Omega. A rare stainless steel water-resistant chronograph wristwatch

Reference ST 145.022 succeeded references ST 105.003 (lot 22) and ST 105.012 and was also called the "Pre-Moon" (before the first step on the Moon). It had the Hippocampus engraved on the case back which was later replaced by the engraved inscription "first watch worn on the moon".

The particularity of the present watch however is its bezel, calibrated for the telemetre scale as opposed to the common tachymetre version, and the highly attractive brown-coloured dial which over the years has changed from black to a warm chocolate brown.

For a description and illustration of the model see Omega - A Journey Through Time by Marco Richon, p. 604.

Pre-Lot Text

Lots 20 and 22 are from Omega's celebrated "Speedmaster" series launched in 1965, the only wristwatch to have withstood all of the U.S. space agency's severe tests under conditions of zero gravity and magnetic fields, extreme shocks, vibrations and temperatures ranging from -18 to +93 degrees Celsius and consequently "flight-qualified by NASA for all manned space missions". In the same year, the watch was for the first time worn officially on board the Gemini 3 mission.

The greatest moment in the Speedmaster's history was undoubtedly 21 July 1969 at 02:56 GMT, when it recorded man's first steps on the Moon's surface. The Apollo 11 mission was a milestone in history and the Speedmaster became the first watch (and the only watch since) to be worn on the Moon. With this unique accomplishment came a unique nickname: the "Moon Watch".