Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch 145.012-68 Vintage 1968

1968 Omega Speedmaster 145.012 with Cal. 321, original step dial with pumpkin patina, DON bezel insert, flat link bracelet, and recent service

Omega Speedmaster

Omega is a Swiss watchmaker with a history going back to 1848. The brand sits in the upper tier of mainstream Swiss watchmaking, known for producing movements and watches that hold up well over time. Omega has supplied watches to NASA, militaries, and professional divers over the decades, which gives the brand a practical, tool-watch credibility that goes beyond marketing. The Speedmaster in particular earned a reputation that most watches simply never get close to.

The Speedmaster has been in continuous production since 1957, originally designed as a racing chronograph and later adopted by NASA for use in space missions, including the Apollo program. That history is well documented and genuinely earned. The reference 145.012 is part of the professional line from the late 1960s and is one of the more desirable references among collectors, largely because of its movement. The caliber 321 is a column wheel chronograph movement based on the Lemania 2310, and it was used in the Speedmaster through the early 1970s before being replaced by the caliber 861. The 321 is considered the more collectible of the two, with a smoother chronograph action and stronger historical association with the Apollo missions.

For collectors, the 145.012 with a 321 movement represents one of the cleaner entry points into vintage Speedmaster collecting. The case and dial design are classic and well proportioned, and the watches from this era tend to age in a way that many collectors find appealing. Parts availability and service support for the 321 have improved in recent years as interest in this reference has grown. These are watches that hold value reasonably well and are actively sought on the secondary market.

Key Details To Consider

This Omega Speedmaster Professional 145.012-68 is a solid example of one of the most collectible references in the Speedmaster lineup, and it presents in genuinely good overall condition for its age.

The steel case shows well-preserved lugs and edges with good definition, suggesting it may have seen a light polish at some point but has retained its proportions nicely. The original black step dial is in excellent shape, with an even pumpkin-colored patina across all the indices and matching hands, which is exactly what you want to see on a piece of this vintage. The lume still responds under UV light as it should. The plexi crystal is original and in very good condition, with only some light surface marks consistent with normal use. The DON (dot over 90) bezel insert is period correct and in excellent condition with minimal wear.

The flat link bracelet is a highlight here. It is original, period correct, and in excellent condition with virtually no stretch. The clasp is stamped 68, matching the watch's production period, and the bracelet fits a wrist of approximately 7.75 inches (19.5 cm).

Under the case sits the caliber 321, the column wheel chronograph movement that makes references like this one particularly sought after among collectors. It was serviced about a year ago and is running well with an amplitude above 300. The chronograph engages and resets smoothly, as expected from a properly functioning column wheel mechanism. This is an honest, all-original example that wears and runs the way it should.

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