Omega
Speedmaster NASA Missions Skylab 2 - original limited edition

Omega Speedmaster Professional Skylab II, 3597.21.00 limited edition of just 150 pieces from 1998. This model commemorates NASA's first manned Skylab mission, with the crew composed of Commander Pete Conrad (previously on Gemini 5 with his Glycine Airman I), Paul J. Weitz as Pilot, and Joseph Kerwin in charge of medical and scientific testing. It was an emergency rescue mission put together in just a few days.

The Skylab program was NASA’s first space station initiative, launched as an extension of the Apollo missions. Its goal was to leverage NASA's expertise in manned spaceflight to further scientific exploration in orbit.

On May 14, 1973, during the launch of the Skylab space station, NASA lost part of its thermal shield and one of its solar panels. The station's integrity and viability were compromised. In the following days, a rescue mission was urgently planned. Known as Skylab II (also referred to as Skylab I, as it was the first manned mission to the station), it allowed astronauts to repair the damage and keep the station operational until 1979. Between 1973 and 1974, three successive crews would carry out experiments aboard Skylab before it was put into hibernation. On July 11, 1979, the station disintegrated during re-entry into Earth's atmosphere, pulled out of orbit by intense solar activity.

This Omega Speedmaster Professional is a 42mm manual-winding chronograph and part of the first series of mission-themed Speedmasters released by Omega in 1998, featuring the Apollo and Skylab badges. All watches in this collection are powered by the Omega calibre 1861 Rhodium, B5 type. Highly collectible, these models are renowned for their distinctive dials, exceptional build quality, and extreme rarity—only 150 pieces were produced.

Learn more about the history of Omega’s special limited editions by following this link, and discover the full story of the Speedmaster here

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