The Omega Speedmaster "First Omega In Space" Full Review

Earlier this year we saw Swatch and Omega come together to release the fresh and unexpected MoonSwatch 1965, which paid direct homage to the 60th anniversary of the Speedmaster’s NASA flight qualification in – you guessed it – 1965. Today we are returning to a late 2024 release from Omega that took things back a bit further: three years, to be exact. I am referring to the “First Omega in Space,” a watch which harkens back to — congratulations, you guessed it again! — the first Omega to go into space. The year was 1962, the astronaut was Wally Schirra, and the Speedy reference was the 2998. In 2012, Omega launched the first “First Omega in Space,” henceforth referred to as the FOIS. In fact, I will refer to the 2012 version, with its black dial, as the FOIS 1. 

Omega launched the FOIS II in October of 2024 amid an absolute firestorm of buzzy releases. The release revived the model line which had lay dormant for about four years and brought it back with gusto. Today, we go hands-on with the current generation of the FOIS.

First Omega In Space Case and Bracelet

I had the chance to spend some time with this watch, one which I considered to be Omega’s best release of 2024 (yes, over the white-dial Speedy). The thing that really cemented that idea for me was the flat-link bracelet, an option not available on the FOIS 1. Putting this watch on, with its 39.7mm case diameter (consistent with the Ref. 2998), its straight lugs (standard Speedy lugs are twisted), and its guardless crown, felt akin to wearing something truly vintage.

Sure, with its 48mm lug-to-lug, it doesn’t necessarily wear that different from the standard Moonwatch, but I’ll be damned if it doesn’t just ooze a certain special something. In fact, the major difference between the FOIS and Moonwatch when it comes to the case can be observed at the crown and pushers. Where these are a little more flush with the case on the Moonwatch, they have no real protection on the FOIS.

As for finishing, the top of the case (largely the lugs) is nicely polished and flows right into the three-row, flat-link bracelet. The outer links keep that polished look, while the center link has matches the sides of the case with vertical brushing. The bracelet has a 19mm lug width which tapers all the way down to 14.5mm at the clasp, which has plenty of vintage personality of its own. The milled clasp has a really cool old-school Omega logo and has both polished and brushed finishes. And, of course, I have to shout out the clasp’s 3mm no-tool quick adjustment.

In terms of fit, on my 6.25in wrist, the flat-link wore like a dream. The 13.4mm of case height was effectively imperceptible. Taking the watch off and turning it over, I really appreciate how even the caseback engraving feels vintage. Overall, though, just like the recent MoonSwatch, the use of the vintage Omega logo and wordmark (and the engraved hippocampus) really elevate this watch beyond its $7,900 price tag (on bracelet). This thing can easily go toe-to-toe with the Ed White. And if I am being honest, given how much I like the way the dial plays with the light and adds visual intrigue, I would choose the FOIS. Add in the blue-grey dial, which pays direct homage to Schirra’s in vintage form, along with a really tasteful use of faux-aged lume on the hands, and you have a certain magic captured and bottled.

First Omega In Space Dial

Speaking of the First Omega In Space dial, let’s get into it. Beneath the domed sapphire crystal (which has that very cool Omega logo in the center of it) is the sunray brushed dial done in that lovely subtle blue. The recessed subdials show that familiar tri-register layout with running seconds at 9 o’clock, 12-hour counter at 6 o’clock, and 30 minutes at 3 o’clock. All the chronograph hands are done in white, while the running minutes and alpha-shaped hour and minutes hand have a polished metallic finish. Yes, there is the aforementioned “fauxtina” with lume on the hour markers and hands, which is decent but not quite as potent as the lume on the Moonwatch. And you know I love the use of the vintage Omega logo at 12 o’clock.

Cal. 3861 Movement

Beneath the enclosed caseback is the Omega Caliber 3861, which debuted back in 2019 and is now also found in the Moonwatch. A thoroughly modern movement, the 3861 is a METAS-certified Master Chronometer with a co-axial escapement and accuracy rated at 0 to +5 seconds/day. The Caliber 3861 is manually wound and operates at 3 Hz with a 50-hour power reserve. Beyond those specs it’s got a free-sprung balance with a silicon balance spring and hacking seconds, as well. And while you don’t get to see the movement itself, it is finished with Geneva stripes, black polished screws, and all that good stuff.

FOIS or Moonwatch?

I spent time with Teddy discussing what this watch means. We both own the classic "Hesalite" Moonwatch and were trying to figure out exactly who a watch like the First Omega In Space is for. We initially came to the conclusion that if you were coming to Omega looking for your first serious watch, we might still direct you to the standard 3861 model. If you were something of a collector, the FOIS was a great second Speedy.

Though, to be honest, I am wavering on that now… Something about this watch makes me think that is has enough visual interest, and is steeped in enough history, that it could totally work as a first Speedmaster, or even as a one-watch collection. Good design is good design.

As for price, the Speedmaster First Omega In Space comes in at $7,900 on strap and $8,300 on that excellent flat-link bracelet. The Speedmaster Professional with sapphire crystal is $8,000 on strap and $8,400 on bracelet, so there’s a $100 difference either way; basically, we're looking at the same price here. Of course, the Moonwatch with hesalite crystal is cheaper, at $7,000 on strap and $7,300 on bracelet, but for the sake of comparison let’s keep it apples to apples. As for case size, I know it’s tempting to assume the 39.7mm case of the FOIS is more wearable than the 42mm Moonwatch case, but remember that the lug-to-lug measurements are basically the same. If a view of the movement is a non-negotiable for some reason, then the Moonwatch with sapphire crystal is your watch. As with most things, it all comes down to a matter of preference and personal taste.

Final Thoughts

If you haven’t guessed by now, I love the vintage styling of the FOIS. The standout features of the watch are no doubt its blue dial and use of a vintage logo. Both of these components speak to a more faithful homage. In many ways, the new FOIS is a more economical way to buy into the styling of the modern Caliber 321 Speedmaster. You get much of the dial ornamentation, and insofar as you’re okay with the 3861 Caliber (METAS-certified, mind you) over the modern re-creation of the classic 321, this is a killer option.

Say what you will about the sheer volume of Speedmasters in the Omega collection (which you can see more of here), but that should not take anything away from the moments when the brand effectively strikes gold, which I think it has done here. Do I also think Omega perhaps watered down the potential impact of this release by unveiling it amidst a flurry of new Seamasters and Speedmasters last year? I sure do, but that just adds to its potential of becoming a sleeper hit, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that.

I look forward to spending more time with the FOIS, and if this is the design direction of heritage Speedmasters going forward, count me in.