Moonwatch Apollo 11 50th anniversary

50 years ago, mankind took its very first steps onto the surface of the moon. The OMEGA Speedmaster was there, strapped to the wrists of the astronauts, and this year, they are paying tribute to the mission’s lasting legacy, with the new Apollo 11 50th Anniversary Limited Edition model of 1,014 pieces.

Four months after Apollo 11 reached the moon in 1969, OMEGA held a special “Astronaut Appreciation Dinner” in Houston, Texas, where the gold Speedmaster BA145.022 was presented to NASA’s astronauts. Only 1,014 of these models were produced between 1969 and 1973, and they remain hugely sought-after by collectors.

Following the design of the famous BA145.022, OMEGA has produced today’s new Limited Edition model in a unique new alloy known as 18K Moonshine gold. There is also a bezel in burgundy ceramic and a vertically-brushed gold dial with hour markers in facetted onyx. On the inside, the watch is driven by the manual-winding OMEGA Master Chronometer Calibre 3861 – complete with burgundy markings and several 18K Moonshine gold parts.

18K Moonshine gold has been used to create this commemorative timepiece. The vertically brushed step dial, also in 18K Moonshine gold, includes facetted onyx hour markers. Inspired by the piece of 1969, a few touches of burgundy have been added, including the ceramic bezel ring, the markings on the caseback and the movement. The inner decorative caseback ring, crafted from 18K Moonshinev gold and blackened, features a partial world map of the American continent and a domed lunar meteorite inlay, representing the true proportions of the Earth and the Moon.

Manual-winding chronograph movement with Co-Axial escapement. Certified Master Chronometer, approved by METAS, resistant to magnetic fields reaching 15,000 gauss. Free-sprung balance with silicon balance spring. Gold plated finish, bridges with straight Geneva waves.