The Ultimate Guide To The 1969 Omega Speedmaster Apollo 11 Gold BA145.022

Robert-Jan · Nov 30, 2021

Omega-Speedmaster-Apollo-11-BA145.022-Nixon.001.jpg

This article is all about the gold Omega Speedmaster Professional Apollo 11, reference BA145.022-69. The gold commemorative watch was presented to all the active NASA astronauts in 1969, to the US President and Vice President, as well as to some other officials. It also became available to the public, with a slightly different inscription on […]

Visit The Ultimate Guide To The 1969 Omega Speedmaster Apollo 11 Gold BA145.022 to read the full article.

hansmaulwurf · Nov 30, 2021

Thanks for that nice article,

always great to read about the true Original 🙄

BR
Hans

pdxleaf · Nov 30, 2021

Thanks for the article. In spite of the watch being well-known, i learned something new, particularly about the various backs.

You gave us a flavor of the astronauts reactions to receiving these watches, which must have been pleasure as they put them on immediately. There was no silly debate about gold not being a good material for a tool watch. Nor did they store them away in a closet; straight to the wrist!

Does anyone know how the astronauts were able to keep their watches? Civilian and military federal employees are under the same laws about accepting gifts as were Nixon and Agnew. It's great that they were allowed to keep their watches but I haven't understood how they got around the law. NASA was (and still is) particular about gifts.

I agree on the value. While it is still alot of money, considering what people pay for a gray market Daytona or other watches, this a a relative deal.

Thanks again. Love Tuesdays!

M'Bob · Nov 30, 2021

Robert, what would you speculate the price difference would be between watches with the less common “Conquest” back and the model with the more common back inscription?

montbeck · Oct 1, 2025

First time I read the article. Thank you RJ, much appreciated

hansmaulwurf · Oct 1, 2025

Happy to be now one of 1014 (-2) owners of an original BA145.022 😎 I read this article a hundret times before ... and dreamed 👍

SpeedyPhill · Oct 2, 2025

Well, in summary we know that 1014 of these Omega Speedmaster 145.022-69 were made of which 36 went to NASA astronauts.
Of these 36, we know 2 were unnumbered and 3 were awarded posthumously to the Apollo 1 astronauts.
Of the 33 given to astronauts alive at that time, 24 astronauts have worn the Gold Speedmaster afterwards, but 2 astronauts never did !
I'm just missing photographs of 7 astronauts wearing the watch afterwards, but 24 is thus far my confirmed number spotted in photos.
Anno 2025, at least 10 have been auctioned, with the most recent being David Scott's n° 16 which was not Sold !
.

hansmaulwurf · Oct 23, 2025

Hi @Robert-Jan,
Hi OF

have you ever seen this 'German Certifikat' of a BA145.022?
Interestingly it says this is a limited run of 500 Speedmaster 18k Gold...
(The no. of my watch is 3xx)

... maybe this was right at that time and they decided to 'double' the production later?

BR
Hans

Ron_W · Oct 23, 2025

hansmaulwurf
Happy to be now one of 1014 (-2) owners of an original BA145.022 😎 I read this article a hundret times before ... and dreamed 👍

Awesome catch !! happy wrist time ahead for you 😀

SpeedyPhill · Oct 24, 2025

pdxleaf
Thanks for the article. In spite of the watch being well-known, i learned something new, particularly about the various backs.

You gave us a flavor of the astronauts reactions to receiving these watches, which must have been pleasure as they put them on immediately. There was no silly debate about gold not being a good material for a tool watch. Nor did they store them away in a closet; straight to the wrist!

Does anyone know how the astronauts were able to keep their watches? Civilian and military federal employees are under the same laws about accepting gifts as were Nixon and Agnew. It's great that they were allowed to keep their watches but I haven't understood how they got around the law. NASA was (and still is) particular about gifts.

I agree on the value. While it is still alot of money, considering what people pay for a gray market Daytona or other watches, this a a relative deal.

Thanks again. Love Tuesdays!

.
Well, we know of two NASA astronauts who never wore their Gold Apollo 11 tribute Speedmaster, and thus far we also know at least two of these Gold BA 145.022-69 had a minor typo on the caseback ( #7 Cooper and #20 Gordon) 😉

Alex Cheers · Oct 24, 2025

hansmaulwurf
Hi @Robert-Jan,
Hi OF

have you ever seen this 'German Certifikat' of a BA145.022?
Interestingly it says this is a limited run of 500 Speedmaster 18k Gold...
(The no. of my watch is 3xx)

... maybe this was right at that time and they decided to 'double' the production later?

BR
Hans

No numbers mentioned in this internal information

Auto translation:

Reproduction of the model worn by the astronauts during the moon landing.

These numbered commemorative watches, produced in a limited number, will be engraved with the following:

The gold Speedmasters are expected to be highly sought-after collector's items, and we will therefore include a special case with each watch. Deliveries will take place between the end of November and the beginning of 1970.

Judging by the initial comments, this model will be an extraordinary success. We therefore request that you start promoting this model immediately and send us your orders as soon as possible, as, as already mentioned, we have only produced a small series to preserve the exclusive character of the Speedmaster in gold.

We would also like to draw your attention to the fact that we have Ektachrome copies of this model available for advertisements and window displays.

Gross price: CHF 3,917 (including surcharge for gold).

hansmaulwurf · Oct 24, 2025

Alex Cheers
No numbers mentioned in this internal information

Auto translation:

Reproduction of the model worn by the astronauts during the moon landing.

These numbered commemorative watches, produced in a limited number, will be engraved with the following:

The gold Speedmasters are expected to be highly sought-after collector's items, and we will therefore include a special case with each watch. Deliveries will take place between the end of November and the beginning of 1970.

Judging by the initial comments, this model will be an extraordinary success. We therefore request that you start promoting this model immediately and send us your orders as soon as possible, as, as already mentioned, we have only produced a small series to preserve the exclusive character of the Speedmaster in gold.

We would also like to draw your attention to the fact that we have Ektachrome copies of this model available for advertisements and window displays.

Gross price: CHF 3,917 (including surcharge for gold).

Thank you, I love great to see these unusual information coming together here 😎

BR
Hans