Omega
Speedmaster Professional
145.022
The definitive manual-wind Moonwatch in its most storied steel case.
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Overview
The Omega Speedmaster Professional reference 145.022 represents one of the most significant chapters in the Speedmaster lineage, produced from 1968 through 1981. Powered by the calibre 861 manual-winding chronograph movement, it carries the 42 mm stainless steel case and black dial configuration that defined the Professional's enduring aesthetic. It is widely regarded as the quintessential collector's Speedmaster, spanning an era that encompasses some of the most celebrated moments in space exploration history.
History
The 145.022 succeeded earlier Speedmaster references and was in production during the Apollo programme's most active years, cementing the model's association with human spaceflight. Omega adopted the calibre 861 — a refined evolution of the earlier cal. 321 — as the movement underpinning this reference, offering improved reliability and serviceability. The reference remained in continuous production for over a decade, during which it was worn by NASA astronauts and became a fixture of the broader collecting world. Its long production run means examples span several dial, hand, and caseback variations that are closely studied by specialists today.
Notable points
- Calibre 861 movement: a column-wheel-free lever-chronograph design that replaced the earlier cal. 321, prized for its robustness and ease of service.
- 42 mm stainless steel case with the asymmetric pump-pusher configuration and hesalite (acrylic) crystal that characterised NASA-era Speedmasters.
- Produced across the entirety of the Apollo lunar landing programme and into the Space Shuttle era, making it a direct witness to pivotal moments in spaceflight.
- Multiple sub-variants exist within the reference, including differences in dial printing, hand styles, and caseback engravings, making provenance research a rewarding pursuit for collectors.
- The black stepped dial with applied baton indices and three white subsidiary registers is among the most recognisable chronograph dial layouts in horological history.
Specifications
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