60 years on, OMEGA’s space watch remains unrivalled
OMEGA, from the Moon to eternity: a look back at the incredible story of the Speedmaster, the only watch to have survived the ordeal of space.
1965: OMEGA makes space history
On March 1, 1965, NASA declared OMEGA’s Speedmaster to be the first watch approved for all manned space missions. A decisive turning point which established the Swiss company as an official partner in the conquest of space. Since then, this legendary watch has accompanied every lunar landing, includingApollo 11, and to this day remains the only watch worn on the Moon.
Extreme tests for an extraordinary mission
To obtain this certification, the Speedmaster ST 105.003 had to survive 11 rigorous tests imposed by NASA: high and low temperatures; vacuum, corrosion, humidity; shocks of 40 G, acceleration up to 16 G; extreme pressures, vibrations, exposure to 130 decibels.
All other brands failed. Only OMEGA passed every test with flying colours, proving its extraordinary robustness.
The ultimate endorsement: from astronauts
But beyond the laboratories, it was necessary to convince those who were actually going into space. The astronauts unanimously chose the Speedmaster for its legibility, precision and reliability. Three weeks later, it made its official space debut on the Gemini 3 mission, on the wrist of Gus Grissom.
Unchanged design, intact heritage
Since 1965, the Speedmaster has evolved, but without ever betraying its original line. Whether it’s the Moonwatch model or the version with caliber 321, each reissue retains this functional aesthetic, designed from the outset to withstand anything, even the unknown.
An icon beyond time
In 2025, OMEGA celebrates 60 years of this legendary qualification, reminding us that certain objects, born for performance, become legends without ever ceasing to be useful.
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