The Sedna Gold Speedmaster First Omega In Space (FOiS)

Ten years in the past, Omega launched the Globemaster, the Seamaster 300 Spectre version, and the white-dial Speedmaster Silver Snoopy Award 45^th Anniversary restricted version. That 12 months, Omega centered totally on the Spectre and the Snoopy, neglecting to offer the Globemaster the eye it deserved. Moreover, the Sedna (rose) Gold Speedmaster First Omega in House (FOiS) didn’t obtain a lot acclaim.

Speedmaster FOiS in Sedna Gold

It was too early for Omega to push gold watches. These had been completely different instances for the model and watches generally. Solely in recent times has the demand for gold watches appeared to extend. Within the present catalog, the Moonshine Gold Speedmaster with a golden panda dial on a rubber strap prices €35,900. Maybe a fairer comparability can be the Moonwatch in Sedna Gold, on an alligator strap, which has a retail worth of €33,500. A decade in the past, there weren’t many gold Speedmaster editions within the catalog. At present, it appears to be a distinct world. A Speedmaster is out there in each gold alloy and platinum.

Walter “Wally” Schirra’s Speedmaster CK2998-4

Wally Schirra’s Speedmaster CK2998 was the inspiration

However let’s first return to the start to offer some context about this Speedmaster FOiS in Sedna Gold. In 2012, Omega launched the well-known Speedmaster First Omega in House to commemorate NASA astronaut Wally Schirra’s use of his (personal) Speedmaster CK2998 in area in 1962. On October third of that 12 months, Schirra introduced his Speedmaster on board the Sigma 7 throughout his nine-hour Mercury-Atlas 8 mission. Like his colleagues Deke Slayton and Gordon Cooper, he had privately bought the Omega Speedmaster CK2998. The metal tribute was referred to as the First Omega in House, or “FOiS” by collectors, and Omega bought hundreds of them from 2012 till its discontinuation on the finish of 2020.

Picture: Chrono24

The introduction in 2015

In 2015, Omega launched the beautiful rose gold model of this 39.7mm straight-lug Speedmaster to its assortment. The polished brown ceramic bezel insert, brown sub-dials, and brown minute monitor on the dial create a wonderful distinction in opposition to the opaline dial and the 18K rose gold alloy. The alpha fingers, like these within the unique Speedmaster ref. CK2998, Speedmaster FOiS in metal, and different subsequent “CK2998” restricted editions, give the watch a definite look in comparison with the Speedmaster Skilled and “Ed White”/105.003-based fashions.

Omega caliber 1861

Caliber 1861

Inside was nonetheless Omega’s dependable caliber 1861, the predecessor of the present Grasp Chronometer Co-Axial caliber 3861. About 50% of the components are interchangeable, so these actions bear a powerful resemblance. The caliber 1861 within the Speedmaster FOiS, whether or not metal or Sedna Gold, just isn’t seen to the wearer. The case backs are all metallic (gold on this occasion) and have the hippocampus emblem within the heart. Surrounding that is the textual content “The First Omega in House” and the date of Schirra’s flight within the Sigma 7 spacecraft.

The Speedmaster FOiS is a numbered version — Picture: The WatchGuy Munich

A numbered version

Each the Sedna Gold and chrome steel Speedmaster FOiS fashions are numbered editions. It’s unclear what number of Sedna Gold Speedmaster FOiS watches Omega produced, however I doubt it’s a big quantity. This watch flew underneath the radar! With a retail worth of CHF 15,000 (transformed to €14,800 on the time), we didn’t see it as a cut price. That is what Michael Stockton wrote on the time:

“I hardly ever go for gold-colored watches, however this FOiS in Sedna gold with darkish brown panda dial seemed superb in individual. Amongst all the brand new Omegas in Basel, and there have been many, that is the one I’d like finest on the wrist. The case design is incredible and smaller than a standard Co-Axial Speedmaster and the dial is one in every of magical simplicity. Name me loopy, however I discover the white area so stark and superbly contrasting that it even jogs my memory barely of a sure Rolex made well-known by a sure actor turned salad dressing maker. At roughly 15,000 CHF, the value is a bit intergalactic, however it’s a showstopper.”

4 years later, he bought the 2019 Omega Speedmaster Skilled in Moonshine Gold. I suppose that on this quick time, Mike’s notion of worth modified drastically. It additionally reveals how completely different pricing was on the time, not just for Omega but in addition for a lot of different manufacturers. The final official identified retail worth of this gold Speedmaster ref. 311.63.40.30.02.001 was €16,200.

Picture: The WatchGuy Munich

Out of manufacturing since 2021

Now, a decade later, the Speedmaster FOiS in Sedna Gold has been discontinued for 4 years, and costs on the pre-owned market are near the unique retail worth of 2015. A fast have a look at Chrono24 reveals that 14 are at the moment out there, with asking costs starting from roughly €10,300 to €15,600. Notice that a few of these costs are topic to import duties and/or VAT. It additionally is dependent upon the situation of the watch, in fact. For lower than €15,000, you must be capable to supply a full set (with bins and papers) in good situation with out incurring taxes.

Seems thinner than its specs counsel

The 39.7mm case has a 14.4mm thickness, together with the crystal, which wasn’t debated anyplace at the moment. This solely turned a matter of concern in recent times. A minimum of, it’s not one thing I keep in mind folks fussing about in these days. The Speedmaster’s profile and the box-type sapphire crystal additionally make it feel and appear barely thinner than the spec sheet suggests. As all the time, it’s advisable to strive it on earlier than buying. In whole, the watch (with its strap and Sedna Gold pin buckle) weighs 109 grams.

Should you suppose the Speedmaster Skilled (42mm) is simply too giant for you however you’d like a gold piece, the Speedmaster First Omega in House in 18K rose gold may be a really severe choice.

A reminder of the Speedmaster FOiS in Sedna Gold

I used to be reminded of this Sedna Gold FOiS throughout final 12 months’s Dutch Speedmaster GTG. One of many visitors (with an in depth assortment) had one in his field. The straight-lug case design, the CK2998 alpha fingers, and the panda dial are very good. Moreover, the case, crown, pushers, and pin buckle are crafted out of 18K rose gold.

I’ve solely encountered this Speedmaster FOiS in Sedna Gold with the unique strap. I’ve by no means seen anybody put it on a NATO or a distinct leather-based strap. Each now and again, I see this watch at one of many Speedmaster GTGs. However I believe if I’ve seen 5 of them in whole, that’s already lots.

Price contemplating

Omega’s Speedmaster FOiS in Sedna Gold won’t be the proper alternative for a primary Speedmaster, nevertheless it’s definitely price contemplating in the event you’re a collector. There was little demand for gold Speedmasters up to now, and Omega even determined to discontinue the gold Moonwatch in 2012. Because the model launched its new fashions with caliber 3861, we’ve additionally seen variations in Canopus, Sedna, and Moonshine Gold. You might say that the Sedna Gold Speedmaster FOiS was too early for the pattern.

These of you with a pointy eye may recall the 1997 Speedmaster “Golden Panda” for the Japanese market. That was a restricted version of 40 items, nevertheless it used the 42mm Moonwatch case.

Tell us what you consider this Speedmaster FOiS in Sedna Gold within the feedback under.