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omega_speedmaster [01.12.2022 19:13] (current) gerdlothar
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 +====== Omega Speedmaster ======
 +{{wst>image_cr|Omega|Moon Watch|Omega Speedmaster Professional "Moon Watch"}}
 +
 +The **Speedmaster** is a famous sports [[chronograph]] series by [[Omega]].
 +
 +===== History =====
 +The 39 mm [[Omega 321|Calibre 321]] "Speedmaster" sports chronograph (Ref. CK 2915) was introduced in [[1957]], with sales and marketing started the following year. It was billed as a "new type of chronograph, with a tachometer[sic] and production meter, designed for research, industry, and sport." The Speedmaster (Ref. CK 2998) grew to 40 mm in [[1959]], with the arrow-shaped hands replaced by dauphine hands. The model was revised in [[1962]] with new reference number (ST 105.002), bezel metrics, including tachymeter, pulsometer, telemeter, telemile and decimal. Beginning in [[1963]] (Ref. ST 105.012), the case was enlarged to 42 mm, with an asymmetrical design to protect the pushers and crown and twisted lugs. After this reference was used in space, a new [[Omega Speedmaster Professional|Speedmaster "Professional"]] (Ref. 145.012) was introduced in [[1966]].
 +
 +The Speedmaster was changed dramatically in [[1968]] (Ref. 145.022) with the addition of a new movement, the Omega/[[Lemania]] [[Omega 861|Calibre 861]]. An entirely new [[Omega Speedmaster Professional Mark II|"Mark II" Speedmaster]] was launched in [[1969]], but the classic remained in production. The first [[Omega Speedmaster Automatic|automatic Speedmaster]] appeared in [[1971]], the [[Omega Speedmaster Mark III|Mark III]], which broadened the case design options further. A diver's chronograph was added for [[1972]], and a [[chronometer]] followed in [[1973]]. Another new case style and a new automatic movement came in late [[1973]] with the [[Omega Speedmaster Professional Mark IV|Mark IV]].
 +
 +Electronic movements joined the Speedmaster ranks in [[1973]] with the introduction of the [[tuning fork]] electric [[Omega Chronometer Speedsonic F 300 HZ]]. The first [[quartz]] Speedmaster came in [[1977]], the [[Omega Speedmaster Quartz]], complete with a digital display.
 +
 +As mechanical watches regained popularity in the late 1980's, Omega began reinvigorating the Speedmaster family with transparent case backs and a more-decorated movement. Next up was the German-market [[Omega Speedmaster Mark V|Mark V]] in [[1984]], followed by the [[Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonphase|Speedmaster Professional Moonphase]] in [[1985]] and [[Omega Speedmaster Automatic|"Holy Grail" Speedmaster 376.0822]] in [[1987]]. The [[1988]] introduction of the smaller [[Omega Speedmaster Reduced|Speedmaster Reduced]] opened new markets, with a modular automatic chronograph but classic good looks. The [[1990]] non-chronograph [[Omega Speedmaster Classic|Speedmaster Classic]] series was a mistake, but a [[perpetual calendar]] pointed to better times in the [[1991]] [[Omega Speedmaster Perpetual]].
 +
 +In the late 1990's, nearly all Speedmaster calibres were refreshed with better decoration and finer construction. This began in [[1996]] with [[Omega 1861|Cal. 1861/1863/1866]] and [[Omega 1141|Cal. 1141/1151/1152]] and lasted through the introduction of [[Omega 3220|Cal. 3220]] in [[2000]]. Another important introduction in that timeframe was the [[Omega Speedmaster X-33|Speedmaster X-33]], a multi-function digital/analog model.
 +
 +In [[2011]], Omega released the first Speedmaster with an in-house movement, [[Omega 9300|Cal. 9300]].
 +
 +The "Speedmaster" series is now a major pillar of the Omega brand. Various special editions are regularly issued.
 +
 +===== Moonwatch =====
 +  *Main article [[Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch]]
 +
 +In [[1965]], NASA selected the Speedmaster as their official astronaut watch, and the company began selling a [[Omega Speedmaster Professional|Speedmaster Professional]] model inspired by this in the following year. Astronauts Virgil ‘Gus' Grissom and John Young wore Omega Speedmasters on the first Gemini manned mission later that year, and Ed White completed a space walk with a Speedmaster on his wrist that year as well. On July 21, [[1969]], Buzz Aldrin wore a Speedmaster Professional on the moon, making this the first and only wristwatch worn on another celestial body. The Speedmaster was also instrumental in the failed Apollo 13 mission, with Jack Swigert using his chronograph to time course-correction engine burns.
 +
 +Many subsequent Omega Speedmaster models have been produced which resemble this original "Moonwatch". Enthusiasts tend to differentiate between Speedmaster models based on the level of resemblance to [[Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch|that original Speedmaster]].
 +
 +===== Mark Series =====
 +In [[1969]], Omega introduced the [[Omega Speedmaster Professional Mark II]], indicating that this was a successor to the original Speedmaster Professional. This model used a decidedly different [[tonneau]] case. A [[Omega Speedmaster Mark III|Mark III]] line appeared in [[1971]] with three different cases reminiscent of the [[Omega Flightmaster|Flightmaster]] and [[Omega Seamaster|Seamaster]] and the new 2-register [[Omega 1040|Cal. 1040]] central-rotor automatic movement. The Mark III was not originally marked "Professional", but it gained this name after [[1973]]. The [[Omega Speedmaster Professional Mark IV|Speedmaster Professional Mark IV]] appeared in [[1973]] with a new case style and Cal. 1040. This case was shared with a 3-register non-Professional automatic Speedmaster using the new [[Omega 1045|Cal. 1045]]. In [[1984]], Omega introduced another non-Professional [[Omega Speedmaster Mark V|Speedmaster Mark V]] with another new case and the 3-register Cal. 1045.
 +
 +===== Speedmaster Automatic and Reduced =====
 +  *Main articles [[Omega Speedmaster Automatic]] and [[Omega Speedmaster Reduced]]
 +
 +It was not until the [[1971]] introduction of the [[Omega Speedmaster Mark III|Speedmaster Mark III]] that Omega released an [[automatic]] Speedmaster watch. These continued intermittently over the next decade, with the mantle taken up by the [[Omega Speedmaster Reduced|Speedmaster Reduced]] series in [[1988]]. In the following decades, a number of automatic Speedmaster watches, both reduced and regular-sized, have been issued.
 +
 +{{wst>image_cr|Omega|Speedmaster 5-Counter Chronograph Gold}}
 +
 +===== Example Models =====
 +  * [[Omega Speedmaster Professional]] The legendary "Moon Watch" with [[manual winding]]
 +  * [[Omega Speedmaster 50th Anniversary]] Jubilee model from [[2007]]
 +  * [[Omega Speedmaster Broad Arrow]] With arrow-shaped hour hand
 +  * [[Omega Speedmaster Broad Arrow Rattrapante]] With [[double chronograph]] [[complication]]
 +  * [[Omega Speedmaster "Legend"]] To honor Michael Schumacher
 +  * [[Omega Speedmaster 5-Counter Chronograph]] - With 5 [[totaliser]]s in the shape of the Olympic rings
 +  * [[Omega Speedmaster GMT "Solar Impulse"]]
 +
 +===== Omega Speedmaster Timeline =====
 +
 +^Calibre   ^1950s^^^1960s^^^^^^^^^^1970s ^^^^^^^^^^
 +^          ^7 ^8 ^9  ^0 ^1 ^2 ^3 ^4 ^5 ^6 ^7 ^8 ^9 ^0 ^1 ^2 ^3 ^4 ^5 ^6 ^7 ^8 ^9 ^
 +^1045      | ||| |||||||||| ||^Speedmaster\\ Automatic\\ Day-Date ||||| ||
 +^1041      | ||| |||||||||| ||^125| ||||||
 +^1040      | ||| |||||||||| ^Mk.III|| ^Mk.IV|| ||||
 +^c.861/1861| ||| |||||||||^Mk.II|| ||||||||
 +^ :::      | ||| |||||||||^145.022||||||||||
 +^c.321^CK2915 || ^CK2998 ||| ^105.003 || ^145.012|| | ||||||||||
 +
 +===== Literature =====
 +  * Omega-Uhren. Kaleidoskop einer bekannten Swiss Marke; Author Anton Kreuzer; ISBN 3853783546
 +  * Omega-Modelle; Author Anton Kreuzer; ISBN 3853784186
 +  * [[Das ZEITGEFÜHL-Uhrenbuch]]; Author [[Gerd-Lothar Reschke]]; ISBN 3-938607-61-0
 +  * [[http://wornandwound.com/2014/02/03/omega-speedmaster-first-15-years/Omega|Speedmaster: The First 15 Years]]
 +
 +
 +{{tag>Watch_models Chronographs Watch_classics Omega_models Omega_Speedmaster}}
  

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