Omega Speedmaster Alaska Project 311.32.42.30.04.001

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A modern re-edition of 1970 pieces heavily based on Omega’s Alaska Project prototype, the Alaska Project retains several distinguishing characteristics from the original including the bright red chronograph hand and protective thermal shield.

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This is the Omega Speedmaster Alaska Project 311.32.42.30.04.001. Likely the model that’s most associated with the Omega brand, this iconic chronograph was introduced in 1957. Originally powered by the legendary Calibre 321, the Omega Speedmaster was famously utilized by astronauts on space missions who needed a watch that could withstand the conditions of outer space and in 1964, only the Speedmaster passed the rigorous selection criteria. Adored by new collectors all the way to aficionados, the model has undoubtedly become the flagship of the brand ever since.

Named after the original Alaska Project prototype powered by the famous cal. 861, the first Alaska Project was characterized by the red protective outer case in titanium. It was then later introduced as the Alaska II as a much more wearable wristwatch that also ran on the 861 with the red anodized aluminum outer case but this time in stainless steel and this reference formed the basis of the final Alaska Project re-issue of 1970 pieces in 2008.

At first glance, the re-issue Alaska Project looks highly similar to the original Alaska II, incorporating features such as black rocket hands on the subdials and a bright red chronograph hand that contrasts the albino coloured dial. The re-issue also features several modern upgrades such as an updated cal. 1861 movement and Superluminova instead of tritium. Yet the most distinctive feature of the Alaska Project is the one that is probably never seen on the wrist - the protective anodized case that is meant to protect the watch from a range of extreme temperatures from -148C on the moon to +260C on the sun.

While Omega has incorporated several tributes into modern-day limited editions, the Alaska Project is one of the most distinctive given the albino-coloured dial and the red anodized thermal shield. While it’s easy to get confused by the plethora of modern Speedmaster variants, some re-issues like the Alaska Project stand out. Even though the Alaska Project never made it to the moon as NASA never proceeded with their original planned missions, it’s nice to see Omega pay tribute to a design from their past that is both unique and utilitarian.