Omega Speedmaster CK2998 Tribute Reviewed! Experience a Tribute to The First Omega in Space
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The Omega Speedmaster is standard equipment for NASA professionals, but the Speedmaster hasn’t always been “Professional.” Pre-Moon Speedmasters owned by astronauts “flew” into space long before NASA adopted the Speedmaster Professional 105.012. Today’s show highlights the 2012 anniversary watch known as the “First Omega in Space,” or “FOIS” to Omega watch collectors.
During the NASA Mercury-Atlas program, NASA astronaut Wally Schirra employed his personal Omega Speedmaster CK2998 in the Sigma 7 space craft. On October 3, 1962, this pre-moon Speedmaster became the first Omega watch in space. The 2012 Omega Speedmaster anniversary series is 50th anniversary commemoration of Schirra’s accomplishment and the role Omega timepieces played in the process.
Unlike the standard Speedmaster Professional, the Omega FOIS is modeled after the 39.7mm CK2998, a watch that also lacked the Speedy Pro’s crown guards and lyre-style lugs. The CK2998 case includes squared-off lugs with minimal beveling. Omega also references its vintage chronograph on the dial of the FOIS. Alpha hands are used to display the hours, minutes, and seconds of the day; the chronograph seconds hand does not include Super LumiNova.
Omega deviates from history in its use of modern materials. Super LumiNova rather than tritium allows the dial to be read at night. A sapphire crystal is used in place of the NASA-specified hesalite thermoplastic. And the caseback includes a commemorative dedication recalling Oct. 3, 1962 along with individual numbering for each unit of the Anniversary Series. Although not a limited edition, the individually engraved casebacks led watch collectors to coin the term Speedmaster “numbered series” for this edition. Omega includes a strap and stainless steel bracelet with deployant clasp in the boxed set for this watch.
Internally, the FOIS employs Omega’s long-running Moonwatch caliber 1861. Based on the Lemania 1873 ebauch, caliber 1861 is a manual wind chronograph movement with a 48 hour power reserve, a beat rate of 21,600 vibrations per hour, and 18 ruby pivot jewels. The chronograph operates using a cam selector and lateral clutch. The CK2998 re-edition is water resistant to 50 meters.
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