APOLLO 11 “40TH ANNIVERSARY” LIMITED EDITION

A few weeks ago the Head Tart finally took delivery of his Apollo 11 40th Anniversary Omega Speedmaster. Here are a few photos from the handover.

This 40th Anniversary model utilises Omega’s calibre 1861, the same movement used in the original Speedmaster Professional.

The seconds sub-dial, which has a brushed rhodium hand, takes the form of a small medallion featuring an adaptation of Apollo 11’s mission patch of an eagle descending to the lunar surface with an olive branch representing peace in its claws. The patch, was designed by Michael Collins who remained in the Apollo 11 capsule as Command Module Pilot while his colleagues Armstrong and Aldrin were in the Lunar Module and on the moon.

The Apollo 11 mission patch is also on the caseback along with the words, “THE FIRST WATCH WORN ON THE MOON”, the limited edition number (0000/7969), and “July 21, 1969”, the date Armstrong and Aldrin first stepped onto the moon’s surface at 02:56, the time which is printed on the dial.

A 42 mm silver medal featuring an engraving of the mission patch on one side with the words “APOLLO 11, 40th ANNIVERARY”. On the reverse side, the medal is engraved, “THE EAGLE HAS LANDED”; “LAUNCHED JULY 16 1969”; “LANDED JULY 20, 1969”; and “RETURNED, JULY 24, 1969” along with OMEGA’s name and logo.

Congratulations to the proud new owner of this LE Speedy!