Wristwatches · Wristwatch
Stainless steel Omega ref. 145.022 Speedmaster 'Apollo Soyuz' chronograph wristwatch, 1976
- Maker / attribution
- OMEGA (maker)
- Date
- 1976
- Historical period
- Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)
- Country of origin
- Unrecorded in source
- Object type
- Wristwatch
- Materials / technique
- stainless steel
- Dimensions
- Case 42 mm
- Stock no.
- O.3127
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, Somlo Antiques (O.3127)
- Catalogue title (original)
- Stainless steel OMEGA ref. 145.022 Speedmaster 'Apollo Soyuz' chronograph wristwatch. Made 1976 (English)
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Record summary
Catalogued by Somlo Antiques (dealer), London (stock number O.3127), this is a wristwatch by OMEGA, dated 1976. The Atlas places it in the Quartz Revolution period (1969 – 1990) of its Wristwatches collection. Materials and techniques recorded by the source: stainless steel. Recorded dimensions: Case 42 mm. The record is illustrated with 4 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 — Somlo Antiques
The OMEGA Speedmaster reference 145.022 is the last pre-moon model because it was designed before the first moon landing in July 1969. This is Omega's first numbered edition Speedmaster. The Apollo-Soyuz Speedmaster, was released in 1976 to commemorate the successful mission between Russian and American space programs in 1975. This particular Speedmaster model is unique in that it does not feature the "Speedmaster" label on the dial, instead featuring the Apollo-Soyuz mission logo. It is also notable for its 5.5mm large pushers on the case and a commemorative numbered case back. In addition, the Apollo-Soyuz Speedmaster comes with a special bracelet, the 1168 'Oyster style,' which is not typically seen on other Speedmaster models. Limited Edition of 500 pieces Brand: OMEGA Made: 1976 Model: Speedmaster Reference: 145.022 Calibre: 861 Movement: Manual Material: Stainless steel Features/complications: Chronograph and Tachymetre bezel Dial: Black matt dial with Apollo Soyuz logo with luminous painted baton indexes, outer minute/seconds divisions, outermost 1/5 second divisions featuring subsidiary seconds at 9 o’clock, 30 minute register at 3 o’clock and 12 hour register at 6 o’clock with luminous baton hands, and arrowhead centre chronograph seconds Case dimensions: 42mm Bracelet/strap: Stainless steel bracelet Accessories: Original box & Extract from the Archives SKU: 03127
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
Chronographs and split-seconds watches
A chronograph is a watch with an additional seconds hand that can be started, stopped and returned to zero independently of the timekeeping. Louis Moinet built an early example in 1816 and Nicolas Rieussec a recording 'chronographe' in 1821; Adolphe Nicole's heart-shaped reset cam (patented 1862) made the modern return-to-zero possible. Split-seconds (rattrapante) chronographs add a second hand that can be stopped for intermediate times; flyback chronographs restart instantly.
Chronographs were essential tools for doctors (pulsometer scales), artillery (telemeter), engineers and sport. In wristwatches, Valjoux, Venus, Lemania and later the automatic chronographs of 1969 (Zenith El Primero, the Chronomatic Calibre 11 group and Seiko 6139) are milestones.
What to look for
- Push-pieces on the case band or a single button in the crown (monopusher).
- Subsidiary registers for minutes and hours; tachymeter, telemeter or pulsometer scales.
- Column wheel versus cam control visible in the movement.
- Calibre markings of specialist makers (Valjoux, Lemania, Venus, Landeron).
Dating clues
- Pocket chronographs with heart cam reset: after 1862.
- Wrist chronographs: from c. 1910; two-button designs from the 1930s.
- Automatic chronographs: from 1969.
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.
Read next:Flyback chronographChronograph
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