This limited edition OMEGA Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch series celebrates the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 lunar mission.
The first manned lunar landing on the 20th of July, 1969 was the greatest, most dramatic scientific achievement in human history.
When Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin stepped onto the moon’s surface at 02:56 GMT on the 21st of July, Aldrin was wearing his OMEGA Speedmaster and a legend was born. An interesting footnote: the electronic timing system on the Lunar Module was not functioning correctly so Armstrong had left his watch aboard as a reliable backup.
Now OMEGA joins the world in the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the first moon landing with the release of the Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch Apollo 11 “40th Anniversary” Limited Edition.
It is fitting that the distinctive timepiece is powered by OMEGA’s famous calibre 1861, the same movement used in the original Speedmaster Professional Moon Watch. The stainless steel casebody is delivered with a stainless steel bracelet which has been upgraded to include OMEGA’s patented screw and pin system.
The black dial also recalls that of the Moon Watch with some key differences. The small seconds counter (sub-dial) has been created in the form of a small medallion which features an adaptation of Apollo 11’s famous mission patch: an eagle descends to the lunar surface with an olive branch representing peace in its claws. In the distance, far above the horizon, the earth is visible.
The patch, interestingly, was designed by Michael Collins who remained in the Apollo 11 capsule as Command Module Pilot while his colleagues Armstrong and Aldrin were in the Lunar Module and on the moon.
The watch’s hour, minute and the red-tipped chronograph seconds hands are coated with Super-LumiNova. The minute and hour chronograph counter hands are white and the brushed, rhodium-plated small seconds hand offers an attractive contrast to the medallion on the counter. Below the words “OMEGA Speedmaster PROFESSIONAL” on the dial, the legend 02:56 GMT – the exact time that Neil Armstrong made his “one small step” onto the moon – is displayed in red.
The 40th Anniversary Limited Edition’s dial is protected by Hesalite, the same robust, shatter-proof acrylic crystal found on the original Moon Watch. Hesalite was ideally suited for use in space – there was no chance that it could break apart and send potentially dangerous fragments into the low-gravity environment. A small, distinctive OMEGA logo has been etched evocatively inside the Hesalite crystal.
The Apollo 11 “Eagle” mission patch is stamped on the caseback along with the words, “THE FIRST WATCH WORN ON THE MOON”, the limited edition number (0000/7969), and “July 21, 1969”, the date Armstrong and Aldrin first stepped onto the moon’s surface at 02:56, the time which is printed on the dial.
The OMEGA Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch Apollo 11 “40th Anniversary” Limited Edition is delivered in a black presentation box which also includes a 42 mm silver medal (the same diameter as the watch) featuring an engraving of the mission patch on one side with the words “APOLLO 11, 40th ANNIVERARY”.
On the reverse side, the medal is engraved, “THE EAGLE HAS LANDED”; “LAUNCHED JULY 16 1969”; “LANDED JULY 20, 1969”; and “RETURNED, JULY 24, 1969” along with OMEGA’s name and logo.
Also in the presentation box is a certificate of authenticity and an envelope containing a black polishing cloth with information commemorating the historic space flight.Centuries from now, historians will continue to look back in wonder at the Apollo 11 mission.
OMEGA Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch Apollo 11 40th Anniversary Limited Edition Platinum Version
A platinum version of the OMEGA Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch Apollo 11 “40th Anniversary” watch is also being released in an edition limited to 69 pieces.
The casebody and screw and pin bracelet are made of platinum and the medallion on the small seconds counter is made of 18 Ct yellow gold as is the small seconds hand. The hour and minute hands as well as the 30 minute and 12 hour counter hands are made of platinum.
This elegant version of the watch is also delivered with a 42 mm 18 Ct yellow gold medal, in a limited and numbered edition, with the mission patch engraved on one side along with the words “APOLLO 11, 40th ANNIVERSARY”.
As with the sterling silver medal included with the stainless steel watch, the reverse side features the engraved legend: “THE EAGLE HAS LANDED”; “LAUNCHED JULY 16 1969”; “LANDED JULY 20, 1969”; and “RETURNED, JULY 24, 1969” along with OMEGA’s name and logo.
The caseback features the mission patch in 18 Ct gold with the words “Apollo 11 40th Anniversary”. Around the platinum outer ring of the caseback appear the words, “The first Watch Worn on the Moon”, “PT950” – a reference to the watch’s platinum content, and “July 21, 1969”, the date that Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin stepped onto the lunar surface.
Like the stainless steel watch, the platinum version of the Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch Apollo 11 “40th Anniversary” features the shatterproof Hesalite crystal and the OMEGA calibre 1861 movement.
A subtle reminder on the small medallion on the dial indicates just how special this watch is: the limited edition number (00/69) is engraved at the base of the small mission patch on the dial.
The platinum Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch Apollo 11 “40th Anniversary” Limited Edition are delivered in a striking wooden case with elegant ornamental marquetry. The limited edition number (00/69) is embossed on the top cover of the case along with the Apollo 11 mission patch.
The steel feet are engraved with “1969”, the year the Apollo 11 mission took place and “2009”, the year the world commemorated its 40th anniversary and the year the watch was produced. The case also includes a certificate of authenticity.
Technical details
Model: OMEGA Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch Apollo 11 “40th Anniversary” Limited Editions
References
311.30.42.30.01.002: Stainless steel version
311.90.42.30.01.001: Platinum version
Movement
Omega calibre 1861 (Movement used in the famous “Moon Watch”)
Manual-winding chronograph
Jewels: 18
Frequency: 21’600 A/h (3 Hz)
Power reserve: 45 hours
Glucydur balance wheel
Display
Central hour-minute hands, small-seconds at 9H
Central chronograph seconds hand, 30-minute recorder at 3H, 12-hour recorder at 6H
Case
Case: 950 platinum with incrusted 18Ct yellow gold medallion or stainless steel
Diameter: 42.00 mm
Height: 13.90mm (Pt) / 14.15 mm (ST)
Water resistant up to: 50 m (167 ft)
Polished-brushed case, black aluminium ring with tachymeter scale on bezel
Polished crown – pushers, Ω on crown
Pt 950: box-form scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both sides;
ST: domed hesalite crystal with Ω at the centre
Pt 950: 2-piece screw-in caseback set with central medallion in 18Ct yellow gold
ST: 1-piece screw-in caseback centrally embossed with APOLLO 11 patch and “40th ANNIVERSARY”; & Pt 950: polished outer ring in 950 platinum
ST: outer circle black chrome engraved with “THE FIRST WATCH WORN ON THE MOON”, “JULY 21, 1969” and limited edition number
Dial
Matt black “Moon” dial, red “02:56 GMT” above centre
950 platinum or matt white index; Super-LumiNova
950 platinum or transferred white Ω
18Ct yellow gold (for Pt, with limited edition number “00/69”) or 925 silver (for ST) mini medallion stamped with Apollo 11 patch, set in 9H subdial
Hands
950 platinum or matt “Moon” hour-minute hands; Super-LumiNova
Rhodium-plated or matt “Moon” chrono seconds hand; Super-LumiNova, red tip
950 platinum or matt “Moon” chrono subdial hands
Brushed 18Ct yellow gold or rhodium-plated small-seconds hand
Bracelet
Bracelet: 950 platinum or stainless steel
Brushed-polished Omega patented screw-and-pin bracelet with safety clasp
Fitting: 20mm between lugs
Other Specifications
Limited edition of 69 (Pt) or 7’969 (ST) pieces
Delivered with a special Apollo 11 medal in Ø 42mm
– Pt 950: 24Ct gold with limited edition number, ~85g
– ST: 925 silver, ~40g
Special presentation box (with limited edition number for platinum model)
