3… 2… 1… Liftoff!

Take a poll amongst wristwatch collectors, and we'd bet the consensus would be that there might be nothing more important or iconic in a watch collection than an Omega Speedmaster. 

Sure, chronographs such as the Rolex Daytona or the Heuer Carrera are classics - icons even, but neither can match the stature of the Speedy with regards to importance in history. In fact, arguably no watch can.

This particular Speedy, a Reference 3560.50, might date to circa 1999 but in spirit and aesthetics it has all the elements of a classic Apollo-era watch. In fact, this piece is an Apollo XI 30th Anniversary commemorative piece, with a caseback engraving that reads: "Hello Houston, Tranquility Base here, the eagle has landed" and numbered 8501/9999.

But thats not all.

This piece features a standout modification: a satin silver 'panda' dial known as the 'Mitsukoshi' dial — which has been swapped in place of the traditional matte black dial. While watches with Mitsukoshi dials from the factory are very rare with just 300 units made and sold at one location in Japan, Omega produced more of the dials which some have been lucky to get their hands on.

The movement that powers this watch is a variant of the same calibre that powered the watches worn by Jim Lovell and his crew during the harrowing Apollo 13 spaceflight — with a virtually identical 42mm asymmetrical case that has defined the Professional models since the 1960s.

While the best time to pick up one of the factory 'Mitsukoshi' pieces was in Japan in 2003 — which now command massive premiums — grabbing one of these virtually indistinguishable, authentic swaps is easily the next best thing.

So, whether you're looking to get into an always desirable 'panda' dial'd chronograph, or a modern Speedmaster with a twist, this example a hell of an option.