Russell Sheldrake
The second-generation of the First Omega in Space sports an updated movement, the Co-Axial 3861.The 39.7mm steel case houses a CVD-coloured blue-grey dial.Pricing starts at US$7,500.That’s right. The first Omega to break the Earth’s atmosphere is making a return in the form of the new Omega Speedmaster First Omega in Space Anniversary Series. Known in collector circles as the First Omega in Space (FOiS), the original CK 2998 was purchased by astronaut Walter “Wally” Schirra and was worn when aboard the Sigma 7 mission on October 3, 1962.This new model has a few key differences from the anniversary FOiS that was released back in 2012, the main one being the movement, upgraded to the 3861 Co-Axial, METAS-certified chronometer. This replaces the Calibre 1861, and does so rather well I think, given that the new movement is the latest evolution of the original 321 that was in the watch that Schirra wore to space, whilst keeping it hand-wound, with a decent 50 hours of power reserve, and an anti-magnetic silicon hairspring.The next difference that is pretty noticeable is the blue-grey dial replacing the traditional black affair. This has been done to replicate the colour that some of the watches that were released in the 1960s had, and gives the overall piece a rather subtle point of difference to the rest of the modern Speedmaster range. The colour has been applied via CVD (chemical vapour deposition), and has a wonderful sunray finish underneath it.The stepped dial replaces the flat one from the 2012 model, which gives the piece an added sense of depth and texture as you reach the minute track. The famous alpha hands have stayed, but now have a cookie-like shade of Super-LumiNova applied to each, which matches the hour markers.The crystal is scratch-resistant sapphire, but has been shaped to appear like Hesalite, with a layer of anti-reflective coating on the underside. This is an unexpected detail that goes well with the aluminium bezel that has been used here. Of course, the famous dot-over-90 is there on the tachymeter scale.Finally, the case has seen some subtle tweaks from the 2012 version, with slightly redesigned lugs, but still measuring 39.7mm across. The caseback is also still solid, with the hippocampus rampant in relief, and above it engraved “THE FIRST OMEGA IN SPACE”, and below it “OCTOBER 3, 1962”.There are three different strap options, with a flat-link steel bracelet, and brown or black leather straps, with a US$400 difference between the bracelet and strap choices.Omega Speedmaster Anniversary Series First Omega in Space pricing and availabilityThe Omega Speedmaster First Omega in Space Anniversary Series is available now from Omega.?Price: US$7,500 (leather strap), US$7,900 (bracelet)BrandOmegaModelSpeedmaster Anniversary Series First Omega in SpaceReference310.32.40.50.06.002 (brown leather)310.32.40.50.06.001 (black leather) 310.30.40.50.06.001 (bracelet)Case Dimensions39.7mm (D) x 13.4mm (T) x 48mm (LTL)Case MaterialStainless steelWater Resistance50 metresCrystal(s)Box-domed sapphire frontDialBlue-grey sunburstLug Width19mmBraceletBrown or black leather, steel pin buckleFlat-link steel bracelet, folding claspMovementOmega 3861, Lemania 1873 base, Co-Axial, manual windingPower Reserve50 hoursFunctionsHours, minutes, small seconds, chronographAvailabilityNowPriceUS$7,500 (leather strap)US$7,900 (bracelet)
03.10.24