When you buy an Omega Speedmaster, you get one of the most famous watch classics of all time on your wrist. Whether you choose a classic vintage watch, a newer model, or a limited edition variant, a Speedmaster is always a good choice. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that the watch is extremely popular among musicians, actors and other public figures.
The unique past of the Omega Speedmaster
What for some is the first step towards the right watch collection, for others may be the highlight of their collection. The distinctive Moonwatch has an incomparable history behind it: already the first Speedmaster, which made its market debut in 1957, became part of the official equipment for NASA astronauts after intensive testing. In July 1969, it was also part of the first lunar landing on the wrists of Michael Collins, Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong.
Omega has produced so many different models of the Moonwatch over the last few decades that it is difficult to keep track of them all. This probably requires an extensive look at the "Moonwatch Only" compendium. In addition to the classic Moonwatch, which is still sold today with Hesalite crystal and manual winding caliber, there are, among others, the Mark series with Mark II to Mark V, various automatic models, limited special editions (such as the Speedmaster 57) and some Apollo reminiscences. However, Omega now also makes modern versions with Co-Axial calibers and ceramic bezels; some even use ceramic cases.
Ryan Reynolds with the Speedmaster Dark Side Of The Moon
The Canadian-American actor is known for movies like Deadpool, Green Lantern or Smokin' Aces. His wrist is adorned by a modern version of the Speedmaster. The Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Dark Side Of The Moon - or in short and somewhat simpler: DSOTM - is an interpretation of the classic Speedmaster in the form of a tribute to the "dark side" of the moon. Not only a Pink Floyd classic, but also a nod to the fact that this view was previously reserved for Apollo astronauts. With its black dial and black zirconia ceramic case, it has a unique look that is perfectly complemented by the watch's inner workings: Omega's modern Co-Axial caliber 9300 is at work there. The whole thing can be observed through its large sapphire crystal caseback.
Tom Hanks with the Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch
This gentleman probably needs no introduction. If you do, Tom Hanks made himself immortal in 1994 at the latest with the titular role from Forrest Gump, for which he also won an Oscar. US actor Bill Paxton, who sadly passed away in 2017, was also known to wear the watch. He became world famous, thematically very fitting, through films like Apollo 13.
For this, however, we would go into a bit more detail with the Moonwatch. This classic Speedmaster variant has basically been made since the brand's debut. It also speaks for its quality that it has hardly been changed in the decades since. This is expressed, for example, in the fact that the current reference still incorporates a hand-wound caliber, namely the Caliber 1861, together with selected Plexiglas. This makes the model a truly unique watch. After all, almost all sports watch manufacturers now use sapphire crystal and automatic movement. Newer Moonwatch models also live up to their name and still receive NASA certification.
Mark Knopfler with the Speedmaster '57 in Bi-Color
Mark Knopfler, co-founder and guitarist of Dire Straits, has a fondness for the Speedmaster range. His favorite, in addition to the classic vintage Moonwatch, is the Omega Speedmaster '57, which you don't see very often on everyday wrists. Yet with its combination of stainless steel and red gold, it is the epitome of sports watch elegance. It made its debut back at Baselworld 2013, and its 41.5 millimeter diameter combines design aspects of the original Speedmaster Ref. 2915 with the modern Co-Axial caliber 9300. The Speedmaster '57 is available in solid gold, stainless steel or - particularly individually - in bi-color.
Daniel Craig with the Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch Apollo 11 40th Anniversary
The former James Bond actor not only liked to wear Omega watches in this iconic role; specifically those of the Seamaster series. He is also not averse to the brand in his private life. Here, Craig apparently tends more towards pieces from the Speedmaster collection. One of the watches on his wrist is the Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch Apollo 11 40th Anniversary, limited to 7,969 pieces and launched in 2009. Beneath the Speedmaster Professional lettering, it bears the inscription "02:56 GMT" - the exact time when Neil Armstrong set foot on the moon. The Apollo 11 mission emblem is also found at 9 o'clock on the totalizer.
Buzz Aldrin with Speedmaster Professional Apollo XI Limited Edition
We end the list with a real astronaut (or two). The favorite of Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin is one of the most popular models of the brand ever. In total, only 1014 watches of this very special watch were made between 1969 and 1973. Two of them went to the then President and Vice President, 28 went to the astronauts and 984 of the copies were authorized for the open market. Buzz Aldrin's favorite watch, the BA145.022, features a special combination of the burgundy bezel and the yellow-gold case. The onyx indices complete the elegant design. Omega launched a re-edition of the watch in 2019, which was also limited to 1014 pieces. Anyone who gets hold of one of these copies can consider themselves really lucky.