Pre-Owned
Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Watches

The Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch boasts an incredible history that appeals not only to watch aficionados but avid space enthusiasts.

The Moonwatch evolved from the original Speedmaster of 1957, which was introduced as a racing chronograph during the dawn of the motorsports boom. Its significant journey into space began in 1962 when astronaut Walter Schirra wore one on the Sigma 7 mission. However, it wasn’t until 1965 that NASA chose the Speedmaster Moonwatch as the official watch for its astronauts.

To achieve this honour, the watch first underwent a barrage of tests alongside chronographs by several other leading brands, including Rolex. Only the Speedmaster successfully passed these tests, marking the beginning of its extraordinary space adventure.

Its official maiden voyage was aboard the Gemini spaceship on March 23rd, 1965, before astronaut Ed White wore his Speedmaster three months later when he became the first American to walk in space.

However, its involvement in space exploration truly peaked on July 20, 1969, during the historic Apollo 11 mission. Buzz Aldrin, the second man to step foot on the moon, was wearing his Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch, forever engraving it in the annals of human achievement. The first man on the moon, Neil Armstrong, had removed his own Speedmaster from his wrist, leaving it on the landing module as back-up.

Subsequent years saw the Moonwatch playing vital roles in space missions. In 1970, it was instrumental in ensuring the safe return of three Apollo 13 astronauts when their mission was threatened by an oxygen tank explosion. The robustness and reliability of the Moonwatch proved critical in this high-risk situation.

With its captivating history, association with space exploration and commitment to excellence, the Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch continues to enthral watch lovers. Whether you're a collector, an adventurer, or a horology enthusiast, it stands as a symbol of human ingenuity and the relentless pursuit of greatness.

Although there have been many special editions and anniversary models over the years, the quintessential Moonwatch has a number of common features that differentiate it from most other Speedmaster models.

For example, a true NASA-approved Moonwatch features a crystal made from hesalite, a resilient type of plastic, rather than a sapphire crystal. This is because a sapphire crystal can shatter under extreme low pressure, the splinters posing a danger to astronauts and their equipment. They are also equipped with manual-wind movements, such as the Caliber 321 or the Caliber 861.

The Caliber 3861, found on newer versions, features a co-axial escapement and is a Master Chronometer, meaning better precision. After the moon landings, Omega began putting “Professional” on all its dials except for some special-edition models that commemorate pre-1965 events, such as the ‘First Omega in Space’ anniversary Speedmaster.

While some Moonwatch models have been modernised with a sapphire caseback, revealing the movement inside, these versions are not approved by NASA for the reason stated above. Only watches with a solid metal caseback are approved for space missions.

The earliest models featured a stainless-steel case of a little under 40mm, but modern versions are 42mm, lending it a substantial wrist presence. The black dial, adorned with luminescent hour markers and hands, ensures excellent legibility even in dim lighting. The aluminium tachymeter bezel enables accurate speed measurements—useful for motorsports, aviation or, of course, space flight.

At Watchfinder, our collection of pre-owned Omega Speedmaster Moonwatches is carefully selected, ensuring each model meets our stringent standards. Find your ideal Moonwatch today and own an iconic piece of horological history.