An extremely rare and historic Omega Speedmaster 145.022-78 with an 'Alaska III Radial Dial'. The fully complete NASA allocations of the dials were not allowed for public sale since they were government property. The Radial Dial was specifically requested by NASA engineer Jim Ragan. Its most recent appearance can be seen on the 2017 #speedytuesday model.

The driving force of the Radial dial was space travel. The dial was born for ensuring an easier more exact way of reading the chronographs elapsed time results. So this dial was specifically designed for space, which would later be the Alaska Project III that passes all NASA tests in 1978. It would then be issued to astronauts of the space shuttle for use. One photo published with it sewn into the suit.

The original sketches date to September 1972 for the Alaska III Radial Dial.

"The watch we have here for you today, the 1978 Omega Speedmaster Professional radial dial, was never issued to NASA as it was a prototype. It was used as a spare watch on request by NASA. NASA only ordered 56 watches, engraved with NASA’s own internal (coded) serial number and reference number (SED12100312-301).

I’ve been informed though, that Omega made a total of 60 cases and 100 dials. The remaining 4 cases were kept in Switzerland as prototypes or perhaps as replacement in case one of the 56 issued Speedmaster watches would be damaged to an extent it would become unusable.

If you’ve been strolling on the interwebs, followed auctions etc. you might have seen the use of radial dials in non-NASA issued Speedmasters, or prototypes. The story goes that an Italian Omega distributor bought 40 of these dials back in the day, and put them into 145.022-69 cases. So these watches do not have the clean Seahorse-only case back with a NASA number (SED12100312-301) engraved, like this Speedmaster Professional radial dial we have here". -Fratello

Information:

Reference: 145.022-78

Movement number: 44,820,XXX

Movement Dated: 1980 June

Dial: 'Alaska III Radial Dial' - Tritium - indices have become a perfect pumpkin patina

Hands: Tritium

Bezel: Decimal Bezel

Strap: Brown Leather Fratello x REM Strap - Spaceship

Case: 42mm - Stainless Steel

Lug Width: 20mm

Movement: 861 - Manual - Running ( 8 s/d 275 amp)

Case back: FOIS - stamped ST 145022-78 inside

Functions: Hours, Minutes, Seconds, Chronograph

Accessories: N/A

Crystal: Hesalite

Bracelet size: 7.5”

Condition:

Case is in great shape with light normal wear. Strap is in great shape with slight creasing. Dial is in great shape. Hands are in great vintage shape with all lume intact matching the dial. Running well at ( 8 s/d 275 amp).