We have here a very special and unusual Omega Speedmaster Mark II Chronograph from 1973. First released in 1969, this is a watch of icon status. The original, grey dial has the rarer orange and red check outer minute track, known today as a "racing" dial. The luminous orange markers, subsidiary dial hands and chronograph hand make the dial more legible (let's face it, there is a lot going on!), but also add to that funkier aesthetic that make us love 1970s design. Rather unusually, the Omega logo at 12 o'clock is also in orange.
In terms of function, at 3 o'clock sits the 30-minute recorder and at 6 o'clock is the 12-hour recorder. Subsidiary seconds are located at 9 o'clock and are distinguishable from the other subsidiary dials by the white hand, mimicking the white hour and minute hands on the main dial. A raised tachymeter scale sits on the very outer of the watch, just under the mineral glass.
All of this is powered by the famous caliber 861, the same caliber in Omega's Moon Watch, fully serviced by us and running strongly. The manual-wind movement is housed inside a barrel/tonneau-shaped, brushed and polished stainless steel case, measuring a chunky 41x45mm and 14mm deep. We've kept the watch on its original, stainless steel bracelet, which keeps the watch looking sporty, but we know this watch will look good on leather too.
The watch comes with its original Omega box, which is very rare for a watch that is 50+ years old, and Omega archive extract.
Extra Points
Founded by Louis Brandt in 1848, Omega started out as La Generale Watch Co., an unassuming, but international business. It wasn't until 1885, when the company had been taken over by Louis' sons, that the first mass-produced caliber, the Labrador, was released. By 1903, the company had renamed itself Omega and only two years later were they the official timekeepers at many sporting events across Switzerland. Omega stepped onto an international stage in 1932 as the official timekeepers at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles, the first of over 20 Olympic Games. Omega were one of the 12 companies, now known as the Dirty Dozen, commissioned to produce watches for the British Military during the Second World War. One of Omega's most iconic watches, the Seamaster, was introduced in 1948 to celebrate their 100th anniversary. Over 70 years later, it is still one of Omega's best selling watches. Omega made headlines in 1962 when Wally Schirra wore the Speedmaster as part of NASA's first crewed spaceflight programme, making the Speedmaster the first watch to enter space. It was only a few years before the Speedmaster became the official chronograph for the American space missions and was worn by Buzz Aldrin as well as the Apollo 13 crew. Omega are still involved with NASA and have been instrumental in creating vital pieces of equipment for space exploration. Omega's reputation continued to soar in the 1990s with Omega Seamaster worn by Pierce Brosnan as James Bond. As well as post-1995 James Bonds, Omega has been worn by the likes of Elvis Presley, John F. Kennedy, Prince William, Rory McIlroy, Ringo Starr, Michael Phelps, Cindy Crawford and George Clooney.
Chronographs have often had historical significance, timing and calculating some of the world's most important events, and one watch that always comes to mind when discussing these notable occasions is the Omega Speedmaster, as it was the first watch to be worn on the moon (it was actually the watch of choice for all six lunar missions), and it's from here that it has, rightly, earned its nickname of 'the Moon Watch.'
This watch comes fully serviced by our on-site workshop and with a 12 month, non-waterproof service cover.
What we think
Not only is the Speedmaster one of Omega's most iconic timepieces, but it is arguably the most iconic chronograph. We love this funky but well-balanced Mark II and its originality is confirmed by the Omega archive extract. Omega reintroduced this model in 2014, just in time for its 45th anniversary, which you can see here. It isn't every day we have a watch with such a big cult following and we definitely feel silly not keeping it for ourselves!
Spec Stuff
Serial : 3283****
Reference : ST 145.014
Movement : Manual Wind Cal. 861 Age : 1971/1980 Specific Age : 8th May 1973 Case Size : 41mm Case Thickness : 14mm Lug to Lug : 45mm Lugs : 22mm Condition : Pre-Owned Box & Papers : Original Omega Box and Omega Archive Extract Case Material : Stainless Steel Service History : Our 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty
1973 Rare & Unusual Omega Speedmaster Professional Mk2 Racing Chronograph 145.014 with Grey & Orange Dial in Stainless Steel on Bracelet with Extract
