Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →The 2019 OMEGA Speedmaster Apollo 11 50th Anniversary (310.60.42.50.99.001) is a modern tribute to the original 1969 gold commemorative Speedmaster, commonly identified as BA145.022-69. Both are gold Apollo watches associated with a 1,014-piece production run, but they are not the same reference: the newer model uses Moonshine Gold, a ceramic bezel, sapphire crystal and manual Master Chronometer Calibre 3861; a documented 1969 example uses yellow gold, an aluminum bezel, Hesalite and manual Calibre 861. The vintage watch’s originality and condition must be judged individually.
Why the two watches are connected
OMEGA describes the 2019 edition as inspired by the BA145.022, making it a commemorative reinterpretation rather than a surviving watch from the Apollo 11 era. The original gold commemoratives were presented after the 1969 lunar landing. OMEGA’s history says the first watches in the series were given to 19 astronauts at a Houston gala dinner on November 25, 1969. OMEGA’s 1969 commemorative-edition history
The distinction matters: neither gold commemorative reference should be confused with the Speedmaster program’s broader role in NASA missions. OMEGA says NASA qualified the Speedmaster for “all manned space missions” in 1965 and that Speedmasters were official kit on successful Apollo journeys from Apollo 11 through Apollo 17. That program history does not establish that either gold commemorative watch was worn on the lunar surface. OMEGA Press, December 8, 2022
How the specifications compare
| Detail | 1969 gold commemorative | 2019 50th-anniversary edition |
|---|---|---|
| Reference | Commonly designated BA145.022-69; Phillips catalogues a specific 1969 example as reference 145.022. Confirm the reference on the individual watch. Phillips example | 310.60.42.50.99.001. OMEGA product page |
| Production | Reported production run of 1,014 watches; this is a production total, not the same modern limited-edition framing used for the 2019 model. Fratello side-by-side | OMEGA specifies a limited edition of 1,014 pieces. OMEGA product page |
| Gold | Phillips identifies its documented example as 18K yellow gold; the specialist comparison identifies the vintage alloy as 2N yellow gold. Individual components should be checked on any watch being considered. Phillips example; Fratello comparison | 18K Moonshine Gold case, bracelet and dial, according to OMEGA. Moonshine Gold is OMEGA’s yellow-gold alloy introduced in 2019. OMEGA product page; OMEGA on Moonshine Gold |
| Bezel and crystal | The specialist comparison describes an aluminum bezel and Hesalite crystal. Parts and replacement history vary by individual watch. Fratello comparison | Burgundy ceramic bezel and sapphire crystal. OMEGA product page; Fratello comparison |
| Movement | Phillips records manual-winding Calibre 861 in its catalogued 1969 example. Phillips example | Manual-winding Master Chronometer Calibre 3861. OMEGA product page |
What changed in the movement and materials
From Calibre 861 to Calibre 3861
The movement is a clear generational divide. The Phillips-catalogued vintage example has manual Calibre 861, while the 2019 reference uses manual Calibre 3861 and carries OMEGA’s Master Chronometer designation. These are not interchangeable specifications: one is a detail recorded for a particular historic watch, and the other is the manufacturer’s specification for the newer reference.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Different gold and exterior choices
The 2019 watch is built around OMEGA’s 18K Moonshine Gold, with a burgundy ceramic bezel and sapphire crystal. The specialist comparison describes the vintage watch’s yellow-gold construction, aluminum bezel and Hesalite crystal. The material contrast is part of the design difference, but on a vintage example the visible parts may reflect wear, service or replacement; do not assume every surviving watch retains all original components.
What to check when considering a 1969 example
A vintage BA145.022-69 is a specific historical watch, so its merits depend on the individual example rather than the reference name alone. Phillips documents one example accompanied by an OMEGA Extract of the Archives; that documentation and its details apply to that lot, not automatically to every watch.
Rank #2
- First Man On The Moon Watch Model 31130423001005
- Famous Manual-winding Chronograph Movement that was Worn on the Moon
- Omega Mechanical Caliber 1861
- Black Dial, 42mm Stainless Steel Case and Stainless Steel Bracelet
- Presentation Box Includes NATO Strap, Velcro Strap and Strap Changing Tools
- Compare the reference and serial information on the watch with its documentation and the seller’s account.
- Inspect the dial, hands, bezel, case and bracelet for originality, condition and evidence of replacement or refinishing.
- Ask for movement photographs, service records and a clear account of the watch’s running condition.
- Review any archive extract, box or papers as evidence tied to that particular example, not as proof of a general standard for the reference.
- Check the seller’s return terms and have the watch assessed by a qualified specialist if originality or condition is uncertain.
Which one makes more sense?
The 2019 edition is the more straightforward choice for someone who wants a new-generation specification, Moonshine Gold and a modern tribute with a manufacturer-stated Master Chronometer movement. The 1969 model is the historically original commemorative generation, but buying one calls for closer scrutiny of provenance, originality and condition. Current prices and inventory are not established here; historical auction outcomes or earlier retail figures should not be treated as present-day market guidance. Compare dated examples on condition, documentation, service history, location and seller terms.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Model 310.32.42.50.01.001
Rank #3
- Model 310.30.42.50.01.001
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
