Lot 32

Omega "Speedmaster Professional", Movement No. 28424097, Ref. 145022-69 ST, Cal. 861, 41 mm, circa 1969
A gentleman's highly attractive and rare wristwatch with chronograph, 30 min. and 12h counter, auxiliary seconds, tachy scale and "Tropical Dial"
Case: steel, srew back with Speedmaster logo, anti-magnetic protection cap, "Omega" steel bracelet and deployant clasp. Dial: black. Movm.: 2/3 plate movement, Glucydur screw balance.
Amongst the collectors watches that feature the so-called "tropical dials" are particularly highly sought after. The dials – mostly originally black – have faded over the years from black to brown that bestow the watch with a new and unusual beauty.
"This legendary wrist chronograph had already been developed in 1942; in 1965 it was chosen by NASA as their space watch, after a rigorous selection process during which it triumphed over many excellent competitors. Unchanged since then, the standard Omega Speedmaster Professional has accompanied all American astronauts during their flights in space and reconnaissance missions to the moon – from the Gemini spacecraft to Apollo and the spacelab missions and then today’s Space Shuttle program.
Today the Omega Speedmaster Professional is an integral part of the equipment of all astronauts and cosmonauts travelling in space.
When Neil Armstrong was the first man to walk on the moon on July 21, 1969, his Omega Speedmaster Professional showed that the historic moment took place at exactly 2:56am GMT, when Armstrong spoke the unforgettable words: "One small step for (a) man, one giant leap for mankind."
Source: Les Pièces de Collection Omega

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