Let me get started by saying that the original Ed White Speedmaster (105.003) is my grail watch. I am a vintage Speedmaster purist but this watch had me converted to the modern reissue gang pretty quickly. This straight lug case and simpler dial were such big selling points. Until Omega CEO Ray Ray comes to his senses and makes a true Ed White reissue then the Omega Speedmaster First Omega In Space (FOIS) is as close as I am going to get.

It is a gorgeous watch for sure and can seem a bit more wearable than the standard speedmaster, even though the size difference is almost negligible. It houses the legendary 1861 manual wind chronograph movement that has remained pretty much unchanged for decades so don’t expect hacking seconds or any modern technology. You aren’t buying this watch to be in the present. You are buying it to be connected to the past.

Like all Speedmasters, it is going to wear a bit thick but you get used to it pretty quickly. Except when you strap it on a NATO and then you are going to know what a thick watch is really all about. It doesn’t come on a bracelet and the weird 19mm lug width will leave you with fewer options than normal. You will be limited to natos and leather straps. Although it is all worth it for the end look it achieves on the watch.

Even though this is a reissue of the CK 2998 they did screw up on a few things that will be obvious to the vintage die hards. The first thing that annoyed me was the modern font and logo on the dial. This could have been an easy win as they did the non-professional dial right on another vintage re-issue speedy. The running seconds hand should be the same as the other subdials. I don’t know what they were thinking with this one. Finally they should have made this with plexi or at least had that option available.

All in all, the Omega Speedmaster First Omega In Space is an amazing watch and perfect for people who are looking for something off the normal Speedmaster beaten path.