Introduction to the Omega Alaska Project

The formerly secret cooperation between the watch manufacturer Omega and NASA, known as the Alaska Project, tells a story that continues to delight more than just die-hard watch fans. The aim of the project: to create a watch that 100% meets the requirements that space travel places on timepieces. A goal that was achieved on the basis of the Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch, which is listed in the regular catalog. In this article, we describe the background to the Moonwatch Alaska Project and explain the connection to the regularly produced Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional.

The most important things in brief

• Space requirements : The Moonwatch "Alaska Project" watches were developed by Omega together with NASA to withstand extreme temperature changes and the conditions in space.

• Innovative materials : Advanced materials and innovative design features played a central role in the production of the Omega Speedmaster "Alaska Project" prototypes.

• Collector value and exclusivity : Due to the limited production and the special features, the vintage Moonwatch "Alaska Project" models have a high collector value.

Historical Background

Contrary to what one might expect, the Omega Speedmaster Professional, which is now inseparably associated with the nickname "Moonwatch", was not initially intended for use in space. After its development in the 1950s, it was simply included in the Omega catalog and was therefore available to anyone who could invest the necessary money. It was therefore anything but an official NASA space watch.

Nevertheless, the Omega Speedmaster Professional was on board the Mercury-Atlas 8 mission, on the wrist of astronaut Wally Schirra. He had purchased the timepiece privately, without the chronograph having been officially approved for use in space by NASA. The watch was officially accepted into the NASA program in 1964. At that time, reference 105.003 was the current version of the Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch. It passed all NASA tests exactly as it was listed in the public catalog. An outstanding achievement and a sign that Omega has created something truly great with this steel watch.

It was not until 1968 that Omega and NASA began working together. Development of the later reference 105.012 began. This was the successor to the watch with the reference number 105.003, which was specially optimized for astronauts but was still available to everyone. Just one year after the Alaska Project collaboration began, the Omega Speedmaster Professional reference 105.003 traveled to the moon with Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin during the Apollo 11 mission and thus became a witness to the moon landing. It is therefore obvious why the Omega Speedmaster Professional is called the "Moonwatch".

The Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch in the context of the Alaska Project

Time to take a closer look at the watch that is so robust that it was chosen for measuring time on space missions. Below we go through the various stages that shaped the Alaska Project:

Alaska Project I

The first prototype, which emerged from the Alaska Project, saw the light of day in 1969. The Ref. 5-003, with its pure white dial and eye-catching orange hands, is visually inspired by the Gemini space capsules. Thanks to its zinc oxide coating and an anodized aluminum casing, it is particularly resistant to sunlight and the enormous temperature fluctuations in space. The titanium case was an absolute novelty in the watch industry at the time and could only be implemented by using known military technology. Inside it ticked a Caliber 861 movement.

As mentioned above, however, it was not the reference developed in the Alaska Project that was allowed to take part in the moon landing. That honor went to the standard Omega Speedmaster Professional, while the Ref. 5-003 never made it beyond prototype status.

Alaska Project II

The Alaska I Project was followed in 1972 by the Alaska Project II. The second prototype bore the reference ST 145.022, had a minute scale instead of a tachymeter scale and had a slightly smaller steel case. One of the few steel examples produced changed hands years later at an auction for the equivalent of €145,000. This watch never found its way into space either, but ended up in the hands of almost 2,000 lucky watch collectors in the form of a limited new edition in 2008.

Alaska Project III

The Alaska III prototype was developed in 1978 and was visually very different from its predecessors. Omega now used a black dial, arranged the numerals on the totalizers radially and equipped the timepiece with the 861 hand-wound movement. This steel prototype was actually adopted into NASA's Space Shuttle program and was used well into the 1990s.

Alaska Project IV

A textile strap, a digital display and a quartz movement with a rate deviation of just 5 seconds characterize the prototype model that completes the group of watches created as part of the Alaska Project. The fourth Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch from the Alaska Project was equipped with tritium gas tubes that illuminated the display and thus enabled optimal readability without having to rely on potentially safety-threatening light bulbs.

Technical innovations and design features

The Omega Alaska Project was not lacking in innovations. As already mentioned, the first Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Alaska Project was not made of stainless steel, but of titanium. This particularly light and extremely hard material was used for the first time to make the case of a watch - an impressive innovation. Later models were then made of steel and had a steel bracelet or a textile bracelet.

The red aluminum casing that surrounded the case of early Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch Alaska Project models is also an innovation. The anodized material was ideal for protecting the watch's movement from high temperatures of almost 130 degrees Celsius and strong sunlight. What was particularly practical was that the casing was removable on both the titanium watch and the stainless steel model. Even though functionality was clearly the main focus when developing watches for the Alaska Project, the orange-red protective casing became a famous, recognizable feature of early Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch watches. Its color matches the nuance found on the second hand, creates a visual connection between the casing and the dial, and is therefore not at all distracting to the eye.

Collectible and Market Analysis

The Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch Alaska Project watches were only produced in very small numbers. They are considered rarities by collectors and are extremely valuable, especially in good condition - i.e. without serious signs of wear. Depending on the reference, condition and available accessories, customers pay €20,000 and more for such a watch on the secondary market. Assuming, of course, that they are lucky enough to get their hands on one of the rare Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch Alaska Project watches. The most sought-after are unrestored and therefore authentic vintage models with no damage to the dial, glass, bezel, crown, etc., which are sold including the original box and all documents and papers.

As with any watch purchase, buyers should also pay attention to a few things when purchasing a Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch from the Alaska Project. The highest priority is the authenticity of the stainless steel or titanium watch in question. If the original box and papers are present, that is a good first sign. However, the documents and packaging can potentially be fake. It is therefore advisable to consult an expert or only buy from reputable, proven suppliers such as HORANDO . We check every watch thoroughly for authenticity before selling it, so our customers do not have to worry about the authenticity of their Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch Alaska Project.

care and maintenance

An Omega Speedmaster "Alaska Project" naturally needs to be looked after and cared for. The models with manual winding need to be wound regularly so that they do not stop. The robust titanium or stainless steel cases should also be stored on a soft surface so that the bezel and case are protected from scratches. Depending on the type of strap on the Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch Alaska Project, the recommended care varies. The classic metal link straps can be polished with a soft cloth and cleaned between the links with a thin cotton swab or brush. Leather straps benefit from the occasional use of a suitable leather care product.

In order to maintain the value of the watch after purchase, it is important to keep the box and certificates safe, in addition to maintenance. In addition, it is advisable to regularly take the Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch Alaska Project to a specialist who will take care of the maintenance. For the maintenance of such rare, valuable watches as the Omega Speedmaster "Alaska Project", you should choose a watchmaker who is familiar with vintage timepieces and is very familiar with Omega luxury watches.

warranty and customer service

HORANDO gives customers a one-year guarantee on used vintage watches . Buyers also have the security of being able to return the Omega Speedmaster "Alaska Project" up to 14 days after purchase. Delivery and return shipping are of course free of charge - so the buyer does not incur any shipping costs when returning the watch. If there are any problems with the purchase or with the chronograph they have purchased, customers can contact our reliable customer service at any time by phone or email. They are available to provide advice and assistance to interested parties, helping them to be 100 percent satisfied with the "new" Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch Alaska Project.

We may not have a rarity like the Moonwatch "Alaska Project" in stock at all times. If the item is not currently listed in our range, interested parties can use the Watchfinder service to let us know that they would like a suitable offer. We will then contact our international network and, ideally, can quickly offer an Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch Alaska Project of the desired reference at a fair price.

Future projects and outlook

The Moonwatch "Alaska Project" prototypes did not play a significant role in actual NASA missions, but they served as a great inspiration for the watch industry. The Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch in particular, which unlike the Moonwatch "Alaska Project" models did accompany astronauts into space, is still historically inseparable from the Omega Speedmaster "Alaska Project". Every Omega Speedmaster chronograph is a reminder of the close collaboration between Omega and NASA. It is unclear whether there will be further joint projects between the watch manufacturer and NASA in the future. One thing is clear, however: Omega timepieces are not only of great service on Earth.