OMEGA and the 55th anniversary of the first moon landing
Do you know why NASA chose OMEGA watches for its mission?
55 years ago, the astronauts of Apollo 11 took humanity's first bold steps on the surface of the moon. It was a moment that forever changed history and the limits of human possibility. It was at this famous moment that the OMEGA Speedmaster Professional became the first watch to appear on the moon, creating the iconic legacy of this chronometer in human history.
On this special occasion, OMEGA commemorates this incredible mission and the unique journey that the "Moonwatch" took before reaching the surface of the Moon.
It all began in 1962, when NASA experts began officially searching for watches they could rely on during manned space flights. Deke Slayton, Director of Space Crew Operations, requested wristwatches with chronographs from various manufacturers around the world. Several well-known watch companies, including OMEGA, subjected their watches to rigorous testing—heat, shock, vibration, and vacuum tests. Only the OMEGA Speedmaster survived all the tests and was declared "suitable for all manned space missions" on March 1, 1965.
From that moment on, OMEGA was the sole supplier of watches for the entire NASA manned spaceflight program. Astronauts trusted OMEGA watches in the Mercury, Gemini, and, of course, Apollo programs, which had its sights set on landing on the Moon.
In July 1969, the eyes of the world were on Apollo 11, and every piece of equipment and technology had to be absolutely reliable. There was no room for error or mistake. That is why it is a great honor for Omega to look back with pride and realize that Omega watches earned the trust of everyone involved.
Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first humans to walk on the moon on July 21, 1969, at 02:56 UTC. Their lunar walk lasted only two and a half hours, but what they accomplished left a lasting mark on the history of space exploration.
Fifty-five years later, OMEGA is still incredibly proud to have timed the most famous watch in human history and to have been part of this pioneering story.
See the complete Omega Moonwatch Professional range in our e-shop:
