Created in the immediate aftermath of one of humanity’s defining achievements, this extraordinary gold Speedmaster belongs to the celebrated series of 1,014 examples produced by Omega to commemorate the successful Apollo XI Moon landing in July 1969. Transforming the utilitarian Moonwatch into solid 18K yellow gold, the edition gave the Speedmaster an entirely new presence while preserving the architecture of the chronograph that had accompanied the astronauts to the Moon.

The first examples of the series occupy a particularly fascinating place in Omega history. Watches numbered 1 and 2 were intended for U.S. President Richard Nixon and Vice President Spiro Agnew, while a number of subsequent pieces were presented to NASA astronauts and prominent figures connected with the American space programme. The remaining numbered examples were made available commercially, creating one of the earliest and most historically evocative limited editions in the Speedmaster lineage.

The watch retains the familiar 42 mm Professional case, yet its execution in solid yellow gold dramatically changes its character. The matching 18K yellow gold bracelet extends the precious metal across the wrist, while the chronograph layout remains unmistakably Speedmaster. Inside is the manually wound calibre 861, introduced into the Speedmaster family in 1968 and closely associated with the reference 145.022.

Numbered 902, the present watch belongs directly to this landmark commemorative series. More than simply a precious-metal interpretation of the Speedmaster, the reference 145.022-69 Apollo XI links Omega’s most celebrated chronograph with the moment that permanently established the Moonwatch legend, making it one of the most historically resonant gold Speedmasters of its era.