Introduction to the Omega Alaska Project

The formerly secret collaboration between watch manufacturer Omega and NASA, known as the Alaska Project, tells a story that continues to delight more than just die-hard watch fans. The goal of the project: to create a watch that fully meets the demands placed on timepieces by space travel. A goal that was achieved, of all things, based on the Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch, which was listed in the regular catalog. In this article, we describe the background to the Moonwatch Alaska Project and explain its connection to the regularly produced Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional.

The most important things in brief

• Space requirements : The Moonwatch "Alaska Project" watches were developed by Omega together with NASA to withstand extreme temperature fluctuations and the conditions in space.

• Innovative materials : Advanced materials and innovative design features played a central role in the production of the Omega Speedmaster "Alaska Project" prototypes.

• Collector value and exclusivity : Due to the limited production and the special features, the vintage Moonwatch "Alaska Project" models have a high collector value.

Historical background

Contrary to what one might expect, the Omega Speedmaster Professional, now inextricably linked with the nickname "Moonwatch," was not initially intended for use in space. After its development in the 1950s, it was simply included in the Omega catalog, making it available to anyone with the necessary money. It was therefore anything but an official NASA space watch.

Nevertheless, the Omega Speedmaster Professional was on board the Mercury-Atlas 8 mission, specifically on the wrist of astronaut Wally Schirra. He had privately purchased the timepiece without the chronograph having been officially approved for use in space by NASA. The watch was officially accepted into the NASA program in 1964. At that time, reference 105.003 was the current version of the Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch. It passed all NASA tests exactly as listed in the public catalog. An outstanding achievement and a sign that Omega had created something truly magnificent with this steel watch.

It wasn't until 1968 that Omega and NASA began working together. Development of the later reference number 105.012 began. This was the successor to the watch with the reference number 105.003, which was specifically optimized for astronauts but still available to everyone. Just one year after the Alaska Project collaboration began, the Omega Speedmaster Professional reference 105.003 traveled to the moon with Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin during the Apollo 11 mission, thus witnessing the moon landing. It's easy to understand why the Omega Speedmaster Professional is called the "Moonwatch."

The Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch in the context of the Alaska Project

Time to take a closer look at the clock, which is so robust that it was chosen for timekeeping during space missions. Below, we'll walk through the various stages that shaped the Alaska Project:

Alaska Project I

The first prototype, which emerged from the Alaska Project, saw the light of day in 1969. The Ref. 5-003, with its pure white dial and striking orange hands, is visually inspired by the Gemini space capsules. Thanks to its zinc oxide coating and an anodized aluminum casing, it is particularly resistant to sunlight and the enormous temperature fluctuations in space. The titanium case was an absolute novelty in the watch industry at the time and could only be achieved by leveraging known military technology. Inside ticked a Caliber 861 movement.

As already mentioned, however, it wasn't the reference developed in the Alaska Project that was honored to participate in the moon landing. That honor went to the standard Omega Speedmaster Professional, while the Ref. 5-003 never made it beyond prototype status.

Alaska Project II

The Alaska Project I was followed in 1972 by the Alaska Project II. The second prototype bore the reference ST 145.022, featured a minute scale instead of a tachymeter scale, and a slightly smaller steel case. Years later, one of the few steel examples produced changed hands at auction for the equivalent of €145,000. This watch, too, never made it into space, but found its way into the hands of nearly 2,000 lucky watch collectors in the form of a limited reissue in 2008.

Alaska Project III

The Alaska III prototype was developed in 1978 and differed significantly in appearance from its predecessors. Omega now opted for a black dial, arranged the numerals on the totalizers radially, and equipped the timepiece with the 861 hand-wound movement. This steel prototype was actually adopted into NASA's Space Shuttle program and remained in use well into the 1990s.

Alaska Project IV

A textile strap, a digital display, and a quartz movement with a rate deviation of just 5 seconds characterize the prototype model, which completes the group of watches created as part of the Alaska Project. The fourth Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch from the Alaska Project was equipped with tritium gas tubes, which illuminated the display and thus enabled optimal readability without the need for potentially hazardous incandescent bulbs.

Technical innovations and design features

The Omega Alaska Project was not lacking in innovation. As already briefly mentioned, the first Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Alaska Project was not made of stainless steel, but of titanium. This particularly light yet extremely hard material was used for the first time to make the case of a watch – an impressive innovation. Later models were then produced in steel and featured either a steel bracelet or a textile strap.

The red aluminum casing that encased the case of early Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch Alaska Project models can also be considered an innovation. The anodized material was ideal for protecting the watch's movement from high temperatures of almost 130 degrees Celsius and strong sunlight. A particularly practical feature: the casing was removable for both the titanium and stainless steel models. Even though functionality was clearly the primary focus when developing watches for the Alaska Project, the orange-red protective casing became a famous, recognizable visual feature of early Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch watches. Its color echoes the nuance found on the second hand, creating a visual connection between the casing and the dial, and is therefore not at all distracting.

Collectible and market analysis

The Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch Alaska Project watches were each produced in very limited numbers. They are therefore considered rarities among collectors and are extremely valuable, especially in good condition – that is, without serious signs of wear. Depending on the reference, condition, and available accessories, buyers pay €20,000 and more for such a watch on the secondary market. That's assuming, of course, that they're even lucky enough to get their hands on one of the rare Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch Alaska Project watches. The most sought-after are unrestored and therefore authentic vintage models with no damage to the dial, crystal, bezel, crown, etc., which are sold including the original box and all documentation and papers.

As with any watch purchase, buyers should consider a few things when purchasing a Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch from the Alaska Project. The authenticity of the stainless steel or titanium watch in question is paramount. If the watch comes with the original box and papers, that's a good first sign. However, the documents and packaging could potentially be counterfeit. Therefore, it's advisable to consult an expert or purchase exclusively from reputable, trusted retailers like HORANDO . We thoroughly inspect each watch for authenticity before selling it, so our customers don't have to worry about the authenticity of their Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch Alaska Project.

Care and maintenance

An Omega Speedmaster "Alaska Project" naturally requires careful care and attention. Manually wound models require regular winding to prevent them from stopping. Robust titanium or stainless steel cases should also be stored on a soft surface to protect the bezel and case from scratches. Depending on the type of strap used on the Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch Alaska Project, the recommended care varies. Classic metal link bracelets can be polished with a soft cloth and cleaned between the links with a thin cotton swab or brush. Leather straps benefit from the occasional application of a suitable leather conditioner.

To maintain the value of the watch after purchase, it's important, in addition to proper care, to keep the box and certificates safe. Additionally, it's advisable to regularly take the Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch Alaska Project to a specialist for maintenance. For such rare, valuable watches as the Omega Speedmaster "Alaska Project," it's best to choose a watchmaker who is knowledgeable about vintage timepieces and is highly conversant with Omega luxury watches.

Warranty and customer service

HORANDO offers customers a one-year warranty on used vintage watches . Furthermore, buyers have the security of being able to return the Omega Speedmaster "Alaska Project" within 14 days of purchase. Delivery and return shipping are free of charge, meaning the buyer incurs no shipping costs even when returning the watch. Should any problems arise during the purchase or regarding the chronograph, customers can contact our reliable customer service team by phone or email at any time. They are available to provide advice and assistance, helping them achieve 100 percent satisfaction with their "new" Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch Alaska Project.

We may not always have a rarity like the Moonwatch "Alaska Project" in stock. If the item isn't currently listed in our range, interested parties can use the Watchfinder service to let us know they're looking for a suitable offer. We will then contact our international network and, ideally, can quickly offer an Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch Alaska Project of the desired reference at a fair price.

Future projects and outlook

While the Moonwatch "Alaska Project" prototypes largely played no significant role in actual NASA missions, they served as a major inspiration for the watch industry. The Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch, in particular, which, unlike the Moonwatch "Alaska Project" models, did accompany astronauts into space, remains inextricably linked to the Omega Speedmaster "Alaska Project" in history. Every Omega Speedmaster Chronograph commemorates Omega's close collaboration with NASA. Whether there will be further joint projects between the watch manufacturer and NASA in the future remains unclear. One thing is clear, however: Omega timepieces serve well beyond Earth.