Pre-Owned Omega by Analog Shift Speedmaster Mark II 'Racing' 40960063/AS05384

Why We Love It

After becoming The First Watch Worn On The Moon in 1969, Omega’s Speedmaster collection expanded to include a variety of new models in the 1970s. This all began with the Speedmaster Mark II.

Mark II Speedmasters were the first radical departure from the traditional Speedmaster case — instead of the traditional exposed lug design, the Mark II featured a tonneau/cushion shape with hidden lugs, giving it a great profile and a distinctive look. There were two dials offered on the Mark II: a traditional triple-register black dial that was virtually identical to that of the original Professional, and a grey dial with a colorful outer track known to collectors as an “exotic” or “racing” dial. The latter — and the watch we have here — weren't initially as popular and most of the distribution was outside of the United States. Today, however, they’re increasingly coveted for their combination of colorful looks, workhorse movement and robust case design.

Like all Mark II models, this particular example, a Reference 145.014, is powered by the Calibre .861 manual-winding chronograph movement used in Speedmaster Professional models between 1968 and 2021. It features a 41mm tonneau-shaped case, a beautiful “exotic” dial with red and orange accents against a matte grey background, a mineral crystal and a signed, steel multi-link Omega bracelet with signed clasp. Both the case and the bracelet are in outstanding condition considering their age, to say nothing of the dial — for a 50-year old watch, it looks like it was born yesterday.

All in all, this is a beautiful example of one of the most fun Speedmaster variants ever produced!

The Omega Story 

The story of Omega is one that captivates generations of horological devotees. The second-largest watchmaker in the world in terms of annual turnover, the Bienne-based firm has been continuously producing watches since 1848, which it does today under the auspices of the Swatch Group.

Founded in La-Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland as La Generale Watch Co, Omega was well ahead of the horological curve from the beginning, developing the first minute-repeating wristwatch in 1892 as well as the eponymous “Omega” caliber in 1894. This 19-ligne movement was revolutionary in that its parts could be replaced by any watchmaker in the world without modification, while its winding and time-setting via the crown provided an industry standard.

Omega became the timepiece supplier of choice for the British Royal Flying Corps in 1917, while the Americans followed suit in 1918, choosing their watches for the U.S. Army. Awards for precision chronometry became almost commonplace, while 1932 saw them become the first watch brand to time an entire Olympic Games. Their Marine, which debuted the same year, is regarded as the first commercially available diver’s watch.

During the Second World War, Omega supplied well over 100,000 timepieces to British forces, making it the largest watch supplier to the British and her allies. These watches, from the unique 6B/159 to the famed “Dirty Dozen” W.W.W, remain highly collectible today. 

1948 saw the launch of the original Seamaster: Built upon the tool watch legacy of the brand’s timepieces from the War, it’s since become a byword for reliability and legibility, both as a dress watch and, more recently, as a serious diver’s tool. The Speedmaster, released in 1957 and originally marketed for the auto-racing market, first rocketed to space on the wrist of American astronaut Wally Schirra in 1962. However, it became a household name when, in 1969, it accompanied Buzz Aldrin on the Moon, and later helped save the space-stranded crew of Apollo 13 in 1970 by timing a critical rocket burn. 

Today, Omega’s watches — all of which feature in-house movements — run the gamut from svelte dress pieces to the venerable Speedmaster in all its guises. Providing an unquestionable value proposition, Omega is a brand that deserves to be at the center of every serious watch lover’s collection.