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Omega Speedmaster Mark II (Ref. 145.014) CAL. 861 "Pulsations", 1970 — view 1 of 6
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Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Omega Speedmaster Mark II (Ref. 145.014) CAL. 861 "Pulsations", 1970

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Omega (maker)
Date
1970
Country of origin
Switzerland
Object type
Wristwatch
Dimensions
Case 41 mm
Stock no.
WOSMMKII70-4
Credit line
Dealer listing, Craft & Tailored (WOSMMKII70-4)
Catalogue title (original)
1970 OMEGA Speedmaster Mark II (Ref. 145.014) CAL. 861 "Pulsations" (English)

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Record summary

Catalogued by Craft & Tailored (dealer), Los Angeles (stock number WOSMMKII70-4), 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

Following the Omega Speedmaster Professional that 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 caliber 1861 movement. Unlike the Speedmaster Professional, the Omega Speedmaster Mark II has a barrel-shaped case that has polished chamfers and a brushed top and sides, giving it a different look from the standard Speedmaster Professional case worn by NASA Astronauts. The classic timing scale 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 timing scale from scratches or disruption. Unlike modern timepieces with scratch-resistant sapphire crystals, pieces of this era were assembled with mineral glass crystals. In some very limited examples, Omega used different timing scales other than the Speedmaster's famed tachymetre timing scale. Their specialized bezels included the decimal bezel, the telemeter bezel, and the pulsometer bezel, which we see here. The pulsometer or "Pulsations" bezel was designed with medical professionals in mind to measure the heart rate. When measuring heart rate, it's designed for the chronograph to be started at the first heartbeat and stopped on the 15th. The second hand will then indicate the heartbeats per minute. Stock # WOSMMKII70-4 Brand Omega Style Speedmaster Mark II Model 145.014 Serial 32XXXXXX Size Men's Material SS Dial Black Millimeters 41mm Bracelet Omega 1162/173 Stainless Steel Bracelet CASE & BRACELET The stunning case has been recently polished to reflect the Mark II's original factory lines and dimensions with strong brushing and angles throughout. The case retains its original pump pushers and "Omega" signed crown. The case back retains its original factory engravings in clear and visible condition, though lightly polished. The Omega 1162/173 bracelet is also in excellent condition retaining 23 links with some stretch from use. DIAL & HANDS The matte black Mark II dial has a wonderful vintage look and is in very good condition. The dial does show some light spotting from age that is throughout and only visible under a loupe. The tritium markers have taken on a light creamy green patina and show no degradation under U.V. light inspection. The hands are later Omega service replacement luminova hands, they remain in excellent condition and match the watch nicely. ACCESSORIES None. Watch is running at spec, previous service history is unknown.

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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