This was the 1st (*steel ) model (20 Years Flight-qualified for Space) equipped with the 863 Copper caliber, the two others (Apollo XI Numbered and Unnumbered) were equipped with a 863 Yellow one. Released in 1985, the 345.0808 was the first Omega reference to be fitted with a see-through sapphire display caseback. As of 1986, a numbered edition of 1000pcs was issued within the serial number range of 48169000 to 48169999. These pieces had a numbered caseback and the same number was also engraved between the lugs. The sapphire caseback displayed a copper movement decorated with Côtes de Genève finishing named 863 (a decorated version of the 861). That numbered edition was also delivered in a specific box (black or white) with a Flight Qualified medaillon on it. To complete my set, I have recently found a scarce 20 Years Flight Qualified for Space book, produced in a similar design like the box and featuring the whole story illustrated with very nice photographs.
Fantastic! So now I am not only searching for the box that is missing, but also a book... Although my watch was sold outside of Germany and came in an ordinary box... But you can always dream
Wow! This piece is handsome! A really hard to find version of the Speedy..still searching for a good one unfortunately! Congrats for the piece and presentation of course! Cheers
It is ! Wish you good luck to find one On my end, I now started my hunt for a full 3450.0809 set in order to complete the 80s trinity
Congrats on finding a perefect birth year speedy. Ive always wanted a moonphase 1985 till I saw this.
Beautiful. Just two days ago I had the opportunity (but narrowly missed) to meet Alan Bean - the lunar module pilot of the Apollo 12 mission, and the 4th man to ever set foot on the moon. My company is doing some work for him, and he was in the office just at the time that I stepped out for about 30 min. My boss said they talked about me and my '74 moonwatch and that he would have loved to check it out. I was ecstatic that they even talked about it. Maybe I'll have another chance if he comes in! Just a few years ago, Bean auctioned off this guy that Omega gifted to him after the end of the Apollo program. The dial is very similar to the one above... https://www.forbes.com/sites/robert...n-bean-of-apollo-12-if-so-hurry/#668bd0864817
Malthus101 has one, without box (or papers) https://omegaforums.net/threads/nice-quality-card-watch-box.62363/#post-804439
Yes, this was the first steel Speedmaster with display back: http://www.moonwatchonly.com/omega-...iews/the-first-steel-model-with-display-back/
Thought it's time to allow this baby some wrist time - haven't worn it for a year - a pleasure to get it back on my wrist. It's one of those watches you'd like to wear upside down to see the beautiful calibre 863
