Speedmaster 'First Omega in Space'

OMEGA’s Time Machines

H. G. Wells wrote his popular science fction novella, The Time Machine, in 1895. The narrator, called the Time Traveller, explains to his dinner guests that time is simply the fourth dimension and reveals that he has invented a machine that allows him to travel through time as easily as he would between two places.

A year before the book was published, a different type of time machine had been launched in Biel. While its movement through the fourth dimension was not quite as dramatic as that described in Wells’ novel, the 19-ligne calibre was clearly a step into the future. Its unprecedented ease of repair and accuracy revolutionized the Swiss watch industry. The movement was named Omega for the 24th letter of the Greek alphabet – a word that had come to represent perfection. In 1903, OMEGA offcially became the only watchmaker to be named for one of its movements.

Innovative movements have continued to be at the very heart of Omega’s watches. In 1999, we launched the frst watch equipped with a Co-Axial escapement and in 2007, our proprietary Co-Axial calibre 8500 signalled a revolution that was every bit as signifcant as the one sparked by the original Omega calibre.

This year in Basel, we are again introducing new movements. Our Co-Axial family is being extended with GMT and day/date editions. The analogue/digital calibre 5666 offers dedicated functions designed for pilots and equips the new Spacemaster Z-33. 

OMEGA’s innovation extends not only to technologies but to new materials. This year in Basel, CeragoldTM will have its world premiere in a striking new Seamaster Planet Ocean.

The Time Traveller in the 19th century novel had fgured out how to navigate through time in both directions. OMEGA’s time machines only move forward but they do so with incredible accuracy, precision and style, on any of the Earth’s surfaces, deep below its oceans, high in the sky or, when the need arises, on the Moon.

The OMEGA Speedmaster “First Omega in Space” Numbered Edition chronograph

So much has been written about the rigorous testing that led to the OMEGA Speedmaster’s being the only watch qualified for every manned NASA mission that it is easy to forget that the very first OMEGA worn in Space was the Speedmaster that astronaut Wally Schirra wore during his Mercury Atlas 8 mission in October of 1962. To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first Speedmaster to orbit the earth, OMEGA has created the Speedmaster “First Omega in Space” in honour of Wally Schirra and his historic wristwatch.

The OMEGA Speedmaster “First Omega in Space” edition recalls the watch that Schirra bought at a jeweller in Houston more than half a century ago. Inside its 39.70 mm polished, brushed stainless steel case is the legendary self-winding calibre 1861, which earned its reputation as the movement in the legendary OMEGA Speedmaster Moonwatch. There is a black aluminium bezel ring with a tachymetric scale.

Visible through its box-form, scratch-resistant sapphire crystal is the classic varnished black dial that for 55 years has made the Speedmaster the world’s definitive chronograph: the 30-minute and 12-hour counters are located at 3 o’clock and 6 o’clock respectively and the small seconds sub-dial is at 9 o’clock. It has white transferred indexes; the hour markers and hour and minute hands are coated with Super-LumiNova.

The watch has a screw-in stainless steel caseback which is embossed with OMEGA’s original seahorse emblem, the words “THE FIRST OMEGA IN SPACE” and “OCTOBER 3, 1962”, the date of the Mercury Atlas 8 mission. The Speedmaster “First Omega in Space” is a numbered edition and its number is engraved on the caseback.

The OMEGA Speedmaster “First Omega in Space” chronograph is presented on a brown leather strap with beige stitching. The watch is water resistant to 5 bar / 50 metres/ 167 feet. This classic Speedmaster is a fitting way to celebrate the beginning of an adventure that would ultimately lead to six lunar landings and half a century of space exploration.