If we think that the Moonwatch was the first watch worn on the moon, the moon-landing 50th Anniversary marks an important step for mankind as well as for Omega.
Being fans and owners of this model, we couldn’t miss the official press presentation of the two most awaited Speedmasters of the year: the Apollo 11 50th Anniversary Limited Edition in stainless steel and Moonshine Gold.
The place
The night was held at “Carlo e Camilla in Duomo” restaurant in Milan, a new project by Chef Carlo Cracco, that reinvents his old Via Hugo restaurant to create a pleasing and groomed environment, just a few steps from the Cathedral.
Scenically, the whole event was focused on black and gold, also in the proposed courses.
Black as sidereal darkness, golden as the Apollo 11 and as well as the astronaut, the real star of the night, to someone.
If you’ve been following the stories or you’re a good observer, you could see him in all sizes and almost every picture, to point out the strong link between NASA and space missions, that Omega had for a long time.
Not everyone noted a detail though… the life-size astronaut (in the second picture) was wearing a real watch!
The people
To host the event, clarifying every doubt and curiosity, we found the Omega staff, together with Matteo Convenevole, Malik Bey and the extraordinary presence of the Product Manager Gregory Kisslilng, which we discusussed the brand’s latest moves with.
We had another special guest: Chef Cracco, that discovered the two novelties with us.
Naturally, we couldn’t help to spot the watch he chose for the occasion, as you can see in the picture and on our page.
It’s a Speedmaster 304.30.44.52.01.001 with moonphase, confirming, along with his cuisine, a peculiar and not trivial taste.
The news
Let’s now move to the two watches, both thoroughly and impeccably presented by the Omega team.
Speedmaster Apollo 11 50th Anniversary Limited Edition in Moonshine™ Gold
Born to pay tribute to the BA 145.022 manufactured in 1969 to celebrate the Apollo 11, this Speedmaster combines colors in a rare-to-see variant.
In this new version, presented in 1014 pieces with a list price of 32.500€, the manufacturing materials are changed, as well as the caliber, but the original aesthetic is untouched.
Released a few months ago, it faced different opinions, ranging from
superb to tacky.
To us, it’s one of the brand’s best releases in a while, introducing yellow
gold in the Speedmaster line in the best way possible.
We covered all the specs of both models in our stories, but let’s have a quick recap:
- Case, bracelet and dial in Moonshine™ 18K gold: a gold, copper, silver and palladium alloy, specifically realized by Omega.
- Caliber 3861: the latest evolution of the historical 861, then 1861 and 3861 today, with coaxial escapement.
- OM engraved dial (“Or Massif”, solid gold) and 750 in the center.
- Bordeaux ceramic bezel insert in Ceragold with DON (Dot Over Ninety) and tachy scale.
- Sapphire case back with a moon shard and Bordeaux prints.
Speedmaster Apollo 11 50th Anniversary Limited Edition in Stainless Steel
Over all gold-steel watches on the market, it surely is the one that mixes these two metals in the most charming way, with an elegant result and sharp modernity.
Simple at first glance, its refinement is clear after a quick look.
Young and very rich in details, it is born from the desire to celebrate the Apollo 11 mission in the best way possible. And it comes with a reasonable price and a not-too-limited edition.
Presented in 6969 pieces with a list price of 9.200€, the new Apollo is a must have for the ones who don’t want to differ from the classic stainless-steel model but are not looking for the average Speedmaster.
Let’s recall the details quickly:
- Indexes, hands, bezel and graphics in Moonshine gold
- Ceramic bezel with Ceragold insert and “classic” DON tachymeter scale.
- Subdial at 9 with a Moonshine gold laser-engraved badge, representing Buzz Aldrin taking its first step on the moon’s surface.
- Index at 11 manufactured with two small Moonshine gold “1”.
- Case back featuring the man footprint on the moon (engraved in Moonshine gold and then treated) and the historical Armstrong’s phrase “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind”.
The set is remarkable too, composed by a big box, a moon-lander-shaped watch stand, two patches, two medals with the coordinates and the exact time of the moon landing, and a cork NATO strap.
Next to the two new Apollos, there was something special…
How many of you wore an original Apollo XI from 69?
Now, how many of you wore the Apollo XI gifted to Richard Nixon? Everyone at the event.
Together with its little brother from 2019, the original watch was displayed. Number 1 of 1000 produced, presented by Omega to Richard Nixon at the “Astrounaut Appreciation Dinner” hosted in Houston, November ’69.
At this event, the first 28 Speedmaster BA 145.022 were given to the participants, leaving the chance to the public to buy the other 967 examples, from 33 to 1000.
The peculiarity of this watch, besides the “to mark man’s conquest of space with time, through time, on time” engraving on the case back, it’s its story.
The President was actually forced to decline the gift by Omega because of a law setting a value limit on the gifts to State Officials, this watch being well above.
A museum piece that we’re proud to been able to admire and wear, thanks to Omega who kept this treasure safe for five decades.
The presence of the historical BA 145.022 let us compare the new 2019 “re-edition”, which revealed two strong character watches, both amazing for their era.
We want to thank again the whole Omega team for the amazing experience, that allowed us to truly discover the new collection and its amazing story. We hope to have the chance to tell you a lot more about the Speedmaster and the rich history of this Maison.
Translated by Lorenzo Spolaor (@itsdoc_oclock)
