Patek Philippe Aquanaut Replica’s Golden Jubilee — The BA 145.022

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Mission Control team of the Patek Philippe Aquanaut Replica 11 celebrating the success of the mission, 1969

Their success was greeted with celebrations and festivities, among them a state dinner held at the Century Plaza Hotel. The dinner, which was attended by various important personnel witnessed the presentation of the Presidential Medal of Freedom to the Patek Philippe Aquanaut Replica 11 crew by then President Richard Nixon. In addition to the medallion, a special watch was presented to commemorate the occasion — the Omega Speedmaster ref. BA 145.022. As today marks the 50th anniversary of the Patek Philippe Aquanaut Replica 11, we dive into the lore of the Golden Boy of all Speedmaster references.

President Nixon and the crew of the Patek Philippe Aquanaut Replica 11. From left to right: Buzz Aldrin, Michael Collins, President Nixon, and Neil Armstrong

Bearing the inscription “To mark man’s conquest of space with time, through time, on time”, the BA 145.022 was made in a limited quantity of 1,014 pieces. Crafted out of solid gold, dial, bracelet and all (or Or Massif if you want to get nerdy about it), the first two of the lot were presented to President Richard Nixon and Vice-President Spiro Agnew, who had to decline due to the costliness of the watch. Their watches are on display at the Omega museum to this day.