Vintage 1969 Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch

 

1969 Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Ref. 145.022-69 ST

The Omega Speedmaster Professional ref. 145.022-69 ST, introduced in 1969, is one of the most important references in Speedmaster history because it was the first Moonwatch powered by the Caliber 861 movement. This marked a significant evolution from the legendary Caliber 321, which had powered the Speedmasters worn during NASA's Gemini missions and the Apollo 11 Moon landing. Designed by renowned watchmaker Albert Piguet, the Caliber 861 featured a cam-operated chronograph system that was more efficient to manufacture and easier to service while maintaining excellent reliability and performance.

The 145.022-69 ST retained the classic 42 mm asymmetrical stainless-steel case, black stepped dial, and tachymeter bezel that had become hallmarks of the Speedmaster Professional. Early examples from 1969 are especially prized by collectors because they represent the transition from the Caliber 321 era to the Caliber 861 era. Some watches from this reference were produced around the time of the Apollo 11 mission and featured the famous "pre-Moon" caseback, while later examples carried commemorative Moon-landing engravings. Today, the 145.022-69 ST is considered a cornerstone of vintage Speedmaster collecting, offering historical significance, Moonwatch heritage, and a direct connection to one of the most important periods in space exploration and watchmaking history.