1957
BROAD ARROW
The first Speedmaster
1959
FIRST OMEGA IN SPACE 1963
THIRD GENERATION
Worn by Walter Schirra, this second version of the
Speedmaster differed from the original Broad Arrow
due to its black aluminum bezel, the lollipop seconds
hand for Air Force orders, and Alpha style hour and
minute hands. The watch went on to be the first
Omega worn in space on the wrist of Walter Schirra
on October 3rd, 1962. He chose the Speedmaster as
his personal watch on the Sigma 7 mission of the
Mercury program. Tested and qualified by NASA, this Speedmaster
model was the first watch to pass NASA’s rigorous
testing for flight qualification. A number of brands
submitted their timepieces for testing, but only the
Speedmaster survived. It was launched into legend
when it was worn on Gemini and Apollo missions.
Interestingly, the first model to be qualified would
also be one of the last worn on the moon in 1972.
1964
A.C.P 1965
THE MOONWATCH 1968
THE MOONWATCH
Staying true to the Speedmaster’s racing origins, this
rare model was specially ordered by the Automovil
Club Peruano based in Lima, Peru. The tachymeter
scale on the bezel was ideal for timing laps on the
racetrack, which made the Speedmaster a popular
choice for those in the motoring industry. With an
order of just 50 pieces, this is a very rare piece, distin-
guished by the A.C.P lettering on the dial. When Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin stepped onto
the lunar surface in 1969, this Speedmaster model
became the first watch ever worn on the moon. In
fact, it has since become the watch that has served
on the most lunar missions. In design, the watch was
the first Speedmaster featuring an asymmetrical case,
done so to provide added protection for the crown
and pushers. For the first time, the word “Profes-
sional” was also printed on the dial. This direct link to the Moonwatch of today was
launched in 1968 with the new calibre 861, this model
marke d a major turning point in the history of the
Speedmaster. Not only did the new movement provide
extra innovation, but it was also the first, from 1970
onwards, to include the famous words; “FLIGHT-
QUALIFIED BY NASA FOR ALL MANNED SPACE
MISSIONS”, as well as “THE FIRST WATCH WORN
ON THE MOON”.
The original Speedmaster, this model, called the Broad
Arrow due to its distinctive hands, was not only the
first Speedmaster but was also the first chronograph
wristwatch in the world with its tachymeter scale on
the bezel as opposed to printed on the dial - a feature
designed for the benefit of racing car drivers.
WINTER 2018 | INTERNATIONAL WATCH | 99