Speedmaster First Omega in Space

The Omega Speedmaster ref. 311.32.40.30.01.001, known as the "First Omega in Space," commemorates the Speedmaster's debut in orbit aboard Sigma 7 during Wally Schirra's Mercury mission in October 1962. Produced across much of the 2010s, it pairs a 39.7 mm stainless steel case with the manually wound calibre 1861, the direct descendant of the movement that accompanied astronauts to the Moon. The black dial and restrained presentation keep the focus squarely on the watch's historical significance rather than decorative flourish.

Omega introduced this reference around 2012, timed to mark the fiftieth anniversary of Schirra's flight — the first occasion a Speedmaster was worn in space, predating NASA's official astronaut-equipment certification by several years. The model sits within the broader Speedmaster family as a historically themed variant, distinct from the standard Moonwatch line yet sharing its core movement architecture. Production continued through 2019, giving the reference a run of roughly seven years during which it served as a dedicated tribute piece within Omega's catalogue. Its relatively compact 39.7 mm diameter was a deliberate nod to the proportions of the original 1960s Speedmaster cases.