Difference between revisions of "Omega Speedmaster 125"

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[[File:Speedy125.jpg|thumb]]
 
==Omega Speedmaster 125==
 
==Omega Speedmaster 125==
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Special automatic Speedmaster issued in limited numbers with an unique movement.
  
 
The [[Omega Cal 1040|calibre 1040]] was the first self-winding chronograph movement used by Omega and [[Omega Cal 1041|calibre 1041]] was chosen for and only used in a commemorative edition celebrating the company's 125th anniversary. See [[Omega Speedmaster 125]]. Exclusively produced for Omega by [[Lemania]].
 
The [[Omega Cal 1040|calibre 1040]] was the first self-winding chronograph movement used by Omega and [[Omega Cal 1041|calibre 1041]] was chosen for and only used in a commemorative edition celebrating the company's 125th anniversary. See [[Omega Speedmaster 125]]. Exclusively produced for Omega by [[Lemania]].
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
The OMEGA Speedmaster 125, introduced in 1973 to celebrate 125 years since OMEGA’s foundation, was the world’s first chronometer-certified automatic chronograph watch. It was not a revolution but an evolution from the original [[Omega Speedmaster]] of 1957. The [[ST 145.022|Speedmaster Professional reference ST 145.022]] was not seen as the future by OMEGA. They had steadily been new versions of the Speedmaster, starting with the [[Omega Speedmaster Mark II|Mark II]] in 1969, still with [[Omega 861|caliber 861]], and had gone automatic in 1971 with the [[Omega Speedmaster Mark III|Speedmaster Mark III]].
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The OMEGA Speedmaster 125, introduced in 1973 to celebrate 125 years since OMEGA’s foundation, was the world’s first chronometer-certified automatic chronograph watch. It was not a revolution but an evolution from the original [[Omega Speedmaster]] of 1957. The [[Omega Speedmaster Professional ST145.022|Speedmaster Professional reference ST 145.02]]2 was not seen as the future by OMEGA. They had been introducing new versions of the Speedmaster, starting with the Omega Speedmaster Mark II in 1969, still with [[Omega 861|caliber 861]], and had gone automatic in 1971 with the [[Omega Speedmaster Mark III - ST176.002|Omega Speedmaster Mark III]] using the [[Omega Cal 1040|Cal 1040]].
 +
 
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Some watches have codes with letters and numbers stamped on the caseback. Most do not so it not easy to establish total numbers made. The codes appear to start with a single letter - from A to L except J which has not been seen in public.  The initial stories of 2000 made has proved inaccurate.
 +
Observational data reveals that all Speedmaster 125s with an alphanumeric engraving have lower (earlier) serial numbers. Watches with codes on the back all have serials beginning with 35.07x.xxx or 35.59x.xxx, while ones without codes are observed in many other serial batches as high as 40.92x.xxx.
 +
The Speedmaster 125s with alphanumeric codes were produced in the four initial batches of Speedmaster 125s, from June through September of 1973. Over 11000 unnumbered Speedmaster 125s (without codes) were manufactured from 1974 through 1978, well into the era when caliber 1045 supplanted the 1040 as OMEGA’s automatic chronograph caliber of choice and therefore it estimated approx. 17,400 125s were sold.
  
 
==Features==
 
==Features==
* The Speedmaster 125 was special. as seen in the specifications.  
+
[[File:125 components.jpg|thumb]]
* The case - massive, milled single piece of steel, with vertical brushing and highly polished bevels.
+
The Speedmaster 125 was special. as seen in the specifications.  
* The bracelet - specifically made for the Speedmaster 125, is fully integrated into the case, and is much more substantial than other OMEGA bracelets of the era.  
+
* The Case - massive, milled single piece of steel, with vertical brushing and highly polished bevels.
* The dial - Ω logo is applied steel, as are the numerals in 125 and the letters in OMEGA. The letters and numerals are applied individually and not as a single, connected piece.  
+
* The Bracelet - specifically made for the Speedmaster 125, is fully integrated into the case, and is much more substantial than other OMEGA bracelets of the era.  
* The movement - Cal 1041 and not the same caliber 1040 movement as found in the Speedmaster Mark III. The 1041 movement is identical to the 1040 in functionality and finishing, and the movement itself only differs cosmetically on three parts. The differences are in the text stamped on the rotor and bridges. The movements were submitted for and passed chronometer testing. The 1041 movement was never used in another watch.
+
* The Dial - Ω logo is applied steel, as are the numerals in 125 and the letters in OMEGA. The letters and numerals are applied individually and not as a single, connected piece.  
 +
* The Movement - Cal 1041 and not the same caliber 1040 movement as found in the Speedmaster Mark III. The 1041 movement is identical to the 1040 in functionality and finishing, and the movement itself only differs cosmetically on three parts. The differences are in the text stamped on the rotor and bridges. The movements were submitted for and passed chronometer testing.
 +
*The Price - The Speedmaster 125 was $425 at launch in 1973, a near 90% premium over the Omega Speedmaster Professional.
 +
==Dimensions==
 +
* Length: 51 mm
 +
* Width (excl. crown): 42 mm
 +
* Width (incl. crown): 45 mm
 +
* Height (excl. caseback): 9.2 mm
 +
The 1041 movement was never used in another watch.
 +
 
 +
==Other 125 Facts==
 +
 
 +
This watch was also worn in space, where zero gravity must have helped combat the huge size of it! Read here for more on that story
 +
 
 +
[[The Speedmaster 125 and Cosmonaut Vladimir Djanibekov]]
 +
 
 +
For a much more detailed review of this watch see https://speedmaster125.com/
 +
 
 +
==References 176.XXX (Calibre 1040)==
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* "pre-007" - [[Omega Seamaster 176.001|176.001]] (1971)
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* [[Omega Speedmaster Mark III - ST176.002|Speedmaster Mark III]] - 176.002 (1971)
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* "Mark 007" - [[Omega Seamaster 176.002|176.002]] (1971)
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* "Big Blue Sea" - [[Omega Seamaster 176.004|176.004]] (1972)
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* "Big Blue Speed" - [[Omega Speedmaster 176.004|176.004]] (1972)
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* [[OMEGA Seamaster Automatic (1973) ST 176.005|"Rogue Jedi" - 176.005 (1972 - 1976)]]
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* "007" - [[Omega Seamaster 176.007|176.007]] (1972)
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* [[Omega Speedmaster Mark IV - ST176.009|Speedmaster Mark IV - 176.009]] (1973)
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* "Yachting 007" - [[Omega Seamaster 176.010|176.010]] (1973)
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*[[Omega Speedmaster 125|Omega Speedmaster 125 with Cal 1041]]
  
 
==Links==
 
==Links==
*[[Omega]]
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*[[Omega Watch Movements]]
 
 
*[[Switzerland]]
 
*[[Switzerland]]
 
*[[Main Page]]
 
*[[Main Page]]
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*[[Omega Speedmaster]]
 
*[[Omega Speedmaster]]
 
*[[Famous Watches and Their Owners]]
 
*[[Famous Watches and Their Owners]]
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==Further Reading==
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Click below for more information on the Omega Speedmaster.
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*[[Omega Speedmaster]] - 1957-1963 - The Early Years
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*[[Omega Speedmaster 1963-68]] - The Professional arrives
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*[[Omega Speedmaster Professional 1969-1978]] -  Cal 861
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*[[Omega Speedmaster Professional 1979-95]] - The Last of the Tritium dials
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*[[Omega Speedmaster Professional 1996-2020]] - The Modern Models
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*[https://speedmaster125.com/ 125 Website]
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*[https://www.calibre1040.com Cal1040 website]

Latest revision as of 20:26, 20 April 2020

Speedy125.jpg

Omega Speedmaster 125

Special automatic Speedmaster issued in limited numbers with an unique movement.

The calibre 1040 was the first self-winding chronograph movement used by Omega and calibre 1041 was chosen for and only used in a commemorative edition celebrating the company's 125th anniversary. See Omega Speedmaster 125. Exclusively produced for Omega by Lemania.

History

The OMEGA Speedmaster 125, introduced in 1973 to celebrate 125 years since OMEGA’s foundation, was the world’s first chronometer-certified automatic chronograph watch. It was not a revolution but an evolution from the original Omega Speedmaster of 1957. The Speedmaster Professional reference ST 145.022 was not seen as the future by OMEGA. They had been introducing new versions of the Speedmaster, starting with the Omega Speedmaster Mark II in 1969, still with caliber 861, and had gone automatic in 1971 with the Omega Speedmaster Mark III using the Cal 1040.

Some watches have codes with letters and numbers stamped on the caseback. Most do not so it not easy to establish total numbers made. The codes appear to start with a single letter - from A to L except J which has not been seen in public. The initial stories of 2000 made has proved inaccurate. Observational data reveals that all Speedmaster 125s with an alphanumeric engraving have lower (earlier) serial numbers. Watches with codes on the back all have serials beginning with 35.07x.xxx or 35.59x.xxx, while ones without codes are observed in many other serial batches as high as 40.92x.xxx. The Speedmaster 125s with alphanumeric codes were produced in the four initial batches of Speedmaster 125s, from June through September of 1973. Over 11000 unnumbered Speedmaster 125s (without codes) were manufactured from 1974 through 1978, well into the era when caliber 1045 supplanted the 1040 as OMEGA’s automatic chronograph caliber of choice and therefore it estimated approx. 17,400 125s were sold.

Features

125 components.jpg

The Speedmaster 125 was special. as seen in the specifications.

  • The Case - massive, milled single piece of steel, with vertical brushing and highly polished bevels.
  • The Bracelet - specifically made for the Speedmaster 125, is fully integrated into the case, and is much more substantial than other OMEGA bracelets of the era.
  • The Dial - Ω logo is applied steel, as are the numerals in 125 and the letters in OMEGA. The letters and numerals are applied individually and not as a single, connected piece.
  • The Movement - Cal 1041 and not the same caliber 1040 movement as found in the Speedmaster Mark III. The 1041 movement is identical to the 1040 in functionality and finishing, and the movement itself only differs cosmetically on three parts. The differences are in the text stamped on the rotor and bridges. The movements were submitted for and passed chronometer testing.
  • The Price - The Speedmaster 125 was $425 at launch in 1973, a near 90% premium over the Omega Speedmaster Professional.

Dimensions

  • Length: 51 mm
  • Width (excl. crown): 42 mm
  • Width (incl. crown): 45 mm
  • Height (excl. caseback): 9.2 mm
The 1041 movement was never used in another watch.

Other 125 Facts

This watch was also worn in space, where zero gravity must have helped combat the huge size of it! Read here for more on that story

The Speedmaster 125 and Cosmonaut Vladimir Djanibekov

For a much more detailed review of this watch see https://speedmaster125.com/

References 176.XXX (Calibre 1040)

Links

Further Reading

Click below for more information on the Omega Speedmaster.