Omega Speedmaster ref. BA 145.022-69, 'Tribute To Apollo XI' Early Example

Dealer description — Oliver & Clarke

The Omega Speedmaster is one of the most historically important, if not the most important wrist watch ever produced, full stop. Its story can be summed up with one simple acronym: NASA. Surely, this is not a watch that needs an introduction with our audience.... And as with so many other icons and popular vintage models, the Speedmaster has seen countless iterations and variants over its nearly 70-years of continuous production. The Reference that we have here, a BA 145.022-69, is something incredibly special and quite rare. Between 1969 and 1973, Omega produced a limited number of solid yellow gold Speedmasters to commemorate the Apollo XI mission, the first 30 of which were given to Swiss executives and those closely involved with the mission, the remaining of which were sold to the public. This particular example is a very early (and low number) example dating to circa 1969 and simply put, it remains in outstanding overall condition. Unpolished throughout, the case is wonderfully preserved, with clear and prominent factory finishing. The engravings on the caseback and the individual number also remain crisp and clear. The maroon 'DON' bezel has developed an attractive, gentle brown fade. Inside, the unique 'stepped' dial features a 'brushed' champagne surface with an applied logo, applied yellow gold indices with 'onyx' inserts, and a black-painted handset to match. The correct yellow gold bracelet is also in matching condition, with fantastic factory finishing throughout and a signed blade clasp. Vintage Omega, with Speedmasters in particular, are something of a bargain on the market today, relative to their position just five or so years ago... and despite the relative availability of many of these references, it is not often that we see one of these. This is both the first gold Speedmaster as well as the first numbered edition, and a historically important variant of, yes, the most important watch of all time.