Tag Archives: ST 145.012

Press Release: Sotheby’s Auction of Omega Speedmaster Watches Achieves $1.2 Million On the Eve of the 50th Anniversary of The Apollo 11 Moon Landing

Sotheby’s, NEW YORK, 19 July 2019 – In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the first Omega watch landing on the moon in July 1969, Sotheby’s dedicated auction of Omega Speedmasters totalled $1.2 million today, with a strong 87.8% of watches sold.

Nate Borgelt, Head of Sale for Sotheby’s Watch Department in New York, said: “It has been exciting to put together this sale of Omega Speedmasters, commemorating the watch that Buzz Aldrin wore on the moon exactly 50 years ago. Today’s results affirm the strength of the market for rare stainless-steel sports watches – from the Ref 2915-1 ‘Broad Arrow’, the first Speedmaster model ever created, to the Ref 145.012-67 ‘Ultraman’, named after its appearance in the Japanese television series, to the Alaska III Ref 145.022, made for NASA’s Space Shuttle program in 1978. We were particularly encouraged to see strong interest and participation this afternoon from first-time watch collectors.”

In 1965, NASA sought to find a watch properly provisioned for human spaceflight. Omega is the only brand whose watch passed all ten tests, rendering the Speedmaster model as the official watch of NASA. The iconic watch has been bestowed upon the wrists of astronauts ever since – including all six lunar landings – and has fittingly been dubbed the “Moonwatch”. All of the “Moonwatches” on offer had the additional distinction of being vetted by Omega themselves.

AUCTION HIGHLIGHTS

Omega Speedmaster
Ref 2915-1 ‘Broad Arrow’
A Stainless Steel Chronograph Wristwatch with Bracelet
Made in 1958
Estimate $150/200,000
Sold for $250,000

The sale was led by Omega Speedmaster 2915-1 ‘Broad Arrow’ – the first Speedmaster model ever created. Today’s most coveted iteration, the Speedmaster 2915-1’s manufacturing era lasted slightly more than a year between 1957 and 1958, making this scarce reference difficult to find in today’s market. The dial configuration, the tachometer scale engraved into the metal bezel, the renowned caliber 321, the lack of crown guards, the applied Omega logo, and the large “broad arrow” hour hands are all distinguishing traits that differentiate this Speedmaster from its successors.

Omega Prototype Speedmaster
Alaska III Ref 145.022
A Stainless Steel Chronograph Wristwatch
Made in 1978
Estimate $70/90,000
Sold for $187,500

The sale was highlighted further by an “Alaska III” Speedmaster, made for NASA’s Space Shuttle program in 1978. The project was made to incorporate an anti-reflective crystal and easily legible dial. The black dial is specific to this watch, featuring luminous tritium, and radial counters.

Omega Speedmaster
Ref 145.022-69 ‘Apollo XI’
A Yellow Gold Chronograph Wristwatch with Bracelet
Made in 1969
Estimate $35/50,000
Sold for $68,750

The special edition reference 145.022-69 ‘Apollo XI 1969’ was produced in a series limited to 1014 pieces, created to commemorate the successful moon landing. A selection of the 1014 pieces were given to personalities: Number 1 was presented to President Richard Nixon; number 2 was gifted to Vice President Spiro Agnew; and thirty-four pieces were given to astronauts, including Walter Schirra (no. 9), Ed White (no. 10), Neil Armstrong (no. 17) and Buzz Aldrin (no, 21). Furthermore, numbers 29 and 32 were presented to Swiss politicians as well as the managers of Omega and Lemania. The remaining pieces were sold to the public.

Omega Speedmaster
Ref 2915-3
A Stainless Steel Chronograph Wristwatch with Bracelet
Made in 1959
Estimate $40/60,000
Sold for $50,000

Previously preserved in Belgium by its first and only owner who received it as a birthday present and cherished it for 60 years, the Omega Speedmaster Ref 2915-3 features some variations from the essentially identical references 2915-1 and -2: the hour hand for the 2915-3 was longer and had a larger luminous surface in the shape of a triangle, unlike the 2998-1, which had a small straight line of luminous material. On the case back, the Speedmaster text relocated from the edge of the screw down back closer to the hippocampus, and the black aluminum bezel was seen more often alongside the Alpha hands as opposed to the Broad Arrow hands on the -1 and -2.

Complete list of results via this link.

Must read: The Orange Hand Speedmaster Professional (+Buzz Aldrin)

Omega Speedmaster Professional 145.012 Orange Hand

Omega Speedmaster Professional 145.012 Orange Hand

The devil is in the details.

Our friend Boris of WatchesAndArt.com posted an interesting read and a few pictures of the Speedmaster Professional fitted with an orange seconds counter. Rare as hence teeth, but not undocumented, the orange hands provides an interesting change to the classic look. Read Boris entry for more information.

Wristshot – Omega Speedmaster Professional 145.012 NATO

Omega Speedmaster Professional 145.012

Omega Speedmaster Professional 145.012

Continuing our recent NATO streak: our friend A. sent us a few sunny pics of his stunning Omega Speedmaster Professional 145.012 on NATO strap. A killer watch with a great strap.

A quote from our [work-in-progress] Handwound Chronicles:

The reference 145.012, introduced in 1966, would prove to be the last Omega Speedmaster to be fitted with the column wheel caliber 321. While this might sound a bit dramatic, it was in fact the continuation of the 105.012 under a new reference number, and as such it used the same case and dial as the old reference.

Omega Speedmaster Professional 145.012

Omega Speedmaster Professional 145.012

Thanks for sharing A – much appreciated!

Interested in its modern brother? Buy your 3570.50.00 at an Authorized Dealer!

Omega Speedmaster Professional ST-145.012 1967

Omega Speedmaster Professional 145.012

Omega Speedmaster Professional 145.012

As promised earlier, a full-frontal shot of the Omega Speedmaster Professional 145.012.

Reference 145.012 was introduced around 1966 as the successor to the 105.012 which was introduced in 1963. It was the last Speedmaster to be powered by the column-wheel Caliber 321. It was replaced by the 861-powered 145.022 around 1968.

The example above was produced in 1967 – a good 46 years ago. Its age reflects in the patina of the dial and hands, weathered bezel and somewhat softened edges. The movement however is in tip-top condition. A well-worn and well-loved example that is treasured and enjoyed by it’s current owner.

Interested in its modern counterpart? Buy at an Authorized Dealer!

Wristshot: 1967 Omega Speedmaster Professional 145.012

Omega Speedmaster Professional 145.012

Omega Speedmaster Professional 145.012

With its beautiful applied logo and caliber 321 but ‘modern’ crown guard & twisted lug case, the Omega Speedmaster Professional 145.012 represents the Speedmaster’s transition from the vintage straight-lug 321’s to the modern (1)861’s to the fullest extent.

We’ll be posting a full frontal of this well-worn and well-loved Speedy soon.. For now – the wristshots!

Omega Speedmaster Professional 145.012

Omega Speedmaster Professional 145.012