Omega have released a watch to commemorate the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project mission, a 35th anniversary limited edition chronograph with only 1975 pieces produced. The Omega Meteorite is an extremely unusual watch, as it contains actual meteorite in its construction.
Omega Speedmaster Apollo-Soyuz 35th Anniversary
The timepiece bears an engraving on the back in both English and Russian, featuring an attractive picture depicting the Apollo and the Soyuz over the Earth. There is a stunning dial cut from a single piece of dark meteorite, adding extra durability and an unusual aesthetic appeal. The subdials are also meteorite, but in a contrasting light grey.
The unique quality of the meteorite means that no dial has the same structure, and as such each timepiece is truly one of a kind. The unusual structure of the meteorite is the result of the extremely high temperatures experienced when entering the Earth’s atmosphere, and then being subjected to a period of cooling. The silvery grey of the subdials denotes the meteorite’s original colouring, and the dark colour of the surface dial is the result of oxidisation on the surface.
The case is made with sapphire crystal as opposed to the more usual Hesalite crystal, which makes the watch slightly heavier. It has a diameter of 43mm, and an impressive water resistance of 50 metres.
Omega have enjoyed a long association with space travel and NASA, having provided watches for the Apollo XI lunar landing crew in 1969, and the Omega Meteorite is no exception. Its timeless quality and associations make it a timepiece worth investing in.