When you strip back the fanfare, social media frenzies and obsession with status symbols, not many brands can hold their own as true watchmaking Maisons that transcend generations and care about the craft. Omega cuts through the noise with its continuous drive to innovate, and none of its timepieces demonstrate its savoir-faire more so than the Speedmaster. The Speedmaster made history when it debuted in 1957 as the first chronograph to carry its tachymeter scale on the bezel, and its matte dial was something unheard of in the watchmaking world. Designed with shatter-proof Hesalite crystal, broad arrow hands to be read at speed (if necessary) and a case that can survive intense pressure variations, the Speedmaster skyrocketed Omega’s success, eventually becoming the watch trusted by astronauts around the world. Here, MOJEH Men reveals five astonishing facts you may not know about the Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch.
Making History
In 1962, astronaut Wally Schirra wore a CK 2998 Speedmaster during the Mercury-Atlas 8 mission on Sigma 7. This was his personal watch and, after seeing its capabilities, NASA began rigorous testing to assess how its mechanisms would hold up against the elements – that is vacuums, fluctuating temperatures, humidity, vibration and shock resistance. It passed every test. In 1964, the ST 105.003 became the only watch in the world to be flight-qualified for all manned space missions and, in 1965, astronaut Edward White wore the ST 105.003 during America’s first spacewalk.
Touchdown
In 1969, Buzz Aldrin wore a Speedmaster ST 105.012 during the Apollo 11 moon landing; it was the primary device as the module’s electronic timer failed. Only 12 people have ever walked on the moon and each one of them was wearing an Omega Speedmaster. In addition, the history-making timepiece has accompanied every US manned space flight since 1965 and is currently in use in Russia’s MIR International Space Station.
A Safe Return
During the Apollo 13 mission in 1970, the reserve oxygen and hydrogen tank in the service module resulted in a system failure. A Speedmaster was used to time the re-firing of the entry rockets and ultimately corrected the re-entry trajectory in order to bring the astronauts home safely. Omega was awarded the Silver Snoopy Award by NASA for this life-saving contribution to flight safety.
Mechanical Marvel
The Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional was powered by a manually wound Omega Calibre 321. First introduced in 1942, the mechanism was incredibly precise and its components could be interchanged without modification, leading to its recognition as one of the best chronograph movements ever made. In 1968, the mechanism was updated to the Calibre 861 – more efficient to produce, it met the increasing consumer demands of the Speedmaster without compromising on quality.
Secret Missions
Many of Omega’s Speedmaster timepieces were created under top secret conditions. The Mark II includes features from a secret project that was developed to allow for prolonged use on a lunar service, and included a rounded watch case and protected crown. The X-33 timepiece, named after a secret NASA project regarding space shuttle vehicles, includes space-specific digital functions and was the first timepiece to be launched via livestream from space.
A New Chapter
The 2026 Speedmaster Moonwatch honours history with a classic 42mm asymmetrical case, crown and pusher protection, lyre-shaped lugs and external tachymeter bezels that take inspiration from the 4th-generation Speedmaster worn on the moon. It is powered by the Omega Co-Axial Master Chronometrer Calibre 3861, an homage to the original mechanism, and features sapphire crystal glass on the front and caseback. Available in stainless steel or (the rather impressive) 18K Moonshine Gold, the new iteration allows collectors to own an innovative timepiece steeped in history. Learn more
