Review: Omega’s ‘First in Space’ Speedmaster Is a Vintage Throwback With a Modern Edge

Sometimes a watch tells a story that transcends its mechanical purpose, and few timepieces embody this better than the Omega Speedmaster. While most enthusiasts immediately think of Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin’s moonwalk in 1969, the Speedmaster’s space story actually begins seven years earlier with a different mission entirely.

On October 3rd, 1962, astronaut Walter “Wally” Schirra launched into space aboard the Sigma 7 spacecraft as part of NASA’s Mercury program. Strapped to his wrist wasn’t an officially qualified timepiece — NASA hadn’t even begun testing watches for space flight yet. Instead, Schirra wore his personal Omega Speedmaster CK2998, making it the first Omega to travel beyond Earth’s atmosphere. 

The original CK2998 featured design elements that would distinguish it from the later moon-qualified Speedmasters: a symmetrical case with straight lugs, unprotected crown and pushers, and distinctive Alpha-shaped hands. 

Omega first honored this moment in 2012 with the original “First Omega in Space” tribute, but that watch always felt like it was holding something back. Available only on leather straps and lacking some of the refined details, it always felt like a good watch that could have been great. Fast forward to October 2024, and Omega has returned to Schirra’s story with what might be the most thoughtfully executed Speedmaster release in years — and certainly one of the most hyped.

The new First Omega in Space addresses all of the “issues” with the 2012 version while adding some bold touches to the mix. But has Omega created the perfect vintage-inspired Speedmaster here? Let’s get into it.

Pull the new First Omega in Space from its presentation box, and the first thing that strikes you is how dramatically different it looks from any other modern Speedmaster. The combination of the polished case, flat-link bracelet, and that mesmerizing blue-grey dial creates an aesthetic that feels simultaneously familiar and yet completely fresh.

The dial is the real star here — a CVD-coated surface that shifts from deep charcoal to subtle blue depending on lighting conditions. It’s Omega’s tribute to the rare “soleil” dial CK2998 references from the 1960s. You know, those mysterious prototypes that occasionally surface at auction for astronomical sums. 

We will say, in most lighting, the dial does appear nearly black, but catch it at the right angle and you’re rewarded with flashes of blue that really transform the entire character of the watch.

And this isn’t just a simple color palette swap from the 2012 version. The case proportions feel more authentic, the domed sapphire crystal creates an entirely different visual presence, and that flat-link bracelet transforms how the watch sits on your wrist. 

So there’s no denying that the faux patina lume on the indices and hands will undoubtedly divide opinions. It is applied quite heavily here, creating a warm coffee tone that’s more dramatic than what you’d typically find on naturally aged examples. 

Some will see it as heavy-handed pandering, and others will appreciate how it complements the blue-grey dial and creates visual cohesion. Honestly, there’s no right answer here, but it definitely pushes this watch firmly into the “vintage-inspired” rather than “vintage-accurate” category.

The Alpha hands are beautifully executed with a polished finish that catches light gorgeously, but it’s also worth mentioning that they’re considerably less legible than the white baton hands found on the Professional Moonwatch. In certain lighting conditions, they virtually disappear against the dial.

The 39.7mm case diameter represents a return to the proportions of the original CK2998, though calling it “smaller” than the 42mm Moonwatch Professional oversimplifies the reality of how these watches wear. At 13.4mm thick, it matches the hesalite Professional while sitting 0.2mm thinner than the sapphire sandwich version. The straight lugs actually extend the case to a 48mm lug-to-lug measurement — slightly longer than the Professional’s 47.5mm — which means this isn’t necessarily the “small wrist friendly” Speedmaster that some expected. Check it out here on our wearer’s 6.75” wrist for reference.

What the straight lugs do provide is a more classic, symmetrical aesthetic that feels distinctly different from the crown-guard protected Professional case. The pushers and crown sit completely exposed, just as they did on Schirra’s original watch, giving the FOIS a more vintage silhouette that photographs beautifully but sacrifices some practical protection in doing so.

The case finishing strikes an excellent balance between tool watch functionality and dressy refinement. The watch features predominantly brushed surfaces, while strategic polishing on the lugs adds visual interest. It’s more polished than a typical Professional Moonwatch, which makes it show scratches more readily — something to consider for daily wear.

The aluminum bezel insert maintains the vintage aesthetic with the classic “dot over ninety” detail that Speedmaster purists obsess over.

Perhaps the most buzzed-about aspect here is the domed sapphire crystal. For years, Omega’s sapphire crystals featured that dreaded “milky ring” effect — a visual compromise that made hesalite versions more appealing despite their scratch vulnerability. This new crystal manages to replicate the bubble-like dome of vintage hesalite while maintaining sapphire’s superior durability. 

Water resistance remains at 50m, and the solid caseback features tasteful engravings including the seahorse logo, “THE FIRST OMEGA IN SPACE” text, and “OCTOBER 3, 1962,” maintaining historical accuracy while contributing to the vintage character.

Underneath the domed sapphire crystal, the stepped dial construction features a blue-grey CVD coating that really adds some visual depth to the mix. It was difficult to truly appreciate in photos, and really is one of those “you have to see it in person” effects that makes the watch feel really special on-wrist.

The applied Omega logo at 12 o’clock is executed in period-correct style complete with vintage typography, and that beautiful cursive Speedmaster script below.

The faux patina treatment is back, this time on the indices — but it does add some nice visual warmth that complements the blue-grey backdrop beautifully.

The Alpha hands are where this watch makes its biggest functional compromise. They’re gorgeous to look at — polished surfaces that dance with light — but they’re also significantly harder to read than traditional baton hands. The running seconds hand at 9 o’clock is particularly problematic, often disappearing entirely at certain viewing angles.

The subdials feature subtle concentric circle texturing, while the white chronograph hands provide excellent contrast for timing functions. 

We found the Super-LumiNova application to be adequate but not exceptional — and the hands glow brighter than the indices, creating some imbalance in low-light conditions.

Beneath that elegant caseback beats Omega’s caliber 3861, the latest evolution of the movement that has powered Speedmasters since 2021. The 3861 incorporates Omega’s Co-Axial escapement, which reduces friction and extends service intervals. Combined with the silicon balance spring, the movement offers resistance to magnetic fields up to 15,000 gauss.

What truly sets the 3861 apart is its METAS Master Chronometer certification. Unlike COSC testing, which only evaluates uncased movements in laboratory conditions, METAS testing puts the fully assembled watch through real-world scenarios including magnetic field exposure and accuracy testing across multiple positions. The result is a movement certified to run between 0 and +5 seconds per day under normal wearing conditions — impressive performance for any mechanical chronograph.

The 50-hour power reserve provides excellent practical utility for a manually wound movement. The movement also maintains the traditional 21,600 vibrations per hour frequency while adding hacking seconds for precise time setting.

The flat-link bracelet might be the single biggest improvement over the 2012 First Omega in Space. That original watch’s strap-only availability always felt like a missed opportunity, forcing owners toward aftermarket solutions that never quite captured the intended aesthetic.

This new bracelet changes everything. The three-row flat-link design perfectly complements the straight-lug case architecture. The brushed center links provide subtle contrast against the polished outer links, while the overall construction feels substantial and premium.

The 19mm lug width tapers elegantly to approximately 14.5mm at the clasp. Yes, 19mm is less common than 20mm for aftermarket straps, but most quality manufacturers offer 19mm options, and this bracelet is so well-executed that many owners will likely keep it as their primary choice.

The clasp includes Omega’s comfort adjustment system — about 3mm of tool-free extension. The milled construction and vintage Omega logo add period-appropriate details that complete the aesthetic story.

We found comfort on the wrist to be exceptional, especially during these hot LA summer days. The small links drape naturally over the wrist curve, while the overall weight distribution feels perfectly balanced. 

The polished elements do show fingerprints and scratches more readily, but that’s a minor trade-off for the visual impact.

So, is the Omega Speedmaster “First Omega in Space” worth the hype? Well, that depends on what you’re looking for in a Speedmaster.

On pure execution, Omega absolutely nailed this release. The domed sapphire crystal feels like a real breakthrough, the flat-link bracelet transforms the wearing experience, and the blue-grey dial creates visual interest that makes every other modern Speedmaster feel a bit ordinary by comparison. 

At $8,300, you’re getting cutting-edge movement technology, thoughtful vintage details, and what might be the most compelling Speedmaster aesthetic in years. And, we really do love the improvements Omega made since the 2012 FOIS release.

But this isn’t really about specs and value propositions. The First Omega in Space represents Omega’s vision for how heritage pieces should evolve, and whether that resonates with you will determine how you feel about decisions like those Alpha hands and heavy faux patina.

Because if you value the Speedmaster primarily as a tool watch (something you can read instantly under any conditions) then the Alpha hands and faux anything, really, aren’t going to cut it. And we get it, the legibility issues are real, and no amount of vintage charm changes the fact that sometimes you just can’t see the time clearly.

Recap

Omega Speedmaster “First Omega In Space”

The Omega Speedmaster First Omega in Space transforms the 2012 tribute into a compelling vintage-inspired chronograph, featuring a breakthrough domed sapphire crystal, mesmerizing blue-grey sunburst dial, and flat-link bracelet that honors Walter Schirra’s historic 1962 Mercury flight while incorporating modern METAS-certified movement technology.

Pros

• Breakthrough domed sapphire crystal
• Stunning blue-grey sunburst dial
• Flat-link bracelet transforms wearability
• METAS certified 3861 movement
• Genuine historical significance
• $100 less than sapphire Professional
• Exceptional build quality

Cons

• Alpha hands hurt legibility
• Heavy faux patina polarizing
• 19mm lug width limits straps
• 48mm lug-to-lug longer than Pro
• Shows scratches easily
• Only 50m water resistance
• Closed caseback hides movement

Learn More: Omega