OMEGA Speedmaster Reference 145.022-69 BA in 18K YG

OMEGA introduced the Speedmaster in 1957, initially created for drivers in automotive racing needing to time their laps. However, the Speedmaster would reach eternal iconic status by eventually being qualified for spaceflight by NASA after an intense testing of several of the highest-grade chronographs of the 1960s. NASA selected the Speedmaster as the exclusive watch for use by its astronauts.

The OMEGA Speedmaster reference 145.022-69 BA was the first OMEGA Speedmaster to be produced in 18k yellow gold.

Only 30 examples were produced in total for astronauts and two were produced for President Nixon and Vice President Agnew. The next examples were given to Astronauts and are considered by many to be the grail OMEGA Speedmasters. On October 20, 2022, Wally Schirra’s personal OMEGA Speedmaster Professional BA 145.022 was sold for $1,906,954. This example is one that was sold to the public. The 18K yellow-gold case is in has been lightly polshed. The dial is fantastic and the bezel remains in good condition. The watch is powered by the caliber 861. The bracelet is long and should fit a wrist approximately 7.1 inches. Finding an example with a long bracelet is incredibly difficult. For those looking for an epic gold Speedmaster, these are amazing watches.

To learn more about the OMEGA Speedmaster, you can watch my ‘Reference Points: Understanding The Entire Lineage Of The OMEGA Speedmaster’ video and read the corresponding article.

The watch does not come with box and papers. We do now know the service history, but it is running well.

PIRCE: $45,000 (SBUXYT5205)