July 20, 1969: 20:17 UTC
When Buzz Aldrin stepped onto the lunar surface at Tranquility Base — 19 minutes after Neil Armstrong — he was wearing an Omega Speedmaster Professional (Ref. 105.012) on the outside of his spacesuit, strapped over the left wrist of his extravehicular activity glove. It was, officially, the first watch worn on the Moon. (Armstrong’s Speedmaster remained inside the Lunar Module as a backup timing instrument after the onboard clock malfunctioned.)
That moment made the Speedmaster the most famous chronograph in history. But the story of how it got there is almost as remarkable as the moonwalk itself.
The NASA Selection Process (1962-1965)
NASA didn’t choose the Speedmaster because Omega had a marketing deal or a lobbyist. They chose it because it was the only watch that survived their tests.
In 1962, astronaut Wally Schirra wore his personal Speedmaster CK2998 during the Mercury-Atlas 8 mission — the first Omega in space. Impressed, NASA’s Equipment Division began a formal procurement process in 1964 to select an official flight-qualified chronograph.
They purchased chronographs from Rolex (Daytona), Longines (Wittnauer), Hamilton, and Omega (Speedmaster) off the shelf — no special modifications, no advance notice to the brands. Each watch was subjected to eleven brutal tests designed by NASA engineer James Ragan:
- High temperature: 71°C (160°F) for 48 hours
- Low temperature: -18°C (0°F) for 4 hours
- Temperature cycling: Alternating between 71°C and -18°C, 15 cycles
- Humidity: 95% relative humidity at 71°C
- Oxygen atmosphere: Pure O₂ at 0.35 atm (simulating spacecraft cabin)
- Shock: 40G impacts in 6 directions, 11 millisecond duration
- Acceleration: 7.25G for 333 seconds (simulating launch)
- Decompression: Vacuum at 10⁻⁶ atm for 90 minutes at 71°C then 93°C
- High pressure: 1.6 atm for 1 hour
- Vibration: 5-2000 Hz at various amplitudes for 30 minutes per axis
- Acoustic noise: 130 dB for 30 minutes
The Rolex Daytona failed the humidity test — its crystal popped off. The Longines failed acceleration testing — its hands bent. The Hamilton’s case cracked during decompression. Only the Omega Speedmaster survived every test, passing NASA qualification as “Flight Qualified for all Manned Space Missions” on March 1, 1965.
The Speedmaster References That Went to Space
CK2998 (1959-1963)
The “pre-Moon” Speedmaster. Alpha hands, straight lugs, Caliber 321 movement. Wally Schirra wore one on Mercury-Atlas 8 (October 3, 1962) — the first Omega in space. Vintage CK2998s now sell for $80,000-$150,000.
ST 105.003 (1963-1964)
Transitional reference with baton hands replacing the alpha hands. Still Caliber 321. This is the exact reference NASA purchased for their 1964 evaluation tests. Extremely rare.
ST 105.012 (1964-1968)
The “Apollo” reference. This is the Speedmaster that Buzz Aldrin wore on the Moon. Updated with a 42mm asymmetric case (crown guards), applied Omega logo, and the legendary Caliber 321 — a hand-wound column-wheel chronograph designed by Albert Piguet in 1946 that many consider the finest chronograph movement ever made.
ST 145.012 (1968-1970)
The first Speedmaster with the Caliber 861 — a cam-switched chronograph replacing the column-wheel 321. Less expensive to produce, arguably less beautiful to a purist, but equally reliable. This reference flew on Apollo missions 12 through 14.
The Modern Moonwatch: Ref. 310.30.42.50.01.001
In 2021, Omega released the most significant Moonwatch update in decades. Key changes:
- Movement: Caliber 3861 — the Master Chronometer version of the venerable hand-wound architecture. METAS-certified to resist 15,000 gauss magnetic fields.
- Crystal: Sapphire (replacing Hesalite acrylic on the sapphire variant) with anti-reflective coating on both sides. A Hesalite version (310.30.42.50.01.002) is still available for purists.
- Case: Subtly redesigned with a step dial, applied Omega logo, and dot-over-90 bezel detail (a callback to vintage references).
- Bracelet: Five-link design with polished center links and a new push-button clasp with micro-adjustment.
- Retail: $6,400 (Hesalite) / $7,100 (Sapphire sandwich)
At its price point, the Moonwatch offers more history, more METAS-certified accuracy, and more cultural significance than any competitor. It is, pound for pound, the best value proposition in luxury chronographs.
Beyond the Moon: The Speedmaster’s Other Space Moments
- Apollo 13 (1970): Jack Swigert used his Speedmaster to time the critical 14-second engine burn that corrected the spacecraft’s trajectory and saved three lives. Omega later released the “Silver Snoopy Award” Speedmaster to commemorate.
- Skylab (1973-74): Speedmasters were worn by all nine Skylab crewmembers during America’s first space station missions.
- Apollo-Soyuz (1975): The first international space mission — both American and Soviet crews wore Speedmasters and Strela chronographs respectively.
- Space Shuttle (1981-2011): The Speedmaster remained NASA’s official EVA chronograph throughout the entire shuttle program.
- ISS (Present): Speedmasters continue to be used aboard the International Space Station today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Buzz Aldrin’s actual Moonwatch still around?
No. Aldrin’s Speedmaster was lost sometime after the Apollo 11 mission — it was sent to the Smithsonian along with other mission artifacts but was apparently misplaced or stolen. Its current whereabouts are unknown, making it perhaps the most valuable lost watch in history.
Why does the Speedmaster still use a hand-wound movement?
Tradition and reliability. A hand-wound chronograph is simpler (fewer parts = fewer failure points), thinner (no rotor), and has a more direct connection between the wearer and the movement. The Caliber 3861 is also METAS-certified, making it one of the most accurate hand-wound movements in production.
Hesalite or sapphire crystal?
Hesalite (acrylic) is the historically correct choice — it’s what went to the Moon. It scratches easily but can be polished with Polywatch. Sapphire is harder and scratch-resistant but can shatter on impact (acrylic flexes). Most collectors choose Hesalite for the nostalgia; most daily wearers choose sapphire for practicality.
Do you carry Speedmaster superclones?
Yes — our Omega collection at DR.WATCH includes Speedmaster Moonwatch references with mechanical chronograph movements, tachymeter bezels, and period-correct design details. Free worldwide shipping and 1-year warranty on every piece.
What makes the Speedmaster better than the Rolex Daytona for collectors?
They serve different purposes. The Speedmaster is a historically significant tool watch with a hand-wound chronograph and a $6,400 retail price. The Daytona is a luxury automatic chronograph with a $15,000 retail price and 2-3x secondary market premium. The Speedmaster wins on history, value, and availability. The Daytona wins on exclusivity and brand cachet. Read our Rolex vs Omega comparison for more.