1996 Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch Sapphire Back 3572.50 W/ Box and Hang Tag

(Alan Bean With An Omega Speedmaster Professional On Lunar Surface Of The Moon)

The Omega Speedmaster Professional is by far one of our most favorite chronographs. The Speedmaster has an incredible history starting with automotive racing moving into flight and eventually to NASA and the U.S. Space Program.  There are many subtle differences within the vintage Omega Speedmaster range of references that make them all slightly unique and different. 

This early execution 3572.50 features the caliber 863 movements that were produced for Omega until 1996, then changing to the more common rhodium plated cal. 1863 from 1997 on. These early executions are loved by collectors for the visibility of the gorgeous brass 863 movements through the exhibition caseback while retaining the classic hesalite crystal of the moon watch.

This discontinued model is similar to the ‘standard’ Moonwatch model reference 3570.50 but with a sapphire case back. In the current Omega collection, you can still find the Speedmaster Professional with a sapphire case back, but it also has the sapphire front crystal. This reference 3572.50 has the Hesalite crystal on top and the sapphire crystal on the back which makes it more original to the Moon watch offering but with the exhibition case back. The Omega Caliber 1863 movement was the successor of the Caliber 863 movement. The caliber 863 was based on Lemania’s caliber 1873 and was used by Omega till 1996 but the Omega cal. 1863 has a different finish than the 863 dubbing Cal. 1863 movement as the "fancy" movement due to the sapphire exhibition case back

The stunning case remains unpolished showing almost to wear from use. The bezel remains in perfect condition and is starting to take on a slight fade. The sapphire case back gives you a full view of the gorgeous cal. 863 movement. The Omega 1479/812 bracelet is in excellent condition and exhibits almost no stretch and very little wear.

The matte black dial is flawless. The tritium lume has aged to an excellent creamy patina showing no degradation under U.V. light inspection. The original tritium hands have aged slightly lighter than the dial and under U.V. light inspection the hour and minute hands exhibit minor lume degradation.

Watch comes with original inner and outer boxes and hang tag. Watch is running at COSC Spec and was recently serviced by the previous oner before our acquisition.