When most people think of iconic watches, the Omega Speedmaster Professional—better known as the Moonwatch—sits near the very top of the list. Not just because of its design or technical prowess, but because it was the first watch worn on the moon. But before it was strapped to an astronaut’s wrist and launched into orbit, the Speedmaster was something very different: a sports chronograph made for the racetrack.
Let’s take a journey through how the Speedmaster became one of the most historically significant watches ever made—and how it continues to define horological cool decades later.
From Speed to Space: The Origins of the Speedmaster
In 1957, Omega released the Speedmaster as part of its “Professional” line, alongside the Seamaster 300 and the Railmaster. Its primary audience? Motorsport enthusiasts. The reference CK2915 featured a tachymeter bezel (the first ever on a watch’s exterior), a bold black dial, and broad arrow hands. This was a tool watch through and through—rugged, legible, and built to time laps with precision.
At the time, no one—certainly not Omega—had space travel in mind.
But destiny had other plans.
NASA Comes Knocking: The Quest for the Perfect Space Watch
By the early 1960s, as the U.S. ramped up its space program, NASA began searching for a wristwatch that could withstand the brutal realities of space travel. They subjected various watches to a battery of grueling tests: extreme temperatures, shocks, vibrations, vacuum, humidity—you name it.
Among the brands submitted for testing (including Rolex and Longines), only the Omega Speedmaster passed. The reference 105.003 earned NASA’s official certification in 1965.
The decision was purely functional. Omega didn’t pay for endorsements, and astronauts weren’t given free watches. They wore them because they worked.
1969: One Small Step for Man, One Giant Leap for Omega
On July 20, 1969, Buzz Aldrin stepped onto the lunar surface during the Apollo 11 mission—with an Omega Speedmaster strapped to the outside of his spacesuit. Neil Armstrong’s Speedmaster was left inside the lunar module as a backup for the malfunctioning onboard clock, making Aldrin’s the first watch worn on the moon.
This cemented the Speedmaster’s nickname: the Moonwatch.
Since then, the Speedmaster has been a part of every NASA manned space mission. Its robustness wasn’t just theoretical—it literally helped save lives. During the infamous Apollo 13 mission in 1970, astronauts used their Speedmasters to time crucial engine burns that got them safely back to Earth.
Andy Warhol, Tom Hanks, and the Speedy Legacy
The Speedmaster wasn’t just for astronauts. Back on Earth, it found its way into pop culture and onto the wrists of some of the coolest personalities around.
• Tom Hanks, portraying astronaut Jim Lovell in Apollo 13, wore a Speedmaster in the film—and became a Speedy fan in real life.
• Racing legends like Mario Andretti and Walter Röhrl were known to wear them, nodding back to the watch’s original purpose.
• More recently, celebrities like Ryan Reynolds, Daniel Craig, and even George Clooney (a long-time Omega ambassador) have been spotted sporting Speedies.
Design that Endures: What Makes the Moonwatch Special?
The classic Speedmaster design hasn’t changed much over the decades—and that’s part of its charm.
• Hesalite crystal: A vintage-style acrylic crystal still used on the Moonwatch, just like in the ‘60s.
• Manual wind movement: No automatic rotor here. You wind it daily, like the astronauts did.
• 42mm case size: Bold, but wearable. Perfectly balanced on the wrist.
• Tachymeter bezel: A nod to its racing heritage.
• Three-register chronograph layout: Clean, legible, and functional.
Omega has updated the movement over time, with modern versions featuring the Co-Axial Caliber 3861—a Master Chronometer movement that’s anti-magnetic and METAS-certified—but the soul of the watch remains untouched.
Collectors’ Grail: From “Ed White” to Snoopy
Vintage Speedmasters are a collector’s dream. Some of the most sought-after references include:
• CK2915 (“Broad Arrow”): The original Speedy. Rare and pricey.
• 105.003: The “Ed White,” worn during America’s first spacewalk.
• 105.012 and 145.012: Moon-era references, worn during Apollo missions.
• Snoopy Editions: Celebrating NASA’s Silver Snoopy Award given to Omega after Apollo 13. These are wildly popular and skyrocketing in value.
Final Thoughts: A Watch That Tells More Than Time
The Speedmaster Professional isn’t just a watch. It’s a story—of ambition, risk, adventure, and survival. It’s a link to humanity’s greatest technological achievement, strapped to your wrist.
Whether you’re a seasoned collector or someone buying their first luxury timepiece, the Moonwatch is a timeless choice. It doesn’t scream for attention. It doesn’t follow trends. It simply endures—just like the pioneers who wore it.