18ct yellow gold OMEGA Speedmaster Apollo XI Professional chronograph wristwatch. Made 1969

Information

• Brand: OMEGA 
• Made: 1969
• Model: Speedmaster
• Reference: 145.022
• Calibre: 861
• Movement: Manual
• Material: 18ct yellow gold
• Features/complications: Chronograph
• Dial: 18ct yellow gold dial with 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: Integrated yellow gold bracelet
• Accessories: Extract from the Archives
• SKU: 03160

Essay

The Speedmaster BA 145.022 represented a number of firsts for the Speedmaster. It was the first limited edition Speedmaster with only 1014 made. It was also the first Speedmaster to be made in precious metal, featuring a solid gold case, bracelet and dial. 

The 1014 watches were individually numbered and many were engraved with a dedication with the first 2 pieces going to President Nixon and Vice President Agnew (who both declined) 3-28 went to NASA astronauts, 29-32 went to notable associated friends and colleagues of OMEGA and the space program. 33-1000 were offered to the public and featured a similar straight case engraving to the steel version. 1001-1008 were awarded to later astronauts and the fates of 1009-1014 are currently unknown.