The formerly secret cooperation between the watch manufacturer Omega and NASA, known as the Alaska Project, tells a story that still inspires more than just die-hard watch fans today. The aim of the project: to create a watch that meets 100% of the requirements that space travel places on timepieces. A goal that was achieved on the basis of the Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch listed in the normal 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 facts in brief
Space requirements: The Moonwatch "Alaska Project" watches were developed by Omega together with NASA to withstand extreme temperature fluctuations and 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's value and exclusivity: Due to their limited production and special characteristics, the vintage Moonwatch "Alaska Project" models have a high collector's value.
Historical background
Contrary to what one might expect, the Omega Speedmaster Professional, which today is inextricably linked with the nickname "Moonwatch", was not initially intended for use in space. After its development in the 1950s, it was simply added to the Omega catalog and was therefore available to anyone who had the money to invest. 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 by NASA for use in space. The watch was officially accepted into the NASA program in 1964, at which time the 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 had created something truly great with this steel watch.
It was not until 1968 that the joint work between Omega and NASA began. The development of the later reference 105.012 began, the successor to the watch with the reference number 105.003, which was specially optimized for astronauts but still available to everyone. Just one year after the start of the Alaska Project cooperation, the Omega Speedmaster Professional reference 105.003 traveled to the moon with Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin as part of 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, which is so robust that it was chosen for timekeeping on space missions. In the following, we go through the various stages that shaped the Alaska Project:
Alaska Project I
The first prototype to emerge 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 aluminium case, 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 realized by using well-known military technologies. Inside ticked a caliber 861 movement.
As already mentioned, however, it was not the reference developed in the Alaska Project that was allowed to participate in the moon landing. This honor was bestowed on the standard Omega Speedmaster Professional, while the Ref. 5-003 did not make it beyond prototype status.
Alaska Project II
The Alaska I Project was followed by the Alaska Project II in 1972. The second prototype bore the Ref. ST 145.022, had a minute scale instead of the tachymeter scale and was given 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 also never found its way into space, but ended up in the hands of almost 2,000 lucky watch collectors in the form of a limited re-edition from 2008.
Alaska Project III
The Alaska III prototype was developed in 1978 and was visually very different from its predecessors. Omega now opted for 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 included in 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, which enabled the display to be illuminated and thus optimally readable without having to rely on potentially safety-endangering incandescent lamps.
Technical innovations and design features
The Omega Alaska Project was not short of innovations. As already briefly mentioned, the first Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Alaska Project was not made of stainless steel, but of titanium. This particularly light yet extremely hard material was used for the first time to make the case of a watch - an impressive novelty. Later models were then made of steel and had a steel bracelet or a bracelet made of textile material.
The red aluminum casing that surrounded the case of early Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch Alaska Project models can also be seen as an innovation. The anodized material was ideal for protecting the movement of the watch from high temperatures of almost 130 degrees Celsius and strong sunlight. Particularly practical: the cover was removable on both the titanium watch and the stainless steel model. Even though functionality was clearly the main focus in the development of watches for the Alaska Project, the orange-red protective cover became a famous visual recognition feature of the early Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch watches. It echoes the color of the second hand, creating a visual link between the case and the dial and thus not disturbing the eye at all.
Collector's item and market analysis
The Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch Alaska Project watches were only produced in very small numbers. Accordingly, they are considered rarities among collectors and are extremely valuable, especially when 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. Provided, 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 watches are unrestored and therefore authentic vintage models without damage to the dial, crystal, bezel, crown, etc., which are sold including the original box and all documents and papers.
As with any watch purchase, buyers should keep a few things in mind 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, this is a good first sign. However, the documents and packaging could potentially be counterfeit. It is therefore advisable to consult an expert or only buy from reputable, tried and tested sellers such as HORANDO. We check every watch thoroughly for authenticity before selling it, so that 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. The models with manual winding must be wound regularly to prevent them from stopping. The robust titanium or stainless steel cases should also be stored on a soft surface to protect the bezel and case from scratches. Depending on the type of strap on the Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch Alaska Project, the recommended care varies. The classic metal link bracelets can be polished with a soft cloth and cleaned between the links with a thin cotton bud or brush. Leather straps benefit from the occasional application 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 in a safe place. It is also advisable to take the Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch Alaska Project regularly to a specialist for servicing. For the servicing of such rare, valuable watches as the Omega Speedmaster "Alaska Project", a watchmaker should be chosen who is familiar with vintage timepieces and who knows Omega luxury watches inside out.
Warranty and customer service
HORANDO grants customers a one-year guarantee on used vintage watches. In addition, buyers 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 purchased chronograph, customers can contact our reliable customer service team at any time by phone or email. They are on hand to help and advise prospective buyers and help them achieve 100% satisfaction with their "new" Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch Alaska Project.
We may not always have a rarity like the Moonwatch "Alaska Project" in stock. 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
Although the Moonwatch "Alaska Project" prototypes did not play a significant role in actual NASA missions, 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 indeed accompany astronauts into space, is to this day historically inseparable from the Omega Speedmaster "Alaska Project". Every Omega Speedmaster Chronograph is a reminder of Omega's close collaboration with NASA. Whether there will be further joint projects between the watch manufacturer and NASA in the future is unclear. What is absolutely clear, however, is that Omega timepieces are not only useful on Earth.