Omega Speedmaster 145.012

The Omega Speedmaster 145.012 was released in 2 sub references. (145.012-67 circa 1967 and 145.012-68 circa 1968) The Speedmaster Ref. 145.012 is a 42 mm stainless steel chronograph featuring the iconic black step dial and acrylic Hesalite crystal. It was the last Speedmaster to use the original hand-wound Caliber 321 movement. Omega produced the 145.012 beginning in 1967; it was offered in two nearly identical sub-variants (145.012-67 and 145.012-68) before being phased out by early 1969. This model is historically significant as part of the “Moonwatch” lineage used by NASA in the Apollo era.

Production Period

• Years of Manufacture: Circa 1967 through early 1969. (Intro in 1967; last shipments into 1969.) It succeeded the ref. 105.012 and preceded the 145.022 series.
• Variants: Two suffix codes, 145.012-67 and 145.012-68, correspond to production years. These are essentially identical in design. Recorded serial numbers run roughly from about 2,406,000 through 2,7xx,xxx.
• Transitional Note: The 145.012 was replaced in 1968 by the ref. 145.022-68, which introduced the new Caliber 861 movement. Thus 145.012 represents the final 321-powered Speedmaster before that transition.

Historical Significance

• Moonwatch Lineage: The 145.012 is regarded as the culmination of the original NASA-approved Speedmasters. It retained the same Caliber 321 (Lemania-based) movement that had earned Speedmasters flight qualification. While Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin famously walked on the Moon wearing ref. 105.012 models, Apollo 11 astronaut Michael Collins wore a Speedmaster 145.012. Crews on later Apollo missions (e.g. Apollo 14’s Alan Shepard and Edgar Mitchell) also used 145.012 watches on EVA, reinforcing its “Moonwatch” credentials. (Those wristwatches are now in museum collections.)
• Collector Value: The 145.012 had the largest production run (~27–28,000 units) of any Speedmaster with Caliber 321. This makes it more common on today’s vintage market than earlier 321 models. It was long considered the “entry-level” 321 Speedmaster, though rising demand has increased its value. Its launch roughly coincided with the peak of the Space Race, adding to its allure. (Modern re-issues are outside the scope here.)

Case Construction and Materials

• Material: Stainless steel (Omega code “ST” for steel). No gold or plated versions were offered in the 145.012’s original era.
• Case Size: 42 mm diameter, typical for Speedmaster Professionals.
• Design: Asymmetrical “lyre” lugs (also called twisted lugs), 20 mm strap width. The lugs are drilled for spring bars. The case is relatively thick, with a flat steel caseback.
• Bezel: Black aluminum tachymeter insert (“BASE 500”) with the hallmark “Dot Over 90” marking. This represents the pre-1970 bezel style where the dot of the 90 tachymeter numeral sits above the 90. The “Step” in the bezel is smooth (not the later DON style).
• Crystal: Domed hesalite (acrylic) crystal, signed with the tiny Omega logo on the underside (typical of Speedmaster Pre-Professional models). No sapphire crystal was used in the original production.
• Caseback: Solid screw-down steel back in a single-step design (a small recessed center area). It is engraved on the outside with “Speedmaster” (often over the Seahorse/Hippocampus emblem) and model/serial marks inside. (Notably, the prior ref. 105.012 had a two-step back; the 145.012’s one-step back is a key difference.).

Dial Variations

• Standard Dial: Matte black, stepped (raised center) dial. All factory 145.012 dials have an applied metal Omega logo at 12 o’clock and printed text “Speedmaster Professional” beneath it (often abbreviated “Speedmaster Pro”). Tritium luminous round baton hour markers (white initially, patinating to cream/yellow). Printed minute and sub-dial tracks. The words “Swiss Made” flanked by T’s (indicating tritium) appear at 6 o’clock. Most authentic examples have the “Swiss Made T” marking with the Ts widely spaced on either side of the text.
• Printed vs Applied Logo: Genuine 145.012 dials use a metal appliqué Omega logo. A printed logo or missing “Professional” is not correct for this reference. Any 145.012 found with a printed Omega or lacking “Professional” was likely fitted with the wrong dial later. All original dials carry the “Professional” inscription.
• Close-T Dials: A few rare 145.012 dials exist with the two T’s very close together (“Close T”), a style more common on early 1960s models. These are unusual for this late-’60s ref but have been observed. Collectors regard them as atypical variants.
• Tropical (Brown) Dials: Some original 145.012 black dials have naturally aged to a uniform brown (“tropicalized”) color. This is not a factory option but a result of vintage lume patina or pigment aging. Tropical dials are sought-after by collectors. Note: brown coloring should be even and the result of aging; artificially restored dials (like reluming) are not desirable.
• Black Racing Dial: A very rare special version of 145.012 had a black “racing” dial with contrasting sub-dials or accents (the layout is unique, with black subdial rings) and bright red chronograph hands. Only a handful of these were made. They feature short subdial hands (to fit the recessed subdial rings) and an applied metal logo. This variant commands a high price at auction.
• Sub-dial Colors/Hands: Standard 145.012 dials have three black sub-dials with thin white printing. The small running seconds and chronograph counters all use plain stick-style hands (no lume). On the black racing dial variant, the hour/min hands remain white lumed batons, but the chronograph hands (central second or subdial) are red.
• Ultraman Edition: Although the dial itself remains standard black, the “Ultraman” is a notable special variation distinguished by its orange chronograph seconds hand (and often an orange sub-dial hand or accents). Produced in very limited quantities for the Japanese market around 1968 (inspired by the Ultraman TV show), this version had an unusually long orange seconds hand. Omega archive extracts confirm these few watches as authentic. (All other 145.012s have a white chrono hand except this variant.)

Movements (Calibers)

• Caliber 321: All 145.012 watches are powered by the hand-wound Omega Caliber 321 (based on Lemania 2310). This column-wheel, cam-switched chronograph movement runs at 18,000 vph and has about a 48-hour power reserve. It carries 17 jewels.
• Final 321 Reference: The 145.012 was the last Speedmaster to use Cal. 321. Starting in 1968–69 (with the 145.022 reference), Omega replaced it with the simpler Caliber 861. Thus the 145.012 represents the end of the classic 321 era.
• Characteristics: Cal. 321 is hand-decorated and signed “Omega Watch Co” on the chronograph bridge. It is a highly regarded vintage movement known for smooth action and historically flight-qualified performance. Maintenance today requires specialist service due to its age and rarity.

Hands

• Hour & Minute: Broad flat baton hands, painted white, with rectangular tritium-filled tips. These are sometimes called “alpha” or “straight” baton hands (they have slightly pointed tips but are generally wide). The lume in these ages to off-white/cream.
• Chronograph Seconds: A thin “spear” or needle hand. In period-appropriate watches this central seconds hand is white (or red on the racing model) and has a small arrow/teardrop counterweight. 145.012 examples have been found with two authentic spear hand styles: one with a teardrop (pointed) tail and one with a straight squared-off tail. Both types were fitted by Omega on different production batches. Either style is acceptable as original.
• Sub-dial Hands: All sub-dials (30-minute, 12-hour counters and running seconds) use slim straight white-painted stick hands. These carry no luminous paint. On the racing-dial variant, the subdial counters may have shorter red hands to match the design. On the Ultraman variant, only the central chrono seconds hand is orange.
• Not Luminous: Unlike some early Speedmasters, the 145.012’s chronograph and subdial hands have no lume. (The hour/minute hands do.) A fully lumed chronograph hand is incorrect for this ref.
• Condition Note: Original hands used Tritium paint, so unmolested examples exhibit a warm patina. Bright white or greenish hands typically indicate replacements or relumes (common servicing practice).

Caseback and Bracelets

• Caseback Detail: The original 145.012 has a solid steel screw-down back (single-step). The outside is engraved “Speedmaster” around the perimeter and usually features the Hippocampus (seahorse) logo in the center (the classic emblem introduced on Speedies in the mid-1960s). The inner side is stamped with reference and serial numbers. No “Professional” label is engraved here (that is only on the dial). No special commemorative engravings were issued on these casebacks during the 1960s production run.
• Bracelet (OEM): The factory bracelet for this model was the Omega 1039 flat-link stainless steel bracelet. It typically had 17.5 mm width at the clasp tapering to 20 mm at the lugs, and most sets used straight end links (cal. 812). The curved end-link version (1116) was also available to match the lug contour. Period-correct 1039 bracelets are stamped with date codes (late 1960s). Any 1039 bracelet dated 1968 or 1969 is appropriate; some collectors note that even a 1967-dated 1039 can occasionally be found on early 145.012s.
• Other Straps: Omega offered leather straps or NATO-style straps as alternatives. It was also common for watches to be sold without a bracelet, fitted instead on aftermarket leather or velcro straps (especially for spaceflights). Today, many 145.012s in collections have correct vintage Omega leather straps or replacement 1039 bracelets.
• No Mesh or Gold: The 145.012 was never sold with the thinner mesh (Milanese) bracelets nor in any gold/plated material. Any such configuration is aftermarket or from a different model.

Special Editions & Notable Variants

• “Ultraman” (Orange Hand): As mentioned, a very limited Japanese-market version had a long bright orange central chronograph second hand. The dial is otherwise standard black. This variant (nicknamed “Ultraman”) is now legendary among collectors. Omega archives confirm only a small run of 145.012s were delivered this way, likely around 1968. Authentic examples can be verified by the distinct long orange hand (which has a unique length compared to off-the-shelf Omega orange hands).
• Black Racing Dial: A few 145.012s were fitted with a unique black “racing” dial (notably seen on a Phillips auction piece). These have black subdial rings and bright red hands, with an applied logo and “Professional” text. The configuration of subdial indentations is slightly different, requiring shorter subdial hands. These are extraordinarily rare (only around a dozen known) and often change hands at very high prices (>$80,000).
• Tropical (Brown) Dials: While not a factory-issued color, some original 145.012 dials have aged uniformly to a rich brown. Collectors refer to these as “tropical” dials. They appear in the market infrequently and, when fully brown from even fading, command a premium. (Beware of unnatural recoloring; genuine tropicals have an even chocolate tone.)
• Close-T Dials: A very small number of 145.012s were assembled with dials bearing the tightly-spaced “T Swiss Made T” marking (a relic of earlier designs). These close-T dials are extremely uncommon in this reference and sometimes raise questions about originality; however, there is evidence they do occur from late-1960s production.
• Collectors’ Museum Pieces: Some notable 145.012 watches have entered museums. For example, author Ralph Ellison’s personal 145.012 (now in the Omega Museum) and the Apollo-astronaut pieces at the Smithsonian highlight the model’s heritage.
• Caseback Variants: The only non-standard caseback seen on a 145.012 is on certain museum displays: an exhibition (display) back replacing the solid back, often used in exhibitions (e.g. at the Omega Museum). No exhibition or Plexiglas backs were sold to the public in the 1960s.