OMEGA celebrates the 55th anniversary of the first Moon landing.

55 years ago, the astronauts of Apollo 11 took humanity's first bold steps on the lunar surface. It was a moment that forever changed history and the boundaries of human potential. At this iconic moment, the OMEGA Speedmaster Professional became the first watch to appear on the Moon, creating an iconic and historic legacy for this chronometer.

On this special occasion, OMEGA commemorates this incredible mission and the unique journey the "Moonwatch" undertook before reaching the Moon's surface. It all began in 1964 when NASA experts officially began searching for a watch they could rely on during manned space flights. Deke Slayton, the director of flight crew operations, requested wrist chronographs from various manufacturers worldwide. Several renowned watchmaking companies, including OMEGA, subjected their watches to rigorous tests – thermal, shock, vibration, and vacuum tests. Only the OMEGA Speedmaster survived all the tests and was declared "qualified for all manned space missions" on March 1, 1965. From that moment, OMEGA became the sole supplier of watches for the entire NASA manned spaceflight program. Astronauts trusted OMEGA watches in the Mercury, Gemini, and, of course, the Apollo program, which aimed for a lunar landing. The eyes of the world were on Apollo 11 in July 1969, and every piece of equipment and technology had to be flawless. There was no room for error or mistake. That is why it is a great honor for OMEGA to proudly look back and know that OMEGA watches earned the trust of all involved. Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first humans to walk on the lunar surface on July 21, 1969, at 02:56 UTC. Their lunar walk lasted only two and a half hours, but what they accomplished left a significant mark in the history of space exploration.

55 years later, OMEGA remains incredibly proud to have measured the most famous hours in human history and to have been part of this pioneering story.