About the Watch

This streamlined Speedmaster Mark II signalled the first redesign of OMEGA’s popular chronograph. Created in 1969, it extended the Speedmaster line with a brand new look and was available in stainless steel, 18K gold, or gold-capped versions with various dial and timing scale combinations. The MARK II, with its barrel shaped case and enhanced readability, was also the first Speedmaster that did not use hesalite crystal. First used in 1968, the calibre 861 was the second movement introduced into the Speedmaster. Compared to the previous calibre 321, it had a simpler structure. Several updates were achieved through modifications including a flat balance-spring and a shuttle cam instead of a column-wheel, a change that provided greater consistency and a lower production cost. The balance frequency was raised to 21,600 v/h to improve precision and, from the early 1970s, the steel chronograph brake was replaced by a brake in Delrin®, a low-friction polymer that improved the movement’s longevity.

About the Brand

Omega has constantly been defined by its pioneering spirit, demonstrated by its conquests of the oceans as well as space. Since 1965, the Omega Speedmaster has been worn on each of NASA's piloted missions including all six moon landings and many of history’s greatest explorations beyond Earth. Omega also has served as the Official Timekeeper of the Olympic Games since 1932. In watchmaking, Omega’s history has been dedicated to a quest for perfection. This legacy continued in 1999 with the launch of the revolutionary Co-Axial escapement and, in 2015, with the world’s first Master Chronometer. Due to being approved by the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology (METAS), watches with the designation Master Chronometer can withstand a pressure of up to 15'000 Gauss.