Omega - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XVI Hong Kong Wednesday, May 24, 2023 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Omega
    Year: 1976
    Reference No: ST 145.022
    Movement No: 39'181'247
    Case No: 397
    Model Name: Speedmaster Apollo-Soyuz
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 861, 17 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Omega bracelet, endlinks stamped “633”, max length 195mm
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Omega deployant clasp stamped “1171/1”
    Dimensions: 40mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed
    Accessories: Accompanied with Omega hang tag. Delivered with Omega Extract from the Archives confirming the production of the present timepiece on 4th May 1976 and its delivery to Italy.
    Literature: A similar example is illustrated in the book Moonwatch Only, 60 years of Omega Speedmaster, by Grégoire Rossier & Anthony Marquie, pp. 360-364.

  • Catalogue Essay

    On the 15th of July 1975, the historical Apollo-Soyuz Test Project (ASTP) marked the first crewed international space mission cooperatively carried out by the United States and Soviet Union. Two days later, on July 17th, the mission resulted in a successful docking of the American Apollo with a Soviet Union Soyuz capsule. Not only was this considered to be an important and memorable moment for space reconnaissance but also considered internationally as marking the end of the "Space Race" commenced in 1957 with the Sputnik 1.

    The success of the first international crewed mission was commemorated a year later by Omega, who issued a limited edition of 500 special Speedmasters based on the classic Speedmaster Professional 145.022 model with caliber 861 movement, such as the present watch. The dial of this limited edition series bears the mission emblem at 12 o'clock without the Speedmaster Professional inscriptions, and long hour markers. The case of the Apollo-Soyuz is also slightly different from the standard version as the chronograph pushers have a slightly larger diameter of 5.5mm rather than the usual 5mm. Consequently the case band had also to be adjusted. The exclusive Apollo-Soyuz watches were all made for the Italian market, as evidenced by flanked circled "I" on its caseback. The limited series of Speedmaster utilizes a cal.861 and have serial numbers ranging between 39.180.xxx and 39.181.xxx.

    Instantly recognizable among collectors, the Apollo-Soyuz Speedmaster is the second limited edition ever released by Omega. Preserved in great overall condition and further confirmed the production of the present timepiece on 4th of May 1976 by the Omega Extract from the Archives, this is a remarkable opportunity for the collector of historical important and rare vintage pieces.

  • Artist Biography

    Omega

    Swiss • 1848

    Omega's rich history begins with its founder, Louis Brandt, who established the firm in 1848 in La Chaux de Fonds. In 1903, the company changed its name to Omega, becoming the only watch brand in history to have been named after one its own movements. A full-fledged manufacturer of highly accurate, affordable and reliable watches, its sterling reputation enabled them to be chosen as the first watch company to time the Olympic Games beginning in 1932. Its continued focus on precision and reliability ultimately led their Speedmaster chronograph wristwatch to be chosen by NASA in 1965 — the first watch worn on the moon.

    Key models sought-after by collectors include their first, oversized water-resistant chronograph — the reference 2077, early Speedmaster models such as the CK 2915 and 2998, military-issued versions of the Seamaster and oversized chronometer models such as those fitted with their prestigious caliber 30T2Rg.

    View More Works

902

Ref. ST 145.022
A highly rare and attractive limited edition stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with bracelet, made in a limited edition of 500 pieces to commemorate the first joint crewed international space mission and released for the Italian market

1976
40mm diameter
Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed

Estimate
HK$200,000 - 360,000 
€23,300-42,000
$25,600-46,200

Sold for HK$279,400

Contact Specialist

Thomas Perazzi
Head of Watches, Asia
+852 2318 2001
WatchesHK@phillips.com

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XVI

Hong Kong Auction 24 - 25 May 2023