OMEGA | SPEEDMASTER APOLLO XI, REF BA 345.0802, YELLOW GOLD CHRONOGRAPH WRISTWATCH WITH BRACELET, CIRCA 1982

The Omega Speedmaster Apollo XI was produced in limited quantities between 1980 and 1988 approximately, paying tribute to the flight qualification which NASA granted once again to the Speedmaster in 1978. 

This collectible timepiece was the first Speedmaster to ever showcase a sapphire-crystal display back, allowing one to inspect the tastefully decorated cal. 861 L. The Apollo XI Speedmaster is furthermore the only variant with a snap-on back, as opposed to the traditional screw-down proposition.

The present example, numbered 265, was manufactured in 1982. It bears the attributes of the first of 2 series, distinguishable thanks to the "SWISS MADE" script being located below the minute track at 6 o'clock. One of approximately 300 examples ever produced, this lot is offered on behalf of the family of the original owner who took great care of it and received it as a gift while he was Minister of Defence. Featuring a sharply preserved case, the watch was serviced by Omega in January 2019 and remains under official warranty until January 2021.