
Wristwatches · Wristwatch
Omega Speedmaster Mark II 145.014 Calibre 861, 1970
- Maker / attribution
- Omega (maker)
- Date
- 1970
- Historical period
- Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)
- Country of origin
- Switzerland
- Object type
- Wristwatch
- Dimensions
- Case 41 mm
- Stock no.
- WOSMMKII70
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, Craft & Tailored (WOSMMKII70)
- Catalogue title (original)
- 1970 OMEGA SPEEDMASTER MARK II 145.014 CALIBRE 861 (English)
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Record summary
Catalogued by Craft & Tailored (dealer), Los Angeles (stock number WOSMMKII70), this is a wristwatch by Omega, made in Switzerland, dated 1970. The Atlas places it in the Quartz Revolution period (1969 – 1990) of its Wristwatches collection. Recorded dimensions: Case 41 mm. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.
Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.
Catalogue description
Dealer description — Craft & Tailored
We are pleased to offer this stunning early production 1970 Omega Speedmaster Professional MKII. This specific MK II has been fully overhauled and retains an original unpolished case that is not commonly seen with Omega MK II Speedmaster's of this vintage. The watch recently underwent a full service and received a set of Omega NOS hands and a new Omega mineral glass crystal. History: After the Omega Speedmaster Professional was worn on the Moon in 1969, Omega decided to come up with a watch that fit the design trends of the 1970s, thus the Omega Speedmaster Professional MKII was born. The Speedmaster Mark II came with the same Lemania based movement as the original Speedmaster Professional "Moonwatch", reference 145.022 . This watch contains Omega’s original caliber 861 movement and was in production from 1968 and lasted until 1996 when omega introduced the the caliber 1861 movement. Unlike the Speedmaster Professional, the Omega Speedmaster Mark II has a barrel shaped case that has polished changers and a brushed top and sides, giving it a different look from the standard Speedmaster Professional case worn by the NASA Astronauts. The classic Tachymetre that the speedmaster is known for is also different; it is under the mineral glass crystal and not externally located on the outside of the crystal as an external bezel, in essence protecting the Tacymetre from scratches or disruption. Unlike modern timepieces with a scratch resistant sapphire crystals, pieces of this era were assembled with mineral glass crystals. This piece is in stunning and fantastic condition that would make it a great addition to a growing collection! Stock # WOSMMKII70 Brand Omega Style Speedmaster Model Mark II Serial 31,6XX,XXX Size Mens Material SS Dial Black Millimeters 41mm Bracelet Original Omega 1162 SS Bracelet CASE & BRACELET The case of this Omega MKII is in outstanding unpolished condition and possesses the original polished chamfers as well as the factory brushed case top and sides that commonly over polished and/or destroyed. The watch will come on the original Omega 1162 stainless steel bracelet which shows very minimal stretch for its age. The crystal has been replaced with an original N.O.S MKII replacement and has zero scuffing and or scratching found common on the mineral glass crystals used for the MKII. DIAL & HANDS The dial and lume plots are in stunning condition and show very minimal signs of lume degragation. The hands have been replaced with Original Omega N.O.S hands and are period correct. ACCESSORIES None. Watch is running at C.O.S.C Spec
Historical context
Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)
Seiko's Astron begins mass quartz timekeeping; traditional industries contract sharply.
Quartz and digital watches transformed the market after 1969. Swiss employment collapsed, Japanese and Hong Kong production soared, and the Swatch (1983) helped the Swiss industry recover; mechanical watches survived as luxury goods.
Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Modern Mechanical Horology
Atlas type guide
Wristwatches
Bracelet watches were worn by women from the early nineteenth century — Breguet made one for Caroline Murat, Queen of Naples, in 1810–12 — but the wristwatch only became a man's instrument with military use and aviation in the early twentieth century. Between the World Wars it overtook the pocket watch; the 1920s and 1930s brought rectangular Art Deco cases, water-resistant cases and the first automatic winding systems.
After 1945 the wristwatch became a carrier of identity — dress watches, sports and dive watches, chronographs, calendars — produced by Swiss, American, Japanese, German, Soviet and Chinese industries. The quartz revolution after 1969 and the mechanical renaissance since the 1990s, including the rise of independent watchmakers, complete the story.
What to look for
- The reference number (between the lugs or inside the case back) and serial number, the starting point for dating.
- The calibre: its maker and number are often stamped under the dial or on the bridge.
- Originality of dial, hands and crown — refinished ('redial') dials are common.
- Case material marks: 18K/750, 14K/585, stainless steel, gold-filled, plated.
Dating clues
- Wire-lug cases: before c. 1925.
- Water-resistant screw-down cases: from 1926.
- Quartz movements: from 1969; sapphire crystals widespread after c. 1980.
General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.
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