First Omega in Space: I don’t like chronographs, tool watches or the Speedmaster – not at all.

“You will buy it, you will wear it, and you will love it.”

Nobody has ever seen me wearing a Speedmaster I guess. “Stop talking, too much words, you always talk so much. Simply try it. It is a very good watch.” That’s what I heard from the people around me whenever I have visited an Omega boutique to look at the First Omega in Space time and again – every time, I’d leave the boutique without having bought a Speedmaster. And every time, I’d spend the following week talking non-stop about that very watch. I suppose I must have driven everyone around me absolutely mad with my indecision. And finally, after months and months, I´ve decided to buy this watch.

I like the look of the Speedmaster First in Space on my wrist
I do not know why, but this execution of the Speedmaster looks wonderful. The case has straight lugs, the watch has no protectors for the crown and the chronograph pushers (like all the first References 2915 and 2998). The First Omega in Space re-edition was introduced at Baselworld 2012 as a very vintage inspired Speedmaster with the old (first execution) Speedmaster case (the original watch was worn by the astronaut Walter Schirra in 1962 for the Mercury-Atlas 8 mission). Omega has decided to give this watch an applied Omega logo but a flat black dial (without the usual step).

But I changed one small detail
The stainless steel bezel with the “Tachymetre Base 1.000” looks much better compared to the original black “Tachymetre 500” inlay bezel of the traditional Speedmaster. So, I politely asked the sales assistant and the watchmakers in the Omega Boutique’s workshop whether, as a one-off, I could buy and take home the watch with the stainless steel bezel. Short question – short answer: yes. With the steel bezel this First in Space Omega is the ideal watch for me. I am very happy with this buying decision. But keep in mind: this re-edition has nothing to do with the vibe and feeling of an original reference 2915 or 2998 Speedmaster – it is ´only´ a copy or a modern re-edition, and it does not cost a fortune. I´ve never regretted buying the First in Space Speedmaster.

Yes or No?
If you flip through the following criteria, you might find the answer to the “Is-the-Omega-Speedmaster-First-in-Space-the-right-watch-for-me-Question”:
1 you are ready to try something completely different from a classic dresswatch
2 you might like an alternative to the Daytona
3 you like a hand-wound chronograph in a stainless steel case
4 you are ok with wearing a mainstream (mass product) wristwatch
5 you can wear 39+ mm diameter watches
6 you like an Omega chronograph with a hand-wound movement (no co-axial, no master chronometer)
7 you don’t really mind being asked about a well-known wristwatch and you feel ok with wearing a modern re-edition of a popular execution
8 you feel that one should have an Omega Speedmaster
9 you like an easy to wear and super robust famous Omega chronograph
10 you have a different taste for a special Speedmaster which is not the classic Moonwatch

Pros
– excellent, classic design
– beautiful case
– Alpha style steel hands (mixed with Baton hands for the chronograph indication)

Cons
– massive Seahorse stamped caseback with a logo far too large
– sapphire crystal too thick (not a Hesalite crystal)
– looks much better with a stainless steel bezel

Quality
80

Style
70

Value
60

Wearability
90