2019 Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch Apollo XVII 17 Limited Edition
Ref: 311.30.42.30.99.002

Specification

Points of Mention

This watch is sold with its original Omega box and Omega paperwork. The watch comes paired on its original Omega bracelet with a signed Omega clasp, all links included. The watch is from August 2019 and is sold in worn condition, but overall great condition as you can see. The watch comes with its original manufacturer warranty which is able to be used by whoever owns the watch and has the guarantee card.

The Watch

Formerly known as the La Generale Watch Co. Founded by Louis Brandt in La Chaux-de-Fonds in 1848. In 1903 they renamed the company Omega until 1982 when they officially changed their name to Omega SA. They are part of the Swiss Swatch Group.

The Omega Speedmaster Professional was made famous for its 6 lunar missions. NASA in 1964 sent out letters to 10 watch brands, asking them to send in a Chronograph. Only four brands responded to NASA’s request, which was: Rolex, Longines-Wittnauer, Hamilton, and Omega, comically Hamilton sent in a pocket watch. Having all the specific requirements to achieve precise measurements, Omega continued to be tested with the many manned flights. Today the Speedmaster remains one of only a few watches Flight certified and is still the only one qualified for EVA (Extravehicular activity) commonly known as a Space Walk.

This limited edition Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch “Apollo XVII” commemorates the 40th anniversary of the final lunar mission in December 1972. Limited to 1,972 pieces. It uniquely features a .925 silver dial with the same design as the Apollo XVII patch embossed onto it. Eugene Cernan, commander of the Apollo 17 mission, commissioned space artist Robert McCall to design the patch for his flight. The insignia has the image of Apollo, the Greek sun god. Suspended in space behind the head of Apollo is an American eagle of contemporary design, the red bars of the eagle’s wing represent the bars in the U.S. flag; the three white stars symbolize the three astronaut crewmen. Apollo faces the planets in the expectation that one day man will visit those distant planets.

It's 42mm stainless steel case has polished and brushed surfaces that lead the eye to beveled tapering lugs. The crisp lines transition effortlessly around the case. A lug to lug length of 48mm ensures a comfortable fit on the wrist. A fixed tachymeter sits on its aluminum bezel with a black insert. The dial is protected by a domed sapphire crystal AR coated on both sides. An outer minute chapter ring surrounds the embossed .925 silver dials replicating the patch designed by the space artist Robert McCall. At 3 o’clock a 30-minute register, at 6 o’clock a 12 hours register and finally at 9 o’clock 60 seconds register. The registers are more symbolic, due to them not having numerals, than a practical way to measure the time elapsed. Elegant slim baton hands have luminescence infill, the chronograph hand has an arrow tip. On the reverse, engraved in black “The last man on the moon December 14, 1972” “Apollo XVII” 40th Anniversary. Limited Edition out of 1,972. Inside we have the Cal. 1861, 18 Jewels hand-wound Chronograph beating at 21,600 bph. It has a Rhodium plated finish. As a manual wound movement, it is the direct descendant of the original moon watch that used the Cal. 361 movement. The watch comes fitted on a 20mm Omega Stainless Steel bracelet, satin-brushed and polished detailing, with its signed push-button deployment clasp and screwed-in links. Comes with the complete Limited Edition presentation box.

Personal Note

A watch that is incredibly decisive within the "Speedmaster World", some absolutely dislike it, others absolutely love it! I think its fantastic due to the fact it's not just another standard Speedmaster, the design certainly catches the eye and someone said "This isn't a watch you buy to tell the time", whilst the time is legible this a watch you buy for the design and the story!