The history of the Speedmasters goes back to 1957 when it was introduced as a sports and racing chronograph. 
 
However, the watch would soon be known as the ‘first watch worn on the moon’. With the aim of equipping astronauts with the most suitable timepieces, as a preparation for the first moon landing NASA performed selection tests featuring a: high temperature-, low temperature-, vacuum-, humidity-, corrosion-, shock-resistance-, acceleration-, low pressure-, high pressure-, vibration- as well as a sound test. On July 20th, 1969, the Apollo XI Lunar Module then put the two astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin on the surface of the Moon. The next day, Armstrong was the first human to set foot on the Moon and famously said “That's one small step for man. One giant leap for mankind.” Not much later, Buzz Aldrin followed him, wearing the Omega Speedmaster Professional, which since then is famously nicknamed the “Moonwatch”.
 
Ever since, the Speedmaster Professional is one of the most well-known watches of Omega. Omega sticks with its winning formula as the contemporary look makes it difficult to distinguish between modern and vintage pieces, it's left to some subtle differences. Now this is what we call a “truly timeless icon”!
 
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In 1989, Omega celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Apollo XI mission with the Ref 145.0022. This Omega Speedmaster 20th Anniversary Apollo XI Ref 145.0022 is one of the 4000 pieces produced for the international market. The 145.0022 features a Plexiglas crystal and tritium lume.
 
To mark the 20th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, Omega introduced three distinct steel series:
 
- A numbered series of 2,000 watches for the USA: Interestingly, the engraving for the USA version reads type xxxx/2000 for the first 1,000 or so pieces, and type xxxx/2000 APOLLO XI 1969 for the remaining ones.
- A numbered series of 250 watches for Germany: The German models were marked on the case ring as xxx/250 APOLLO XI 1969-1989 and were supplied to retailers without a bracelet.
- A limited series of 4,000 watches for the rest of the world
 
These models are identical to the standard version, with the only difference being the engraving on the case band.
 
The certificate of origin bears an individual number but does not indicate the total quantity produced.
 
This series was fitted with the rare 1450/808 bracelet with half-round links, except for the later USA models, which were fitted with a 1479/812 bracelet.