Omega
Speemaster 861 Space-Station Time - Original Paper Set

Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch — 345.022 Calibre 861 — 42 mm — Stainless Steel — Vintage

“From motor racing to NASA’s Space Shuttles, the watch that measures achievement.”

There are watches that transcend their function to become true cultural icons. The Omega Speedmaster belongs to that rare category. Designed in 1957 to meet the demands of motor racing, it ultimately forged its legend among the stars, on the wrists of NASA astronauts. From the roar of racing engines to the silence of space, it established itself as the world’s most famous time-measuring instrument. Its robustness and legibility made it the favored companion of the pioneers of human adventure. Conceived in 1957 to shine in the automotive world (hence its fixed bezel with tachymeter scale), it was adopted by pilots for its exceptional legibility—the reading of time is almost instantaneous at a glance. With construction that was robust and innovative for its era, its successful design and perfectly balanced dial have allowed it to cross the decades without needing alteration.

The Omega Speedmaster presented here is fitted with the tri-compax Calibre C-861 with 18 jewels, beating at 21,600 vibrations per hour and offering a 48-hour power reserve after a full wind. It drives three totalizer subdials arranged at 9, 3, and 6 o’clock: on the left, a permanent small seconds that lets you confirm the watch is running when the chronograph is not engaged; on the right, a 30-minute counter; and at the bottom of the dial, a 12-hour counter. A vintage watch worn by numerous astronauts and crew members on STS missions (NASA Space Shuttles), it has become an icon of the space age and its conquest. Seen on the wrists of many actors and actresses in films and series set in space, the Omega Speedmaster chronograph is a staple of crewed flight and exploration. There truly are watches that transcend their function to become cultural touchstones; the Omega Speedmaster is one of them. Designed in 1957 for motor racing, it ultimately earned its legend in the stars, on NASA astronauts’ wrists. From the roar of competition engines to the hush of space, it became the world’s most renowned chronograph. Its sturdiness and clarity made it a privileged companion of human pioneers.

The Speedmaster was born in 1957 with a simple idea: to offer drivers a reliable, perfectly legible watch thanks to its fixed tachymeter bezel. Very quickly, its innovative construction and balanced design appealed far beyond the racetrack. In 1965, NASA officially qualified it for all crewed space missions. It accompanied astronauts on the Apollo program, crossed the threshold of the Moon, and became inseparable from space exploration. Later, it would also be worn aboard the Space Stations, confirming its status as the Moonwatch, an enduring symbol of humankind’s conquest of space.

At the crossroads of motor sport and space exploration, the Speedmaster speaks both to watch connoisseurs and lovers of history. It naturally finds its place on the wrist of a seasoned collector, yet it also slips easily under a shirt cuff at the office or complements a relaxed, casual look. Versatile and charismatic, it is as much a tool as it is a symbol, and it continues to fascinate with its timeless appeal.

At Mostra, every Omega Speedmaster undergoes a complete service in our Aix-en-Provence workshop, where our certified watchmakers check every function. It is adjusted, tested, and prepared for real-world wear so that the buyer can fully enjoy the instrument day to day. It is delivered with a 3-year warranty, a certificate of authenticity, and the assurance of acquiring a carefully selected piece from a house specializing in high-end pre-owned watches.

Discover our pre-owned Omega Speedmaster