Very Original Stainless Steel Omega Speedmaster Professional Chronograph ‘Moonwatch’ Ref. # 145.022-71 w/Stepped Dial

Production:  1971 June (I Love my Speedmaster)
Diameter:  42mm
Dial:  Black Stepped Dial with 3 sub-dials, Speedmaster has dropped R
Bezel:  Stainless steel, Tall Tachy text with no accent over E, Dot Next to Ninety (DNN / DN90)
Case Back:  Solid Screw Back, Speedmaster Emblem and “Flight Qualified by NASA for All Manned Space Missions, the First Watch Worn on the Moon.” The outer engraving is very sharp, but the black paint/enamel is gone from the letters. Caseback stamped 145.022 ST71 inside. Omega crown.
Movement:  Manual Wind Cal. 861, Serial # 31613832, with Dust Cover.
Functions:  Hours, Minutes, Seconds, Chronograph.
Crystal:  Original Armoured Hesalite with Omega Logo at center.
Bracelet:  Stainless Steel, "heavy" flat link bracelet, (No. 29) 1175/640 End Pieces. Deployant type clasp OMEGA "O" logo in high relief. Brushed finish with polished edges. The 1175 bracelet with 640 end-links is only correct for 145.022-69 and 145.022-71 models. Long length fits a full sized wrist.
Condition:  Excellent Condition. The watch and bracelet have superficial scratches due to normal wear and age. Case back shows one scratch from failed attempt to open back. The dial and hands have patina which can be expected with age. Overall condition of the watch is good and very original.

Running at time of listing. Not checked for accuracy nor water proofness. An overhaul is always recommended for vintage watches.
A nice original example of an early Omega Speedmaster Professional Chronograph ‘Moonwatch’ Ref. # 145.022-71 with stepped dial.

Will be shipped insured - therefore extra shipping cost!

History
Beginning in about 1962, NASA anonymously purchased a series of chronographs of different brands, with the task of finding the best watch available for their astronauts to wear in space.
In 1964, the watches satisfying all pre-requirements were officially purchased by NASA and subjected to a series of tests and pre-selection processes called the “Qualification Test Procedures”. Only three watches out of six chronographs successfully survived this arduous pre-selection phase.
The finalists were then subjected to 11 different tests - the most rigorous trials endured in the history of horology:
High temperature: 48 hours at a temperature of 160°F (71°C) followed by 30 minutes at 200°F (93°C).
Low temperature: 4 hours at a temperature of 0°F (-18°C).
Temperature-Pressure: 15 cycles of heating to 71°C for 45 minutes, followed by cooling to -18°C for 45 minutes at 10-6 atm.
Relative humidity: 240 hrs at temperatures varying between 68°F and 160°F in a relative humidity of at least 95%.
Oxygen atmosphere: 48 hours in an atmosphere of 100% oxygen at a pressure of 0.35 atm.
Shock: Six shocks of 40 G, each 11 milliseconds in duration, in six different directions.
Acceleration: From 1 G to 7.25 G within 333 seconds, along an axis parallel to the longitudinal spacecraft axis.
Decompression: 90 minutes in a vacuum of 10-6 atm at a temperature of 160°F (71°C) and 30 minutes at 200°F (93°C).
High pressure: 1.6 atm for a minimum period of one hour.
Vibration: Three cycles of 30 minutes vibration varying from 5 to 2000 Hz.
Acoustic noise: 130 db over a frequency range of 40 to 10,000 Hz, duration 30 minutes.
On March 1, 1965, the test results were completed and only the Omega Speedmaster passed. At the time, NASA’s testers wrote, "Operational and environmental tests of the three selected chronographs have been completed; and, as a result of the test, Omega chronographs have been calibrated and issued to three members of the Gemini Titan III crews."
James Ragan, the NASA engineer responsible for the qualification tests, has spoken about the importance of the Speedmaster by saying, “The watch was a backup. If the astronauts lost the capability of talking to the ground, or the capability of their digital timers on the lunar surface, then the only thing they had to rely on was the Omega watch they had on their wrist. It needed to be there for them if they had a problem.”
Curiously, Omega only learned about the Speedmaster’s journey into space after seeing a photograph of Ed White taken during America’s first spacewalk as part of the Gemini 4 mission in June of 1965. The watch was attached to the arm via a long nylon strap secured with Velcro.
Following the discovery, Omega decided to add the word "Professional" to the product name, thus becoming Omega Speedmaster Professional. The new reference number was 145.012.
On the 20th of July, 1969 the first manned lunar landing was certainly one of the most dramatic scientific achievement in human history. Neil Armstrong was the first to step onto the moon’s surface. Since the electronic timing system on the Lunar Module was not functioning correctly, Armstrong had left his watch aboard as a reliable backup. Nineteen minutes later he was joined by Buzz Aldrin, who was wearing his Omega Speedmaster Professional was the first watch worn on the moon. It was a Omega Speedmaster Professional with a Calibre 321 movement. A few months after this mission, Buzz's watch was stolen and never returned.
In 1970, after an electrical failure caused an explosion in the Apollo 13 and the crew had to evacuate to the tiny Aquarius Lunar Module to conserve power, pilot Jack Swigert used his Speedmaster to precisely calculate the critical 14 seconds of engine boost to angle the shuttle for re-entry into the earth's atmosphere. In recognition of this, Omega was awarded the Snoopy Award by the Apollo 13 astronauts, "for dedication, professionalism, and outstanding contributions in support of the first United States Manned Lunar Landing Project." For well over half a century, the OMEGA Speedmaster has witnessed events that have tested the limits of physical endurance and human courage, including the first manned lunar landing in July of 1969 and every one of NASA’s piloted missions since March of 1965.

Quite Simply the most "Perfect" chronograph of all time. So many watch enthusiasts clearly agree.