Omega Speedmaster Professional ref. 3574.51 – the Apollo 17 “Last Man on the Moon” Limited Edition

Introduced in 2002 as a run of just 3 000 pieces, the Speedmaster 3574.51 pairs the familiar Moonwatch front with a commemorative case‑back honouring Apollo 17 commander Captain Eugene “Gene” Cernan, the last human to stand on the lunar surface on 14 December 1972. Unmistakably a classic Speedy at first glance yet carrying its history on the reverse. This one is 2407/3000   

Why Apollo 17 matters

Apollo 17 closed the Apollo programme and remains the most recent crewed mission beyond low‑Earth orbit. Cernan’s final EVA – and his handwritten tribute to his daughter Tracy in lunar dust – became a poignant full‑stop to the era of manned lunar exploration. Omega had already issued mission‑patch watches in 1997, but the brand returned in 2002 for the 30th anniversary with a stand‑alone model that could be worn day‑to‑day without the bright patch dial of earlier commemoratives.   

Familiar face, special reverse

From the front the watch is pure Moonwatch: 42 mm lyre‑lug steel case, black stepped dial, tritium‑era layout updated with Super‑LumiNova, hesalite crystal and the textbook white‑on‑black tachymeter bezel. On the case‑back, though, the standard hippocampus medallion is replaced by an embossed Apollo 17 mission emblem – the Greek god Apollo over a spreading eagle, three stars for the crew and the Earth in the distance – encircled by the text “E A CERNAN – APOLLO XVII – LAST MAN ON THE MOON – 12.14.1972” and the individual edition number 2407 out of 3000.   

Calibre 1861 inside

Powering the watch is calibre 1861, the direct descendant of the calibre 861 that accompanied astronauts from 1969 onwards. Beating at 21 600 vph and offering a 48‑hour power reserve, it remains manually wound – an intentional nod to the NASA‑qualified movement’s proven reliability in vacuum conditions where an oscillating weight would have offered no advantage.   

Bracelet and references

Omega paired the 3574.51 with the then‑current 1998/849 solid‑link bracelet, giving the watch a reassuring heft absent from earlier folded‑link “1479” and “1171” options. References vary slightly in literature – the full code is 3574.51.00 Because the dial is unaltered, examples can surface mis‑represented as standard 3570.50 watches with swapped backs, so serial‑number matching (generally 77–78 million) is advisable. 

Wearing experience

On the wrist the watch feels exactly like a late‑1990s Moonwatch: 13.5 mm thick including crystal, 48 mm lug‑to‑lug and around 145 g on bracelet. Hesalite keeps reflections subdued and offers the familiar warm distortion at shallow angles. The hue of the Super‑LumiNova remains a bright white in daylight, distinguishing it subtly from older tritium‑loaded Speedmasters whose plots have usually mellowed to parchment.

Position in the Speedmaster lineage

In the galaxy of Speedy limited editions the 3574.51 sits between the showier 1998 “Mission Cases” watches and the later sapphire‑crystal, laser‑etched specials of the 2010s. Its restrained façade appeals to enthusiasts who want an historically anchored edition without daily‑wear compromises such as colour‑coded sub‑dials or precious‑metal appliqués. Production of 3 000 pieces puts it on a par with the 2004 “Apollo 11 35th” panda dial and far scarcer than mainstream Moonwatches, yet it remains less hyped than the Snoopy references, leaving room for upward value drift as broader appreciation grows.

Conclusion

The Speedmaster Professional 3574.51 distils everything enthusiasts love about the Moonwatch – timeless design, space‑flight provenance and day‑to‑day robustness – while adding a discreet but meaningful tribute to the final footsteps on the lunar regolith. Its limited production, historically literate engraving and lack of dial gimmickry give it a quiet appeal that is increasingly resonating with collectors searching for Speedies that stand out without shouting.

Case in great condition. No signs of polishing. Bracelet has only hairline scratches visible and is in very good condition.

The dial and hands are flawless.