Omega Speedmaster*** 145.022 Apollo-Soyuz*** 1976
OMEGA Speedmaster 145.022 Apollo-Soyuz Limited Edition, circa 1976
Serial: 39181335 / Limited Edition Number 146
Circa: 1976
Reference No.: 145.022
CASE: 42mm, stainless steel, steel with black bezel tachymeter. Special Apollo-Soyuz commemorative case back with limited edition number.
DIAL: Black matte dial with Apollo-Soyuz mission medallion and tritium hour markers
MOVEMENT: Calibre 861, hand-wound chronograph, 17 jewels
BRACELET: Stainless steel 'Oyster' bracelet 1168/633
CONDITION REPORT: All original and excellent condition. The dial and hands are mint and Tiritum lume is stunning. The case and bracelet are unpolished and 5.5mm pushers are original. The number on the caseback is clearly visible without a loupe, but as a precaution we’ve kept a protective sticker on it.
Notes: According to the Omega Museum archives extract, the present watch was produced May 3, 1976 and delivered to Italy. The archives also confirms this is an Apollo Soyuz special edition Speedmaster.
In commemoration of the successful mission between Russian and American space programs in 1975, in the middle of the Cold War, Omega released its first numbered edition in stainless steel in 1976: The Apollo-Soyuz Speedmaster for the Italian Market. This is the only Speedmaster that does not mention Speedmaster on the dial and instead has the Apollo-Soyuz mission logo. It has special 5.5mm large pushers on the case and a commemorative numbered case back. Interestingly, it also has a special bracelet the 1168 'Oyster style' that is not seen on other Speedmasters.
Only a few hundred were made (between 300-500pcs), however these rarely come up for sale. It’s surprising based on the production estimates how few come up for sale. Many also don’t have the correct configuration and pushers. Finding and all original and mint condition example can take years.
The importance of this Speedmaster is astounding as the first steel numbered edition with a mission patch on the dial was the precursor to many mission patch Speedmasters to follow decades later. It is easily recognizable and with several unique attributes is so rich in collectible value.
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