Omega Speedmaster 145.022-69ST with Straight Writing Caseback and 32M Serial

Introduction

The Omega Speedmaster 145.022-69ST stands at a pivotal moment in the evolution of the Speedmaster Professional line. With its calibre 861 movement, transitional design cues, and unique caseback variations—including the sought-after “Straight Writing” engraving—this reference has become one of the most historically significant and technically intriguing models in the Speedmaster lineage. When paired with a 32 million serial number and a “Straight Writing” caseback, the 145.022-69ST presents a compelling snapshot of Omega’s early 1970s production. It bridges the iconic Moonwatch era with the mass production maturity that would follow.

From Moon to Modern: The 145.022 Transition

The 145.022 reference was introduced in 1968 as a successor to the 105.012 and 145.012 models—the watches worn by Apollo astronauts and certified by NASA for manned spaceflight. While earlier references housed the column-wheel calibre 321 movement, the 145.022 was the first to introduce the calibre 861, a more robust and cost-effective cam-actuated chronograph movement designed by Albert Piguet at Lemania.

The -69 subreference is particularly important because it was in production during the actual Moon landing in July 1969. Ironically, while it is commonly mistaken as the first Speedmaster on the Moon, the astronauts actually wore earlier references (105.012 and 145.012). Nevertheless, the 145.022-69 carries with it the aura of that era and represents the last Speedmaster with several vintage design elements before Omega shifted towards more modern production cues.

Case and Bezel

The stainless steel case measures 42mm in diameter and features the asymmetrical lyre-lug design introduced with the 105.012. The twisted lugs and crown guards were designed to offer increased protection for the pushers and crown—critical features for the harsh environments of space and aviation.

This reference was fitted with a black aluminium tachymeter bezel insert, typically featuring the “Dot Over 90” (DON) configuration in earlier production runs, but by the 32 million serial range, the majority had moved to the “Dot Next to 90” (DNN) variant. However, crossovers and mixed parts are not uncommon with Omega production from this period, especially as stock parts were phased out or used interchangeably.

Dial and Hands

The 145.022-69ST dial is a quintessential Speedmaster tritium step dial, distinguished by a recessed minute track that creates a ‘step’ between the dial centre and outer edge. This stepped construction was phased out in the following 145.022-71 reference, making the -69 dials the last of their kind.

Tritium lume plots mark the hours and are often found with warm, creamy patina depending on storage conditions and exposure to light. The dial text reads “Omega Speedmaster Professional,” a format that had become standard by the late 1960s.

The chronograph hand set includes white-painted baton hands for hours and minutes, a needle-style central chronograph seconds hand, and white subdial hands. By the 32 million serial range, these were factory-fitted with tritium lume and consistent hand shapes, though minor font and hand variations do occur.

The Movement: Calibre 861

The heart of the 145.022-69ST is the Lemania-based Omega calibre 861. It is a manual-wind chronograph movement operating at 21,600 vibrations per hour and features a cam-and-lever switching mechanism instead of the column wheel found in the earlier calibre 321.

The calibre 861 was a significant advancement for Omega. Not only was it more economical to manufacture, but it was also easier to service and proved highly reliable. It featured copper-coloured bridges and rhodium plating in later variants. The movement continued in production for decades, with minor refinements leading to the 1861 and 3861 used in contemporary Speedmasters.

The 32 million serial number places this example in mid-to-late 1971, one of the final runs before Omega began production of the 145.022-71. Watches in this serial range often exhibit transitional traits, making them especially interesting for those studying production timelines.

The “Straight Writing” Caseback

What distinguishes this example most is its “Straight Writing” caseback. This is a specific engraving style used by Omega from approximately 1971 to 1973, replacing the earlier “Speedmaster – Professional – Flight-Qualified by NASA…” medallion caseback with a unique, all-text layout.

Rather than a central medallion with raised Hippocampus and radial engraving, the “Straight Writing” caseback features horizontally aligned, block-letter text reading:

“THE FIRST WATCH WORN ON THE MOON”

“FLIGHT-QUALIFIED BY NASA FOR ALL MANNED SPACE MISSIONS”

This layout was likely a response to growing public fascination with the Moon landings and the Speedmaster’s role in NASA’s space programme. Omega seized the opportunity to create a bold, literal engraving that directly stated the watch’s space credentials without the ornate medallion of previous models.

Only a subset of 145.022-69ST watches received this caseback—those produced in the 31M to 32.8M serial range, most commonly seen in 1971–72 examples. As such, the straight writing caseback is often considered a rare and transitional feature, adding further intrigue to the reference.

Bracelet Options

Bracelet pairings during this period typically (but rarely) included the 1039 flat-link bracelet with 516 end links or the later 1171 bracelet with 633 end links. By 1971, Omega was transitioning away from the 1039 in favour of the 1171, which was more robust and designed to match evolving tastes for chunkier bracelets.

While the case was drilled for 20mm spring bars, the correct end links and reference bracelet can vary depending on regional delivery and production batch. Period-correct bracelets with stamped clasp codes (e.g., 1/71 or 2/71) help narrow down production dating.

Crystal and Pushers

The 145.022-69ST came equipped with a hesalite crystal, identifiable by the tiny Omega logo etched in the centre. The hesalite was retained for its shatter-resistant properties, which were safer than acrylic or sapphire in zero-gravity environments. In space, shattered crystal fragments pose a risk to instrumentation, so NASA retained hesalite on all qualified chronographs.

Pushers are typical flat-top pump pushers, and the crown was unsigned during this period, although replacements may feature later-style logos. As always, originality of these parts can impact desirability, but factory service replacements were common.

Why the 145.022-69ST Matters

The 145.022-69ST is more than a placeholder between the 321 era and later mass-produced Speedmasters—it captures a transformative moment in Omega’s design and manufacturing. With a 32M serial and straight writing caseback, this particular example sits at the tail-end of -69 production and represents a specific, short-lived design experiment.

The caseback alone has become a defining feature for collectors cataloguing Speedmaster variants. Only the 145.022-69 features the straight writing style—the later 145.022-71 reverted to the medallion caseback with radial text. This makes the straight writing variant both a production anomaly and a fascinating marketing artefact from Omega’s post-Apollo years.

Moreover, this reference retained vintage cues such as the stepped dial and applied Omega logo, which were phased out in the -71 and -74 references. It’s a model that celebrates both the past and the future of the Speedmaster.

Period Correct Details to Look For

If you’re evaluating a 145.022-69ST with a 32M serial and straight writing caseback, here are several period-correct details that should align:

• Dial: Step dial with tritium plots and applied metal Omega logo
• Hands: Baton hour and minute hands with tritium lume; needle chronograph seconds hand
• Caseback: Straight Writing engraved caseback (no medallion)
• Movement: Cal. 861 with copper-toned bridges; movement serial in 32.0–32.8 million range
• Bezel: DNN variant most common by this serial, though some late DON bezels may appear (this one does not)
• Bracelet: 1171/633
• Crown and pushers: Flat pushers; unsigned or correct vintage Omega crown

Final Thoughts

The Omega Speedmaster 145.022-69ST with a straight writing caseback embodies a turning point in Speedmaster history. It maintains vintage characteristics like the stepped dial and tritium lume while incorporating a more industrial, modern approach to movement production and branding. The straight writing engraving on the caseback is not just a visual anomaly—it’s a window into Omega’s strategic storytelling in the years immediately after Apollo 11.

For those looking to understand the evolution of the Moonwatch, few references encapsulate the blend of history, engineering, and transition as clearly as the 145.022-69. The straight writing caseback, unique to this reference and produced only for a brief window, offers a distinct snapshot of Omega’s post-Moon landing momentum—before modernisation took full hold of the Speedmaster line.

• Case & bracelet in very good condition, minimal wear visible.
• Bracelet has minimal stretch and some hairlines visible.

Dial & hands very good condition.