Omega Speedmaster 'Fraction Of A Second'

1968 Omega "Exciting world of the fraction of a second" Speedmaster Chronograph

The Speedmaster wasn’t always The Moonwatch...

This one-of-a-kind, full-color, slightly oversized ad is noteworthy because it doesn’t mention NASA. As early as 1966, Omega advertising campaigns incorporated astronauts and space imagery, so you think they’d milk the connection.

But for this 1968 ad, Omega chose to focus not on where the watch had been, but rather on what the watch was actually intended for - calculating the speed of a race car.

The Speedmaster was never destined for the outreaches of space. In fact, its purpose was to be a do-all sporting chronograph. With this in mind, reading between lines of the ad hints at different bezel options available in order to market the piece to as wide an audience as possible: decimal for engineers, tachymetric for sportsmen and pulsations for physicians.

Pretty neat. 

Nowadays, especially with the 50th Anniversary of the moon landing having occurred recently, this ad provides a curious context, as it reminds us that the Speedmaster had a life and a goal long before it rocketed into orbit.

Taking advantage of the thicker, glossy paper this ad is framed very minimally with the ad adhered to a fresh white background recessed into a thin, black metal frame. 

About our collaboration with Ad Patina

We're thrilled to be collaborating with our longtime friends at Ad Patina to bring you a selection of the most-popular and rare vintage watch advertisements curated specifically for Analog/Shift!

Scouring the world for forgotten marketing treasures, Ad Patina's raison de être very much mimics our own - to hunt down these wonderful bits of history, preserve and restore them as needed, and share them with an enthusiastic community.

These documents of horological history have entered the watch collecting conversation as the ultimate accompanying accessory, and have found themselves framed in homes and offices around the world. Every one of these wonderful pieces is a genuine, vintage advertisement that has been professionally mounted and framed with UV resistant glass to ensure years of enjoyment to come - no reprints or reproductions here!

Much like a traditional piece of art - a painting or photograph - an original watch advertisement can be appreciated for its design as well as for its power to evoke nostalgia.

Something we vintage watch enthusiasts know all about!

Our Pledge

Analog:Shift stands behind the authenticity of our products in perpetuity.

Condition

Since our pieces are vintage or pre-owned, please expect wear & patina from usage and age. Please read each item description and examine all product images.

Warranty

We back each Analog:Shift vintage timepiece with a one-year mechanical warranty from the date of purchase.

International Buyers

Please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.

All of our watches include complementary insured shipping within the 50 states.

Most of our products are on hand and will ship directly from our headquarters in New York City. In some cases, watches will be shipped directly from one of our authorized partners.

We generally ship our products via FedEx, fully insured, within 5 business days of purchase. An adult signature is required for receipt of all packages for insurance purposes. Expedited shipping is available at an additional cost. We are also happy to hand deliver your purchase in Manhattan or you may pick it up at our showroom.

Returns must be sent overnight or by priority international delivery, fully insured and paid for by the customer. A restocking fee may apply. Watches must be returned in the same condition as initially shipped.

We welcome international buyers, please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.