Speedmaster Pre Moon 145012-67

OMEGA SPEEDMASTER PROFESSIONAL PRE MOON

ICONEEK price : SOLD

Iconeek is proud to introduce to you one of the most famous and probably the best chronograph in the world: The Speedmaster Professional, in a very sought-after version: ref. ST145012-67.

Ref. ST145012-67, launched in 1967, is the second  generation of the ST145012 (which was the successor to the ST105.012). Furthermore, It was the first reference of the Speedmaster line to bear the name « Professional », as the Speedmaster was the watch selected by the NASA (among other famous brand), without any modifications, for Apollo space missions. The heavy-duty case and sturdy crystal enables the Speedmaster to withstand underwater pressure to a depth of 200 feet.

This wonderful Speedmaster Professional Pre Moon ref.145012 model was purchased on April 2, 1969, a couple of month before the Moon landing. As the present watch was made in 1967, in accordance with its reference “145012-(19)67” and movement number 25008430, it is interesting to note that when this watch was sold, the model was already out of production, as Omega introduced the ref. ST145.022, and make us wonder how long this watch was lying around in that store.

Introduced in 1963, with reference ST105.012, the 42 mm. three-body case is asymmetric with « Lyre » lugs. The screwed-down case back is engraved with the Speedmaster logo. The movement is covered by an anti-magnetic protection cap. The black bezel comes with a tachometer graduation to 500 UPH. The watch comes with the correct 7 mm diameter winding-crown and 5 mm diameter pushers (started in 1963 with ref. ST105003), as the chronograph pushers were updated to slightly bigger diameter than the previous versions to improve water-resistance. The hesalite crystal bears the Omega logo in its center. This design sets the ADN and new standards for all the future generation of Speedmaster!

The original black stepped dial is fitted with painted luminous baton indexes,  an outer 1/5th seconds track, three subsidiary dials for the seconds, the 12-hour and 30-minute registers, luminous white baton hands. The dial is printed “Omega, Speedmaster, Professional”  and  “T Swiss Made T” and features the iconic applied polished steel Omega logo. It is said that Omega switched from a raised metal logo to a simple stamped logo, mainly due to cost considerations. The luminous material has nicely aged over times.

This superb Speedy is powered by the beautiful Lemania based, caliber 321 movement (debuted in 1957),  with its column wheel chronograph mechanism. The Omega caliber 321 movement was replaced by the caliber 861 cam shaft chronograph at the end of 1968.This 321 is copper-colored, 17 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, monometallic balance with timing screws, shock absorber, self-compensating Breguet balance spring, index regulator. All Speedmasters bearing caliber 321 are said to be from the First generation, with caliber 861 the Second generation, and so on.

This Speedmaster Professional Pre Moon watch is complete with its international guarantee and its original presentation box. The original guarantee and invoice contain the matching serial number, reference number (also referred to as case number), name of the Omega dealer and name of the buyer. Dial, case and movement are signed

The Speedmaster is known as the Moonwatch, but moreover the model is a true star in the watchmaking history. A great watch in superb overall condition.

Condition: 9/10. From the C.V private collection