It was a tremendous achievement, especially so considering that the first manmade satellite was sent into orbit less than twelve years earlier. The manual winding speedmaster professional or moonwatch is the bestknown and longestproduced. Dave scotts personal bulova chronograph worn on the moon. Omega speedmaster professional moonwatch all prices for. A moon watch story the extraordinary destiny of the.
Throughout its legendary history, the omega speedmaster has been worn and trusted on all six moon landings. Below the words omega speedmaster professional on the dial, the legend 02. For well over half a century, the omega speedmaster has witnessed events that have tested the limits of physical endurance and human courage, including the first manned moon landing in july 1969 and every lunar mission since that time. The omega speedmaster professional moonwatch is a historical, significant piece of horology and nasa space moon exploration that you can wear on your wrist. Theres also that little tidbit about the speedmaster as being the first watch worn out on the moon aldrins st105. Omega speedmaster chronograph first watch worn on the moon. The omega speedmaster professional the moonwatch has done things that no other timepiece has done and its been worn in places that only a. Omega speedmaster prices rocket as 50th anniversary of. In 1962, nasa astronaut walter wally schirra wore his omega speedmaster ck2998 in space.
Discover the omega speedmaster moonwatch calibre 321. This model is not only famous for its unusual hand shape but also for that placement of its tachymeter scale on the bezel a rarity at the time. The three major contenders for nasas use were longines, rolex, and omega. The omega speedmaster professional moonwatch is a modern reissue of the omega 1861 calibre manualwinding chronograph movement that was worn on the moon by each of the apollo astronauts from the 11th mission. The brochures photo above was not meant to depict the watch on sale, but rather illustrate the story of how the bulova came to be worn. The last of those missions was apollo 17, which touched down in 1972. The story of the moonwatch omega speedmaster history. This is the watch that has been to places where no man has been speedmaster the dark side of the moon.
Speedmaster apollo 11 50th anniversary limited edition. But theres a lot more to omega among the bestknown luxury watch brands on the planet, and certainly the best known off the planet than its lunar. It remains one of the most famous chronographs in the world and is still used by nasa for their manned space missions. I purchased a omega speed master professional moonwatch from this company and received a authentic watch as promised. Minutes later, buzz aldrin emerged wearing his omega professional speedmaster, the first watch worn on the moon. The first speedmaster professional ck2915, also called the broad arrow due to its hour hand, first appeared on the market in 1957. The speedmaster only drew the attention of nasa in 1962. The first watch worn on the moon omega seamaster moon watch. Dec 26, 2016 the omega speedmaster professional moonwatch is a modern reissue of the omega 1861 calibre manualwinding chronograph movement that was worn on the moon by each of the apollo astronauts from the 11th mission onwards. Limited edition watches the first manned lunar landing on the 20th of july, 1969 was the greatest, most dramatic scientific achievement in human history. The speedmaster professional skywalker x33 pic 318. Actual closest speedmaster to the original moonwatch.
The speedmaster moonwatch went to the moon, but since apollo its been a lot of other places as well. Look at the steps below to help determine if your watch is real or counterfeit. The omega speedmaster professional chronograph has a unique place in the history of space exploration as the only piece of equipment to have been used in all of nasas manned space missions from. The straight lugs and thin bevel between the top and the sides are directly inspired by ck2998, and were a common feature of early premoon speedmasters, until omega decided to adopt asymmetrical twisted lugs after 1964 with the appearance of the speedmaster.
Omega speedmaster professional and first watch worn on the moon, while the previous models stated. Early in the 1960s a nasa employee anonymously bought a selection of potential space watches. Evolution of omegas moon watch, hub the business times. Known as the first watch on the moon, the speedmaster began its career in space exploration with wally schirras mercury atlas 8 mission in 1962. And that, friends, in this heretodaygonetomorrow world, is kind of a wonderful thing. While all three astronauts on apollo 11 wore an omega speedmaster, the space ship commander neil. Oct 03, 2015 scott noticed that the speedmaster s crystal was gone while he was back in the lm between eva2 and eva3. But thats also because he was around when the calibre 321 had its most incredible outing in the speedmaster st 105. The omega speedmaster professional moonwatch is a historical, significant piece of horology and nasa spacemoon exploration that you can wear on your. Probably the most famous of all space watches, the omega speedmaster was qualified by nasa in 1965 for all manned space missions. The astronauts kept pushing for something like an official watch that could be.
Before the ck2915, this scale had always been located around the edge of the dial in chronographs. Initially designed for automobile racing teams and engineers, the omega speedmaster embarked on a very different trajectory when nasa chose it to accompany astronauts heading for the moon in 1965. It was, for example, a clever idea to release an allblack edition of the moonwatch called the dark side of the moon after the pink floyd album. I took it to a omega dealer and it was a 2014 new in the box watch and completely checked out and i even confirmed the serial numbers with omega. Why omega considers that such a big deal is beyond me. Jan 31, 2020 the omega speedmaster professional the moonwatch has done things that no other timepiece has done and its been worn in places that only a few human beings have been. Captain eugene cernan, last man on the moon there are very few timepieces in the world that deserve a definitive and comprehensive book such as this one. Omega speedmaster, buy moonwatch professional watches.
Jul 22, 2019 it is the first to use omegas reissued calibre 321 chronograph movement. Omega speedmaster professional moonwatch, space race. These were chronographs by the most well known watch brands, the omega speedmaster was the only one to pass its stringent tests. Like the fantastic speedmaster mk2, which is one of the bestlooking watches i have ever worn. The pulsar pt3609x1 is an affordable omega speedmaster homage. The story of the omega speedmaster professional moonwatch, nasa, and the space race. The three omega speedmaster references that were worn on.
It was the first watch to be worn on the moon when buzz aldrin famously landed there in 1969 early in. May 19, 2018 when neil armstrong became the first human to step on the moon on july 21, 1969 at 2. At some point in the early 1990s omega changed the inscription of the c. I purchased a omega speed master professional moonwatch from this company. Omega speedmaster professional moon chronograph mens watch. From 1975 comes an omega apollosoyuz speedmaster st145. Jul 19, 2019 first up is an omega speedmaster professional 145. This was a private purchase and had nothing to do with nasa. The first watch to be worn on the moon was an omega speedmaster, but it wasnt on the wrist of the first man to land on the moon. The original 321 powered the first speedmaster made in 1957, and was used a variety of spacebound models including the speedmaster st 105. The omega speedmaster professional chronograph has a unique place in the history of space exploration as the only piece of equipment to have been used in all of nasas manned space missions. It is reliable, timeless, and as of june 1969 the first watch to be worn on the moon hence its name. It was, for example, a clever idea to release an allblack edition of the.
Omega is a swiss made watch based in bielbienne, switzerland. It was the first watch worn on the moon, houses the robust manual caliber 321, and uses plexiglass thats shatterproof under low pressure. Along with its popularity, it has attracted many reproductions. The brochures photo above was not meant to depict the watch on sale, but rather illustrate the. The omega speedmaster moonwatch is renowned for its elegant design and precise craftsmanship. The omega speedmaster professional was chosen by nasa for the u. After years of indepth study and the acquisition of several dozen speedmasters, we felt we should share with neophyte collectors what we had learned and so help them identify the different versions and their components, avoid the pitfalls and sharpen their observation. Edwin buzz aldrin wore his omega speedmaster as he joined armstrong on the lunar surface, making it the first watch ever worn on the moon. While all three astronauts on apollo 11 wore an omega speedmaster, the space ship commander neil armstrong left his in the space ship when he became the first man to set foot on the moon on april 20, 1969. The extraordinary story of the legendary and timeless omega speedmaster moonwatch that took part in conquering the moon. Here is some more of the backstory behind the iconic watch.
An interesting trivia piece is, according to my research, it was the first watch on the moon worn by the second man on the moon. Rare omega speedmaster watches surface on the eve of first. Jul 23, 2019 but thats also because he was around when the calibre 321 had its most incredible outing in the speedmaster st 105. The first and only watch worn on the moon swi swissinfo. When wearing an omega speedmaster professional, you enjoy a timepiece associated with quality and endurance. The omega speedmaster is not only one of only a few mechanical watches still qualified by nasa for use in space travel, but also the only one qualified as such for eva. Omega speedmaster professional moonwatch outstanding. Found actual pictures actually showing the speedmaster professional actually being used for eva, today well, in 2014. The watch isnt your average omega, with special design features for it to be. As successful as the constellations were, their flagship status for the brand received competition in 1969 when the speedmaster professional became the first watch worn on the moon. Now, after two years meticulous research and reconstruction in secret the code name for this project was alaska 11, omega has revived the. Later in the same year, the omega speedmaster mark ii was born. It is the first to use omegas reissued calibre 321 chronograph movement. We often get the question of which speedmaster models have been worn on the moon.
It was a tremendous achievement, especially so considering that the first manmade satellite was. Dec 10, 2019 in this 50th anniversary year of the apollo 11 moon landing, youve probably been hearing a lot about the first watch worn on the moon, the nowlegendary omega speedmaster professional. Apr 16, 2008 the omega speedmaster professional chronograph has a unique place in the history of space exploration as the only piece of equipment to have been used in all of nasas manned space missions from. Neil armstrong stepped onto the moons surface at 02. Thats one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind. As such, the obvious choice for the 125th anniversary watch was a speedmaster. Buzz aldrin was 15 minutes behind him and the speedmaster professional became the first watch to be worn on the moon. T he omega speedmaster professional moonwatch is among the most famous historic watches of all times, and it still happens to be produced today. The straight lugs and thin bevel between the top and the sides are directly inspired by ck2998, and were a common feature of early pre moon speedmasters, until omega decided to adopt asymmetrical twisted lugs after 1964 with the appearance of the speedmaster professional. It has also been the watch worn by james bond since 1995.
For well over half a century, the omega speedmaster has witnessed events that have tested the limits of physical endurance and human courage, including the first manned moon landing in july 1969 and. For the 45th anniversary, omega has produced two captivating limited edition models which pay tribute to the mission and its commander, eugene cernan. The omega speedmaster was designed as a sports chronograph with a tachymeter bezel for calculating speed. While rolex has also spent time in space via their gmt model the speedmaster was the first watch on the moon and used to help time rocket burns. The omega speedmaster 125, introduced in 1973 to celebrate 125 years since omegas foundation, is the worlds first chronometercertified automatic chronograph watch. The omega speedmaster is one of a handful of watches that can truly be called iconic. Omega speedmaster professional grey side of the moon chronograph automatic sandblasted platinum dial grey. The omega speedmaster professional moonwatch swatch group. Somehow, people think the caliber 861 speedmaster professional 145. What makes the first omega in space such a distinctive speedmaster is the symmetry of the design. The aforementioned speedmaster was worn by russian cosmonaut gennady padalka, whos spent a record 879 days in space.
Omega speedmaster professional moonwatch, space race page 2. Omega was worn by nasa and was the first watch on the moon in 1969. The omega speedmaster was given the moonwatch as it was the first watch worn on the moon walk mission in the apollo 11 mission. Apollo xi speedmaster and first watch worn on the moon. The stainless steel case is 45mm and water resistant to 100m 330ft. Omega speedmaster, first watch on the moon posted on november 2, 2014 the speedmaster omega coaxial chronograph will forever be known by its nickname of the moonwatch for good reasondebuting over half a century ago, it has been a regular timepiece on all six apollo lunar landings and was the first, and only, type of watch to be worn. However, some of the minor tweak models are a little bit over the top. So yes, speedmaster professionals are to this day still being worn in outer space, and for eva just like they were back in, you know, the day. As a result it was the first watch worn on the moon.
It was the first watch to be worn on the moon when buzz aldrin famously landed there in 1969. With the speedmaster being the only watch that would pass the tests. The omega speedmaster professional moonwatch is one of them. In addition to this digital model, many astronauts still turn to an analog version of the speedmaster. Scant attention was given to a watch that was worn on the moon exactly 40 years ago but it has become one of the classics of swiss watchmaking the omega speedmaster. Omega speedmaster history part 1 the early premoons. The speedmaster was introduced in 1957 and was popular among race car drivers and pilots. Personal insights first omega in space fois ref 311. The 40th anniversary limited editions dial is protected by hesalite, the same robust, shatterproof acrylic crystal found on the original moonwatch. Powered by the reborn calibre 321, omega s speedmaster moonwatch in stainless steel is a watch steeped in space history. Omega speedmaster prices rocket as 50th anniversary of moon.
It derives the name from its legacy as the first watch on the moon during the 1969 apollo 11 mission. The omega speedmaster professional was the first watch on the moon and therefore enjoys its iconic status as the moonwatch. The actual closest is the omega speedmaster professional 311. Scott noticed that the speedmasters crystal was gone while he was back in the lm between eva2 and eva3. Wally schirra but also gordon cooper on mercury 9 one of the first american astronauts, wore its own omega speedmaster ck2998 on a mercury flight, october 3rd, 1962. Neil armstrong exited the craft as the first man to step foot on the moon. Nineteen minutes later he was joined by buzz aldrin, who was wearing his omega speedmaster and a legend was.
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