Omega Speedmaster 145.022-78 'Prototype Alaska III Radial Dial'

The Omega Speedmaster Professional Ref. 145.022-78 fitted with an original “Radial” dial brings together the classic late-1970s Moonwatch with one of the most fascinating dial designs created during Omega’s work with NASA. The radial dial was developed for the 1978 “Alaska III” project, when NASA re-evaluated chronographs for use aboard the upcoming Space Shuttle program. At NASA engineer James Ragan’s request, Omega redesigned the three chronograph registers with larger numerals arranged radially around each subdial to improve legibility. The official Alaska III Speedmasters also featured specially matte-finished, American-made cases, and 56 examples from the initial batch were delivered to NASA in 1978. This particular watch is a standard Speedmaster Professional 145.022-78 to which an original Alaska III-style radial dial was subsequently fitted; it should therefore be distinguished from the NASA-issued and factory Alaska III prototype watches themselves. Period research documents that additional original radial dials existed outside the NASA-issued watches and that some were later installed in standard 145.022 Speedmasters.

"OMEGA ordered a total of 100 radial dials, which means that a few examples were not fitted to specific American cases. It is likely that since the 1980s, some of these remaining dials may have left the OMEGA factory and been fitted to standard Speedmasters by their new owners. In theory, there might exist between 30 and 40 of them, but nobody knows how many dials really left the OMEGA offices…

So far we have observed less than 10 of them, with private collectors, or very rarely available for sale". -Watchfid

Reference: 145.022-78

Movement number: 44,820,8XX

Movement Dated: 1980 June

Dial: 'Prototype Alaska III Radial Dial' - Tritium

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)

Functions: HMS, Chronograph

Accessories: N/A - Watch Only

Crystal: Hesalite

Bracelet size: 7.75”

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).

Founded in 1848 by Louis Brandt in Switzerland, Omega has grown into one of the most respected and innovative names in watchmaking. The brand’s early focus on precision earned it accolades at international observatories and competitions, setting the stage for decades of horological achievement. Omega became the official timekeeper for the Olympic Games in 1932, and in 1969, the Speedmaster Professional—nicknamed the "Moonwatch"—made history as the first watch worn on the lunar surface during NASA’s Apollo 11 mission. Omega’s innovations continued with the introduction of the Co-Axial escapement in the late 1990s, a groundbreaking movement that dramatically reduced friction and improved long-term accuracy.

Omega’s lineup showcases a wide range of iconic models that reflect the brand’s legacy and versatility. The Seamaster, introduced in 1948, is a favorite among divers and famously worn by James Bond since 1995’s GoldenEye, blending technical capability with cinematic cool. The Speedmaster remains one of the most storied chronographs in existence, while the Constellation is known for its refined design and chronometric precision. The De Ville collection offers a more elegant, dress-focused aesthetic, often featuring high-end complications and meticulous finishing. Omega continues to lead with innovations like Master Chronometer certification, METAS testing, and antimagnetic technology—ensuring that its watches are not just beautiful, but built for the demands of modern life.