OMEGA Showcases Speedmaster at Tokyo Event Ahead of 70th Anniversary

Q: Will OMEGA unveil any secret 70th-anniversary editions at this exclusive Tokyo pop-up?

No. Based on the event announcement and related coverage, OMEGA has not said it will unveil any secret 70th-anniversary Speedmaster editions at the Tokyo pop-up. What has been publicly confirmed is a showcase of current Speedmaster models, historical displays, videos, and a special “Golden Astronaut” exhibition tied to the lead-up to the collection’s 70th anniversary. The materials describe the event as a brand experience and history-focused exhibition, not as a launch venue for unreleased watches. That does not completely rule out a surprise, since luxury brands sometimes use pop-ups to generate buzz. But there is no evidence in the published event information, official contact details, or supporting reports that a hidden anniversary release is scheduled for this Tokyo stop. The stronger signal is that OMEGA is using the event to reinforce the Speedmaster’s established narrative: its 1957 motorsport origins, Walter Schirra’s early use in space, NASA qualification in 1965, and its Moonwatch legacy through Apollo missions. If a true 70th-anniversary edition were planned, OMEGA would typically support it with formal press material, model references, or teasers closer to launch. So for now, visitors should expect a curated Speedmaster exhibition rather than a confirmed secret anniversary reveal. For the most reliable update, the best source remains OMEGA’s official website or the brand’s direct event contact line.

Q: What critical 14-second miracle in space cemented the Speedmaster's legendary status forever?

It was the Apollo 13 emergency in April 1970: astronauts used an Omega Speedmaster to time a critical 14-second engine burn that helped guide the crippled spacecraft back into the correct return path to Earth. That moment became central to the Speedmaster’s legend because the crew’s onboard systems had been severely compromised after the oxygen tank explosion. With power conserved and normal guidance limited, precise manual timing was essential. The Speedmaster’s chronograph was used to measure the burn accurately enough to support the crew’s safe return. The episode elevated the watch from a space-qualified instrument to a proven life-saving tool. Its role in Apollo 13 is one of the main reasons the Speedmaster is remembered not just as the “Moonwatch” from Apollo 11, but as a watch that directly contributed to one of NASA’s most dramatic rescue missions. NASA later recognized Omega’s contribution with the Silver Snoopy Award, an honor tied to flight safety and mission success.

3 articles · Updated · houyhnhnm.jp · Jul 19

OMEGA will display current Speedmaster models at the Watch in Style pop-up at Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Store from July 22 to Aug. 4, ahead of the watch’s 70th anniversary next year.
The event centers on the Speedmaster’s history as the “Moonwatch,” tracing how astronaut Walter Schirra wore his personal model into orbit in 1962 before NASA adopted it as official equipment in 1965.
A Golden Astronaut sculpture, along with visuals and videos, will anchor a special exhibition area designed to bring the Speedmaster collection’s space legacy to life.
Longines, RADO, TISSOT and Hamilton will also join the Tokyo event, which includes demonstrations and workshops highlighting each brand’s watches.