, Rolex, Longines, etc.) and subjected them to a brutal battery of tests simulating launch, space, and lunar conditions (extreme heat: $200^\circ\text{F}$; cold: $0^\circ\text{F}$; humidity, shock, acceleration, and vacuum).
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March 1, 1965 (Qualification): The Omega Speedmaster (Ref. ST105.003) was the only watch to survive the tests, performing within acceptable limits. It was officially declared "Flight Qualified for all Manned Space Missions" by NASA.
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June 1965 (First Spacewalk): Just three months after qualification, astronaut Ed White wore his Speedmaster during America's first-ever spacewalk (Gemini 4 mission).
The Legacy: The Moon Landing (1969 – Present)
The Speedmaster's official designation led to its most famous role:
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July 20, 1969 (Moon Landing): The Speedmaster Professional became the "First Watch Worn on the Moon." Neil Armstrong left his watch behind in the Lunar Module as a backup for a malfunctioning on-board timer. His crewmate, Buzz Aldrin, was wearing his Ref. ST105.012 when he stepped onto the lunar surface.
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1968 – 1969 (The Movement Change): Omega updated the movement from the complex Calibre 321 (column wheel) to the more robust and easier-to-produce Calibre 861 (cam-actuated). The first watches with the new movement (Ref. 145.022) began to feature the famous inscription on the caseback: "Flight Qualified by NASA for all Manned Space Missions. The First Watch Worn on the Moon."
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1970 (The Snoopy Award): During the Apollo 13 crisis, astronaut Jack Swigert used his Speedmaster to precisely time the critical 14-second engine burn required to correct the spacecraft's trajectory and ensure a safe return. For this life-saving role, Omega received the Silver Snoopy Award from NASA.
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1997 (Calibre Update): The movement was refined and rhodium-plated, becoming the Calibre 1861 (and the decorated 1863 for display casebacks).
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2021 (The Master Chronometer Era): Omega introduced the current-generation Moonwatch (Ref. 310.30.42.50.01.001), featuring the updated Calibre 3861. This manual-wind movement maintains the original's lineage but includes the Co-Axial escapement and Master Chronometer certification, making it highly resistant to magnetic fields and more precise ( to seconds per day).
