First introduced in steel in 2012, the Speedmaster “First Omega in Space” is a remake of the watch worn by astronaut Wally Schirra on the Mercury-Atlas 8 mission to space in 1962. Not a Speedmaster Moonwatch strictly speaking, since the mission happened before the Moon landing, but well within the family. The latest edition of the Speedmaster “First Omega in Space” is in 18k Sedna gold, with the dial chapter ring, sub-dials and ceramic bezel insert in dark brown.

A fade-resistant rose gold alloy developed by Omega (and similar to the Everose alloy of Rolex), Sedna gold is used in most of Omega’s priciest watches. Not only is it used for the watch case, but also the hands on the dial, including the hands on the chronograph registers.

The dial only reads “Omega” and “Speedmaster”, just as it did in 1962. “Professional” was only added in 1966, after NASA selected the timepiece as its official wristwatch. The case measures 39.7mm in diameter, with the hand-wound Lemania 1861 movement inside.

Thought numbered sequentially on the case back, the Speedmaster “First Omega in Space” is not a limited edition. It’s also engraved “October 3, 1962” on the back, the date of Schirra’s mission to space. It’s priced at US$18,000 or S$23,300.

Interestingly, Omega also released a tiny 40 piece limited edition in yellow gold with an identical design sporting a black chapter ring and sub-dials for the Japanese market in 1998, though it was a Speedmaster Professional with the lyre-lug case.