Omega Speedmaster Professional open caseback

While the Speedmaster was originally introduced in 1957 as a racing watch, it wasn't until 1969 when the hand-wound chronograph accompanied the crew of Apollo 11 onto the surface of the Moon that it received the legendary status that it holds today. Two known Speedmaster references were worn by the crew of Apollo 11, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin wore a 105.012, while Michael Collins wore the later 145.012. One of the closest modern references to either of these models is this watch right here, the ref. 3572.50.00.

This discontinued model is similar to the ‘standard’ Moonwatch model reference 3570.50 but with a sapphire case back. In the current Omega collection we still find a Speedy Pro with a sapphire case back, but it also has the sapphire front crystal. This reference 3572.50 has the Hesalite crystal on top, the sapphire crystal on the back.

Produced alongside the solid-caseback ref. 3570.50.00 through the 2000s, this Moonwatch at its launch was effectively identical to the watch worn by the Apollo 11 crew other than a few small details such as the luminescent material used in the hands and hour markers (Luminova rather than tritium), exhibition as compared to solid caseback, and the exact movement, which is caliber 1863, a modern version of the original 861 movement (itself an update to the legendary 321 caliber) that uses 18 jewels rather than 17 and is rhodium plated.
Omega’s caliber 1863 movement was the successor of the caliber 863 movement. The caliber 863 was based on Lemania’s caliber 1873 and was used by Omega till 1996. The caliber 1863 has a different finish (rhodium) than the 863 and there has been a slight modification to its construction as well (1 added jewel). As you can see on the highly detailed photos above, it is a stunning hand-wound movement!

Outside of these updates, almost all other aesthetic details carried over, notably including the shatterproof hesalite crystal, black dial with white accents, combination of 30-minute, 12-hour, and small seconds sub-dials, and the 42mm case in stainless steel with matching bracelet.
This beauty comes FULL SET and in top conditions.