On July 20th, 1969, mankind achieved the unthinkable with the landing of the Apollo 11 lunar module on the surface of the moon. Led by Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, the Apollo 11 team became the first to step on the moon, and with them the Omega Speedmaster Professional became “the first watch worn on the moon”.

The Omega speedmaster reference 145.022 in yellow gold was released following this historical event as a commemoration of this accomplishment. Omega produced 1014 examples with the first and second examples offered to the President and Vice-President of the United States, whom however declined them due to compliance reasons. The group up to watch number 32 were offered to mission astronauts and they were engraved “To mark man’s conquest of space with time, through time, on time”. The remaining watches were sold to the general public and like the present example number 495, featured an engraved back reading “Omega Speedmaster-Apollo XI 1969-The First Watch Worn on the Moon”.

Visually striking with gold dial, onyx numerals and burgundy bezel, the Omega reference 145.022 sits extremely comfortably on the wrist, as one would expect from a Speedmaster. The yellow gold case and bracelet further gives the timepiece a pleasant heftiness. Omega reissued a 50th anniversary 18K moonshine gold limited edition with sapphire caseback in 2019 as a tribute to the Moonwatch legacy, indicating how important the brand itself deems this model to be for its heritage.

Preserved in excellent overall condition, the present timepiece features the period correct and sought-after D090 "Dot over 90" bezel that has faded to a deeper burgundy color further enhancing desirability and collectability.