310.32.40.50.06.001, SPEEDMASTER FIRST OMEGA IN SPACE

A ref. 310.32.40.50.06.001, the Speedmaster First Omega in Space from the Anniversary Series. The case is 39.7mm with straight, symmetrical lugs and no crown guards, the slim profile of a second generation Speedmaster rather than the Moonwatch everyone knows. The dial is dark and matte, finished by Omega in a grey-blue CVD that reads black in most light, and the indexes and Alpha hands carry vintage Super-LumiNova in a warm, aged brown tone. A tachymeter bezel with the dot over ninety frames it all. Inside is calibre 3861, the hand-wound Co-Axial Master Chronometer movement, and the solid caseback is engraved THE FIRST OMEGA IN SPACE and OCTOBER 3, 1962 around the Seahorse. It sat on a black leather strap, which is exactly how this watch wants to be worn.

On October 3, 1962, Wally Schirra flew Sigma 7 on Mercury-Atlas 8, six orbits of the Earth, wearing his own Speedmaster CK2998 on his wrist. It was the first Omega to go to space, three years before NASA formally qualified the Speedmaster for its missions. The CK2998 was the second generation of a chronograph Omega had launched in 1957, recognizable by its Alpha hands and straight lugs. Omega first paid tribute with the FOIS of 2012, then returned on October 3, 2024 with a new Anniversary Series. This reference brought the 3861 into the FOIS case, along with a sapphire crystal shaped like hesalite and lume made to look like it had spent decades in the sun.

Look at the lume. Omega gave this watch a brown, aged Super-LumiNova on purpose, so a brand new watch reads like one that has lived a little. Then look at the case: no crown guards, straight lugs, 39.7mm, and suddenly the Speedmaster feels lighter and more personal than the Moonwatch ever does. The Alpha hands are the giveaway that this is Schirra's watch and not Armstrong's, and very few people will notice, which is part of the fun. Underneath it all is a Master Chronometer movement, so the vintage look comes without the vintage compromise. On black leather it is the most understated space watch Omega makes. Curated with intent.