Omega Speedmaster Watches

More about Omega Speedmaster Watches

On 1st March 1965, OMEGA's Speedmaster chronograph was flight-qualified by NASA for all manned space missions as 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. Later that month, the Omega Speedmaster watch was for the first time worn officially on board the Gemini 3 mission. In April 1970, the OMEGA Speedmaster famously rescued the Apollo 13 mission from a potential disaster, earning OMEGA the Snoopy Award, the highest distinction awarded by the NASA astronauts. In another historical event, the Speedmaster was worn on the wrists of both the American astronaut Tom Stafford and the Russian cosmonaut Alexei Leonov during the historic Apollo-Soyuz space rendezvous. This was the first time the cosmonauts also wore the OMEGA Speedmaster. Ever since, the Speedmaster has been the official chronograph of all Russian manned space missions. However, 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. As space exploration continued to break through new frontiers, the OMEGA Speedmaster was again selected by NASA in 1978 as its official chronograph for the new Space Shuttle program following a new series of harsh tests. The Speedmaster was later subjected to yet another gruelling test on board the Russian space station MIR between July 1993 and July 1994. The success of this exceptional test is attested by a certificate initialled by the MIR crew. The OMEGA Speedmaster had become the most tested watch in the world. Russia's pioneering space station MIR was again used as an orbiting test laboratory in 1998 for OMEGA's X-33 multifunction chronograph. After successful completion of the tests, MIR also offered a unique opportunity for presenting the watch to the public via a live satellite link-up with the Houston Space Center. The Speedmaster X-33 is now flight-qualified by both NASA and the Russian space agency and is therefore included in the standard equipment issued to all astronauts and cosmonauts. However, the legendary OMEGA Speedmaster Professional also remains an item of standard equipment and is still worn for extra-vehicular activity.

View a complete list of Omega watches.