It is very hard to not get excited about this incredible Omega Speedmaster 125! This chronograph was made to mark the 125th anniversary of Omega and they certainly pulled all of the tricks out of the bag for this technically and stylistically progressive timepiece!
It was the world's first ever chronometer certified automatic chronograph watch for which Omega designed the one-of-a-kind caliber 1041 movement. This movement was based on the more common cal. 1040 with a Lemania 1341 base caliber. This 17-jewelled, 1041 caliber has only been used in the Speedmaster 125.
This iconic movement sits inside a thick and heavy, stainless steel, two-piece case, which measures 51x42mm and 16mm deep. It is bulky, even by 1970s standards! The two-piece case has the outer, square-shaped frame but also an inner, round case which houses the movement and is held in place by a gasket/o-ring. Omega designed the watch like this for added protection and ease when servicing. Unusually, too, for a chronograph from this era, the watch has an integrated bracelet.
Unsurprisingly, for a watch of this magnitude, the dial has a lot going on, yet Omega have still managed to make it look unfussy and it's easy to read. At 12 o'clock we have the Omega name and logo, along with the anniversary edition '125' in applied steel, while 'Speedmaster' is painted. Quick date change sits at 3 o'clock, a 12-hour recorder at 6 o'clock and 24-hour recorder with continuous seconds are at 9 o'clock. The tachymtre scale is on the outer dial ring.
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.' The Speedmaster 125 was worn by the Russian cosmonaut Vladimir Dzhanibekov in 1978 when he spent a total of 145 days and 16 hours in space.
This watch comes fully serviced by our on-site workshop and with a 12 month, non-waterproof service cover.
What we think
With only 2,000 watches produced, this is still one of the most sought after and interesting watches from Omegas chronographs. It's a big and heavy watch and doesn't fit everyone but it is a true icon and a remarkable piece of history. A must have for any vintage/Omega/1970s/chronograph enthusiast.
Spec Stuff
Serial : 3829****
Reference : 178.002 / ST 378.0801
Movement : Cal. 1041, 17 Jewels
Age : 1971/1980 Specific Age : 1979 Case Size : 42mm Case Thickness : 16mm Lug to Lug : 51mm Lugs : 22mm Condition : Pre-Owned Box & Papers : No Case Material : Stainless Steel Service History : Our 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty
1979 Omega Speedmaster 125 Automatic Chronograph Chronometer Model 178.0002 in Stainless Steel on Bracelet
