Important Watches
Important Watches
Omega
Reference 11003 Speedmaster A stainless steel automatic chronograph wristwatch with day, date and radial dial, Prototype Project Alaska III, Circa 1978
Auction Closed
June 10, 06:06 PM GMT
Estimate
15,000 - 20,000 USD
Lot Details
Description
Reference 11003 Speedmaster
A stainless steel automatic chronograph wristwatch with day, date and radial dial, Prototype Project Alaska III, Circa 1978
Dial: black, 'radial' dial
Caliber: cal. 1045 automatic, 17 jewels
Movement number: 39’205’194
Case: stainless steel, screw down case back
Size: 40 mm diameter
Signed: dial and movement signed Omega
Box: no
Papers: no
Accessories: Omega Extract from the Archives confirming this watch was part of the 'Alaska III' program fitted with experimental 'radial' dials and assembled under the obscure reference 11 003
The present watch is an extremely rare and impressive example of an Alaska III prototype created by Omega for NASA. A new spacecraft, the Space Shuttle, called for retesting of all equipment to be used on board in 1978 and therefore Omega submitted three different watches for qualification. All developments centered on the Space Shuttle qualification were code-named "Alaska III" at Omega. Proposals included the Speedmaster Professional reference ST 145.022, the Speedsonic Reference ST188.002, and the present prototype Speedmaster automatic, also part of the Alaska III project, reference 11 003. All three models were successful and qualified, although the ultimate choice was once again the Speedmaster Professional that in 1978 became qualified for all manned space flights.