Lot 351

Omega

Speedmaster Apollo XI Straight Writing

A legendary vintage wrist chronograph

The Speedmaster reference 145.022 was an extremely long-lived reference and is regarded as the turning point in the continuous development of the Speedmaster. It is the first Speedmaster model featuring the legendary caliber 861, a cam switch movement that was easier to produce in large numbers. The Speedmaster reference 145.022-69 was produced from 1969 to 1971 and can be categorised as "before the moon landing" and "after the moon landing". Before the moon landing in July 1969 the Speedmaster models still carried the Speedmaster logo on the case back.
On occasion of the landing on the moon in July 1969, Omega launched some few Speedmaster models reference 145.022 with a new caseback design to commemorate the mission: the caseback bears a horizontal engraving of the words "The first watch worn on the Moon". To the collectors, these examples of the Speedmaster are known as "Straight Writing" Speedmasters.
The case and the bezel show some slight surface scratching as is appropriate for its age. The stepped dial is slightly patinated and the indexes have acquired a cream-coloured hue, which gives the watch a new, attractive beauty.