The Omega Speedmaster series is the absolute legend of the watch world, one of the most popular and universally respected wristwatches of all time.
The Omega Alaska I Prototype Speedmaster
Speedmaster is – no doubt – one of the most exciting collections from Omega, and some vintage examples have broken six-figure figures at auction. While there are a variety of Omega models, some stand out more than others. Most recently, phillips sold a very special range of Omega Speedmaster replica timepieces listed as Lot 36 at the Geneva watch auction today, 10 and 11 November. The watch itself is a prototype for the Alaska I project that references ST 145.014 Speedmaster.
Although none of Alaska I’s prototype swiss fake Omega Speedmaster watches actually landed on the moon, they are still the most visually stunning and historically significant speedmasters ever made. By modifying the multiple readability and durability of the standard Omega Speedmaster moon watch, various prototypes from the Alaska project represent Omega Omega Omega Omega’s extensive (and expensive) efforts to create the ultimate lunar surface chronograph that astronauts can wear in extreme conditions that exist outside the safety of space craft.
The watches for sale were made in 1969, the third and final prototype from the Alaska I program, and delivered to NASA’s Apollo program office in Houston, Texas, in 1970. Unlike the other Alaska one prototypes, which use a large number of rugged titanium cases, this particular luxury copy Omega watch features a stainless steel version of the Omega Mark II style Speedmaster case, making it more practical and traditionally suitable for regular wear and use (assuming the new owner plans to wear it) without a watch at all.
Given that the watch is one of the only prototypes for the “Mark II Speedmaster” in the Alaska one project. Given that it also has documents proving its NASA connection, it’s no surprise that some collectors are willing to pay big money to add cheap Omega replica watches to their collections. To be sure, the pre-sale price estimate for this particular watch is pretty pessimistic; But the final sale price was more than three times its estimated value.