Omega Speedmaster Professional ‘Moonwatch’ 145.0022 - ‘20th anniversary of Apollo XI’ Limited Edition

Originally introduced in 1957, the Omega Speedmaster was designed as a high-precision chronograph tailored for motorsport timing. It was the first watch to feature a tachymeter scale on the bezel rather than on the dial—a design innovation that has since become a standard in chronograph watchmaking. The Speedmaster earned legendary status in 1969 as the first watch worn on the Moon during Apollo 11, gaining its iconic nickname, the “Moonwatch,” and cementing its place as Omega’s most celebrated model. A year earlier, Omega introduced a new Speedmaster reference, the 145.022, which retained key design traits from its predecessor, the 105.012—most notably the signature twisted lugs. The most visible design change on the 145.022 was the shift from an applied metal Omega logo to a printed version on the dial. More significantly, it introduced a new movement: the Caliber 861, based on the Lemania 1873. With a higher beat rate than its predecessor, the 861 offered improved accuracy and durability. As the successor to the original Moonwatch, the 145.022 continued to accompany astronauts and remained in production until 1983, when Omega updated the reference number by adding an extra zero to align with its evolving reference system—thus, the 145.022 became 145.0022. This particular example was produced in 1989 to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Apollo XI and is one of 4,000 unnumbered models exclusively engraved “Apollo XI 1969” on the 9 o’clock case side. It features the desirable stainless steel 1450 bracelet and the correct 'Long S and R' dial, named for the elongated characters in the Speedmaster script—an appealing detail among collectors. The tritium lume on the dial and hands has aged to a warm beige, lending the watch a rich vintage character. Remarkably well-preserved, it is offered with its complete and special full set, exclusive to this limited edition.