On the anniversary of the first Omega in space, Omega brings out a faithful recreation of the watch that made history on the Sigma 7 mission of the Mercury program – all the way back on October 3rd, 1962.
The Omega Speedmaster is perhaps the most iconic watch when it comes to the association of watches and space. Having featured prominently in NASA missions throughout the ’60s, the Omega Speedmaster made a name for itself, most notably for being on the Apollo missions, earning its nickname, the “Moonwarth”. And there is perhaps no other watch that has etched out its place in history with an association so strong, and featured as prominently in history as the Speedmaster – who can forget it timing the rocket burn in the failed Apollo 13 mission?
But before the Apollo missions, NASA was embroiled in the space race during the start of the Cold War with the Soviet Union, and from the late 1950s, the US was focused on getting its men into space first. This is where the Mercury Program was born. The US didn’t win this race however – Soviet Cosmonaut, Yuri Gagarin pipped them at the post on getting the first man into space in 1961, a mere 4 weeks before the United States sent Alan Shepard into orbit on May 5, 1961. While the US lost that particular race, it didn’t stop them from focusing on getting more men into space as these missions were a prelude to the Apollo missions to come later. Spoiler alert, they ended up on the Moon!
As part of the Mercury Program, Astronaut Wally Shirra flew aboard Sigma 7 on Mercury-Atlas 8 on October 3, 1962 as part of a mission to evaluate environmental controls and life support systems in space. On his wrist? An Omega Speedmaster. Originally identified by its reference number, CK 2998, and later nicknamed ‘First Omega In Space” (FOIS). This was the second generation of the Speedmaster, which was brought out in 1959 and differed from its 1957 predecessor through the introduction of slender Alpha hands, a symmetrical case, and a dark bezel.
With this release, Omega pays tribute to the CK 2998 with the introduction of the new 2024 vintage-inspired Speedmaster First Omega In Space and Omega has re-created this as closely as possible, albeit with some modern upgrades and improvements.
The brushed steel case has been sized to 39.7mm, like the second generation CK 2998, and has been done in the vintage style, including a black aluminium bezel with Tachymeter scale and the now sought after and famous “Dot over 90”. While the original featured a domed hesalite cover over the dial, this update now has a sapphire crystal done in the vintage domed hesalite style.
The dial is CVD-coated in a grey-blue colour, which replicates the tone of some CK 2998 watches produced in the 1960s, and complete with inset chronograph sub-dials. On the dial, Omega has given this piece a vintage Omega logo, (which can also be found on the crown), and the hour markers and hands are filled with vintage Super-LumiNova that really brings out the old-school styling of the piece.
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Inside the Omega Speedmaster FOIS is the Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 3861 found now in most Speedmaster Moonwatches. This calibre has its heritage rooted in the iconic calibre 321, and comprises Omega innovations, such as a Co-Axial escapement and being Master Chronometer certified through METAS. It beats at 3Hz / 21,600 VpH and has a reasonable 50-hour power reserve. On the back, you won’t find a display caseback, but rather a closed caseback with the Hippocampus and inscriptions: “First Omega In Space” and “October 3, 1962” symbolising its historic importance.
Omega is giving people the choice of having the new Speedmaster FOIS on either the steel flatlink bracelet with Omega’s patented comfort release adjustment system, or either a black or brown calfskin leather strap with pin buckle. And it wouldn’t be a special release from Omega without the watch being presented in a special presentation box, which you can see in our unboxing video Champs did below.
Initial Thoughts
Vintage revival pieces are becoming commonplace these days. Almost every brand is bringing a vintage revival piece out, but few have the credentials or authenticity that Omage has with its Speedmaster in terms of being front and centre of history. Love it or hate it, you can’t deny the impact this watch has had on modern watch culture. In the case of this specific revival piece, the 2024 Omega Speedmaster FOIS is a great tribute to the watch Wally Schirra wore on his mission on October 3rd, 1962.
Everything about the design screams vintage, and when you look at each of these pieces separated by 62 years of time side by side, you can see Omega has gone the extra mile to make this release as close to the original as possible. And that is a great thing as I personally feel vintage revivals should be just that – a revival as close to the original, with the obvious modern improvements through the materials and movement technology.
For those who love vintage style, this will be right up your alley, and for those who appreciate horological history, then this will most probably tick a lot of boxes. If you don’t fall into either of these categories, what’s old is new again, and this new Speedmaster will look good on your wrist now and in 50 years, just like it did on the wrist of Wally Schirra 62 years ago.
References:
- 310.30.40.50.06.001 (Steel on steel)
- 310.32.40.50.06.001 (Steel on black leather)
- 310.30.40.50.06.002 (Steel on brown leather)
Specifications
- Case dimensions: 39.7mm, 48mm lug-to-lug and 13.4mm thick
- Case material: Steel case, brushed and polished
- Dial: Blue-grey CVD-coated dial
- Bezel: Black aluminium, with a tachymeter scale
- Crystal: Hesalite‑like form, scratch‑resistant sapphire crystal with anti‑reflective treatment inside
- Water resistance: 50 meters/ 5ATM
- Movement: Omega 3861, manual-winding chronograph movement, beating at 3Hz and Master Chronometer certified by METAS
- Power reserve: 50 hours
- Bracelet/Strap: Steel bracelet with brushed and polished links with a pushbutton folding clasp with comfort extension, or choice of black or brown calf leather strap with buckle
