There are 2 generations of Racing Speedmasters, (the models of 1st generation, with black dials, are fitted with the 321 caliber, and the 2nd generation watches, with grey dials, are equipped with the 861) for a total of 3 versions. All of them are characterized by a dial with a special minutes scale, bi-color indexes on two levels and a specific hands color configuration for the chronograph functions. These features enhance the legibility of the chronograph, which is helpful in racing competition situations, hence its nickname Racing.
The 1st generation has been produced in 1967-1968. The dial minute scale is white and the indexes are half red and half white. The chronograph hands are white, whereas the hands for the time of day are red. However, there are two different versions:
#26.545.xxx is an extremely rare Pre-Professional version (less than 10 pieces have been observed so far), produced in October 1968 and delivered to Switzerland.
The watch is provided with its extract of archives from Omega.
Please note that this watch has been observed with another DON bezel in the past, which was a little bit damaged. The previous owner has chosen to fit a nicer DON bezel. We think that it doesn’t impact in any way the value of such a rare model, but we have chosen to mention it to ensure transparency.
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There are 2 generations of Racing Speedmasters, (the models of 1st generation, with black dials, are fitted with the 321 caliber, and the 2nd generation watches, with grey dials, are equipped with the 861) for a total of 3 versions. All of them are characterized by a dial with a special minutes scale, bi-color indexes on two levels and a specific hands color configuration for the chronograph functions. These features enhance the legibility of the chronograph, which is helpful in racing competition situations, hence its nickname Racing.
The 1st generation has been produced in 1967-1968. The dial minute scale is white and the indexes are half red and half white. The chronograph hands are white, whereas the hands for the time of day are red. However, there are two different versions:
#26.545.xxx is an extremely rare Pre-Professional version (less than 10 pieces have been observed so far), produced in October 1968 and delivered to Switzerland.
The watch is provided with its extract of archives from Omega.
Please note that this watch has been observed with another DON bezel in the past, which was a little bit damaged. The previous owner has chosen to fit a nicer DON bezel. We think that it doesn’t impact in any way the value of such a rare model, but we have chosen to mention it to ensure transparency.
The Omega Speedmaster, born in 1957, is one of the most iconic wristwatches ever produced. Since 1965, it has been the choice of space programs for over half a century and has been associated with some of mankind’s greatest space adventures, earning it the name The Moonwatch.
Naturally, beyond its professional use for more than sixty years, the Speedmaster, with its incredible history and its timeless design, has appealed to a much wider public throughout the world.
The reference ST 145.012 is of major historical importance as it one the few Speedmaster references worn by astronauts on the Moon, notably by Alan Shepard on Apollo 14. In addition, it accompanied the astronauts during Apollo-Soyuz. It also flew 25 revolutions around the Moon with Michael Collins aboard the Apollo 11 command module.
In 1848, Louis Brandt founded a company in La Chaux-de-Fonds which would become Omega. In the 1880s, the Louis Brandt & Fils company moved to its current site in Bienne and in 1894 the caliber Omega was created, which would give its name to the company. Renowned for its precise, innovative and affordable watches, it became the largest supplier of watches to the British Army during World War II. It also became the first company to time the Olympic Games in 1932. Among its range of numerous professional watches, the Speedmaster became the first watch worn on the moon in 1969.
The purpose of this document is to determine whether the constituent parts of the watch are conform to the model reference /period or not, and to value their condition and importance.
All the watches are provided with a digital certificate (the Watchfid-ID), that will be uploaded on your protected and anonymous digital wallet.
This document presents each watch in the most objective and detailed manner possible, thanks to a substantiated analysis, high-resolution photos designed to highlight all elements of the watch and an innovative rating system. Available in printed and digital versions.
On request and when available, an extract of the archives from the manufacturer can be obtained.
