In 1965, the OMEGA Speedmaster was the only watch to pass the tests of the American space agency NASA.
That was exactly sixty years ago, on March 1, 1965. As part of the development of the American space program, NASA required a watch that was reliable, precise, easy to read, and easy to use for its space missions. The objective: to have a qualified timepiece for all future manned space flights, amidst the race to conquer the moon.
As a government agency, NASA was obliged to issue a formal call for tenders, requesting "RFPs" (Request for Proposal) from watch manufacturers. The U.S. space agency required series models.
OMEGA submitted its Speedmaster model (ST105.003 from 1964), Longines proposed its Wittnauer 235T model and the ....X brand sent its reference 6238.
NASA then tested these chronographs through 11 successive trials, following rigorous criteria specially designed for the occasion by the U.S. space agency. Of the three timepieces tested, only one was awarded the prestigious flight qualification for all NASA manned space missions and extravehicular activities on March 1, 1965: the OMEGA Speedmaster. The new MOONSWATCH 1965 pays tribute to the unique watch and the flight qualification by NASA six decades ago.
