Omega Speedmaster 'Would NASA select second best?"

'Would NASA Select Second Best?'

The 1969 Moon landings were a public relations coup for Omega — and how could they not be? The first men to walk on the lunar surface were wearing Omega Speedmasters. (Well, one was — the other left his in the landing module.) And as this 1970 advertisement thoughtfully points out, these were no specialized, souped-up, space-going models; rather, they were the same ordinary Omega chronographs that anyone could purchase in the local jewelry store. If these watches were good enough for NASA, then they were certainly good enough for the watch-buying public at large.

Beautifully composed and executed in deep blue and black tones, this vintage Speedy ad calls to mind the blackness of space and the desolation of the lunar surface, forever associating them with the chronograph that has become perhaps the most famous wrist-borne stopwatch in history.

This great ad from Ad Patina is presented in a 14” x 17” natural wood frame with an opaque black painted finish. It features a custom-measured, hand-cut 4-ply border in a shade of white, complimenting all the ad tones. Every material used is acid-free and the glass is anti-reflective and offers UV-protection to keep this precious ad preserved no matter where you decide to hang it up. Speaking of which, hanging your newly purchased ad is a seamless task, as this particular frame comes with an additional hanging wire and felt pads for wall protection.  

This 1970s ad is the perfect addition to any wall space or book shelf and will most certainly inspire you to keep learning about and collecting Speedmasters.

PS: Here’s a little easter egg — look closely, you’ll notice a price of $195 for the Speedmaster in question. Those were the days …

About our collaboration with Ad Patina

We're thrilled to be collaborating once again with our longtime friend Nick at Ad Patina to bring you a selection of the most-popular and hard to find original vintage magazine 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 and advertising history have entered the collecting conversation as the ultimate accompanying accessory to go along with hobbies and passions. They 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 framed 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 advertisement can be appreciated for its design as well as for its power to evoke nostalgia. Something vintage 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.