Introducing: The Omega ‘First Omega In Space’ Speedmaster Returns With A New Blue-Grey Dial
What We Know
Around four years ago, Omega discontinued the First Omega in Space (FOis), a model released in 2012 to immortalize the first Omega chronograph worn in space. Now it’s back, and with several relatively subtle updates that make a pretty massive impact.
That original FOiS was the CK2998 (made from 1959 to 1962), worn by NASA astronaut Walter “Wally” Schirra on his Sigma 7 mission. This was Schirra’s personal watch, bought with his own hard-earned money three years before the Speedmaster became the first qualified chronograph for manned space missions. With sleeker Alpha hands and a black bezel, this watch was where the Speedmaster started to settle into more of the design cues that would solidify into what remains a nearly unchanged mainstay of the Omega lineup. It was more straightforward than what we have on modern Speedmasters, featuring straight lugs and a symmetrical case. But it should feel like a familiar design all the same.
The old FOiS, from our Week on the Wrist in 2016.
The new FOiS takes that watch and adds a bit of punch with a new CVD-coated dial in a grey-blue color, replicating the tone of some CK 2998 watches produced in the 1960s. One of these watches popped up on Instagram recently, and people went wild (though, unfortunately, I can’t find it at the moment; hopefully, someone can point me to the account). You can see a blue soliel CK2998 on Omega Forums as well. This new dial features the step design that came back with the 2012 FOiS and has the same logo and markings as the original CK2998. The hands and dial feature a more creamy vintage-inspired lume, unlike the last FOiS that resembled what would have left the factory.
The stainless steel case measures 39.7mm by 13.4mm, with a 48mm lug-to-lug, a 19mm lug width, and 50m of water resistance. It maintains that symmetrical design with straight lugs, though somewhat differently shaped than the recent 321 Speedmaster release. The new watch has a Sapphire crystal, but it’s shaped to look more like a Hesalite crystal, and it has a period-correct Dot-Over-Ninety (DON) aluminum bezel insert. Inside the case is the same Master Chronometer-certified caliber 3861 found in the other Speedmaster Professional models made right now, with a power reserve of 50 hours and Co-Axial escapement. That’s tucked behind a commemorative caseback that says “The First Omega In Space” engraving on the top and “October 3, 1962” on the bottom.
On price, the new FOiS sits somewhere between the other Professional models in the lineup, a little less than a “Sapphire Sandwich” and a little more than a Hesalite Speedy: $7,900. At that price, you get a steel flat link bracelet with the easy-adjust system (it’s a bit less on a strap). It’s not a limited edition but I’m guessing it will be pretty tough to get for at least a few months.
What We Think
I didn’t think anything that any Speedmaster could dethrone my love of the new white lacquer dial Speedy that came out earlier this year – or at least that a new favorite wouldn’t come along so fast. But based on pictures alone, this latest release looks fantastic.
I do remember the impact of seeing that CK2998 with the blue dial recently, and while I wish I could find that photo, this new release gives me the same feeling. I’m of the mindset that the choice of “fauxtina” lume on a watch like this is the right call. I’m a youngun’ in the world of Speedmasters, and I didn’t grow up in the era when a watch like the CK2998 was released, so I never had the pleasure of seeing them fresh out of the factory with white, unaged lume. My frame of reference of what a watch like this should look like has a bit of age and warmth to it, and that warmth plays really well against the blue dial.
This feels like the correct balance of old meets new in a way that is more vibrant and eye-catching for someone like myself who loves the idea of Speedmasters but isn’t deep in the weeds trying to buy a perfect replica of a relatively esoteric (to the general consumer) vintage reference. It will catch the eye of a lot of new buyers while still giving something to the fans who care deeply about the Speedmaster.
The Basics
Brand: Omega
Model: Speedmaster “First Omega in Space”
Reference Number: 310.30.40.50.06.001
Diameter: 39.7mm
Thickness: 13.4mm
Case Material: Stainless steel
Dial Color: CVD-coated blue-grey
Indexes: Printed
Lume: Aged luminous markers and hands
Water Resistance: 50m
Strap/Bracelet: Steel flat-link bracelet with micro-adjust
The Movement
Caliber: 3861
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, chronograph
Power Reserve: 50 hours
Chronometer Certified: METAS Chronometer-certified
Pricing & Availability
Price: $7,900 on bracelet
Availability: Now
Limited Edition: No
For more, click here.
Hodinkee
