Originally published in International Wristwatch Number 62, December 2002 July 20, 1969 is without doubt one of the most significant dates in the history of the storied Omega Watch Company of Bienne, Switzerland. Carried into space and worn on the moon by NASA astronaut Edwin �Buzz� Aldrin on that date, Omega�s Speedmaster Professional chronograph became the first (and, Omega has claimed, only) watch to be worn on the surface of the moon. Other reporters and horological historians have, in great detail, chronicled the association of the Speedmaster with NASA, and the successful marketing that has ensued. This article focuses on a single Speedmaster model: the remarkable watch introduced by Omega in late 1969 to commemorate the historic Apollo XI mission to the moon. The First of its Kind The 1969 Commemorative Speedmaster, model BA 145.022-69, was the first Speedmaster ever made of gold. Aside from the case material, the only differences between it and the NASA-issue Speedmasters are the gold dial, burgundy bezel, and the inscriptions on the back.

Its heart is the same Calibre 861 as the steel model; the same as Omegas worn by NASA astronauts from 1969 until the revised Calibre 1861 became the standard movement in the Speedmaster �Moon Watch� in the mid-1990s. . Initially, the Apollo XI Commemorative �was offered to each of the astronauts active at that time at a gala dinner November 25, 1969 at Hotel Warwick in Houston.� The first thirty watches were, according to John Diethelm of Omega Public Relations, �created in tribute to the sensational exploit of Man's first landing on the Moon.� Numbers 3 through 28 were personalized and presented to astronauts in NASA�s space program. The lower numbers were reserved for those astronauts who had been with NASA the longest. Each of these first 30 watches was inscribed with the slogan: to mark man�s conquest of space with time, through time, on time Additionally, the astronaut�s watches were inscribed with their name and rank (if any), and the names of the missions which they had flown to date.

( Click here to see a list of recipients of watches and the historic events in which they participated.) The watches numbered 1 and 2 in the series, having been refused by their intended recipients, presently reside in the Omega museum in Switzerland. Number two was created for then-Vice President Spiro T. Agnew. Number one was intended for then-President of the United States Richard M. Nixon. Each of these was inscribed with the man�s title in place of the space mission information found on the astronaut watches. Omega intended to take this historic opportunity to follow a precedent set by other Swiss watchmakers. Several Swiss houses had previously made a gift of a timepiece to an American president and capitalized on the presidential ownership. Revue-Thommen markets its Cricket alarm watch as that worn by Lyndon B. Johnson. Rolex�s �President� day-date model is reputedly so-named because it was the watch worn by Dwight D. Eisenhower. Similarly, an example of Jaeger-LeCoultre�s Atmos clock is routinely presented to foreign dignitaries during their official visits to Switzerland. The saga of Omega�s premier solid gold Speedmaster Professional does not end with the watches delivered in 1969 to these noteworthy personalities.

According to an Antiquorum auction catalog from their October 1995 sale in Geneva, �an initial series of 50 to 100 pieces was produced, followed by subsequent series until a total of 1014 pieces was reached in 1973. Correspondence with Omega revealed that they offered a small series for sale to the public early in 1970 which, due to unexpected demand, was expanded to the entire production of 1014 watches, all made in 1969. A run of the later numbers (Nos. 1001 to 1008) was given in 1972 to astronauts from Apollo 14, 15, 16 and 17. As Mr. Diethelm indicated, all the others, �up to N� 1014, have been sold or distributed for very special occasions.� The watches that were sold to the public are identical to the others but for the engraving.

The inscription on the caseback was changed to read: OMEGA SPEEDMASTER THE FIRST WATCH WORN ON THE MOON (edition serial #) Those who are familiar with the caseback of the post-Apollo XI steel Speedmaster Professional series will recognize this as the precursor to the engraving found there. Other information obtained from Omega suggests that the watches sold to the public did not all bear this second engraved message. Contrary to other accounts of this model, Mr. Diethelm indicated that watches �from No. 31 up to No. 745, then from 747 until 1014�have been sold under normal conditions.� This excludes numbers 1001 through 1008 which, as previously mentioned, had been given to another group of astronauts. Mr. Diethelm�s correspondence accounts for all of the pieces presented except for two: No. 30, given to John M. Updegraph and No. 746, which was given, according to Omega archives, to a certain Mr. Rene K. Ruepp. The significance of these gifts is unknown. Oddly, another watch, No.

221, was recently found to have been made with the same inscription as the astronaut presentation watches. Omega was contacted by the current owner of the watch but they were unable to tell him to whom the watch was presented. They did, however, confirm that the special inscription was intentional, thus opening the question of how many more undocumented examples exist with the same engraving. The visual impact of the watch is significantly different than that of its cousin the steel Moon Watch. The black-dial, steel-case chronograph is, by today�s standards, a relatively common watch. The 1990s boom in popularity of white metals and chronographs has made the steel mechanical chronograph a somewhat ordinary item, worn by dedicated collectors, sportsmen and fashion-conscious men and women on all continents. The Apollo XI 18k Speedmaster, however, has several features that distinguish it from the mass of chronos seen on the wrists of the world. By virtue of being a solid gold watch with a large case and massive bracelet (the total weight of the watch and bracelet is a spectacular 5.8 ounces), this watch catches one�s eye.

The distinctive case shape and bomb� lugs are immediately recognizable as those of an Omega Speedmaster, but subtle differences draw one closer. Every other Speedmaster to date had been issued with either the engraved steel bezel of the original models or the familiar black bezel of the later models, including the NASA-certified Speedmasters. This model, however, included a tachymetric bezel of a burgundy color--a lovely complement to the yellow gold case and an idea replicated on a later Mark II Speedmaster with gold-plated case. Equally eye-catching is the striking gold dial. The engine-turned sub-dials and script common to all Speedmasters are there, but for the first time Omega created a �dressy� dial for the previously instrument-like Speedmaster. The Apollo commemorative dial features several textures, giving it a two- or even three-tone effect. The majority of the dial surface is vertically brushed, while the sub-dials are concentrically grooved and surrounded by a beveled edge containing the registers� chapter rings. The entire dial is bordered by another beveled ring printed with a chronograph seconds chapter divided into fifths of a second.

The hands are black lacquered and the markers are raised gold rectangles, beveled and filled with black lacquer as well. Two subtle touches are the applied gold Omega logo (reminiscent of the applied silver logo on the pre-moon Cal. 321 Speedmasters) and the letters �OM� printed twice at the bottom of the dial. Speedmasters from 1964 onward, which used Tritium in the luminous material on hands and dial markers, display the letter �T� at the bottom of the dial on either side of the text �SWISS MADE.� The presence of �OM� on an Omega dial denotes Or Massif, the French phrase for �solid gold.� Collector�s Information In 1970 the suggested retail price of the 18k Speedmaster offered to the public was 3,917 Swiss francs (approx. $1,340 at the time, compared with $185 for the standard steel model). A survey of prices on the secondary market revealed that examples of these collectible watches are indeed available, but for a premium.

Late in 1999 a retailer in Germany sold one on leather straps for approximately $5,200 and on eBay in October 2002 a similar piece sold for $5,600. An example with the original bracelet was offered in January 2000 by a reputable American dealer for $7,350. These prices appear to be in line with other examples recently attained by private sellers and auction houses. The prices for watches owned by celebrities, however, tend to be three to four times higher than the prices for the rest of the series. In October 1995, the horological auction house Antiquorum offered the watch belonging to Astronaut Charles M. Duke as lot number 470. This watch, number 1005 of the series, was estimated to sell for between 20,000 and 25,000 Swiss francs. The hammer price was 19,500 Swiss francs, roughly $17,300 in 1995 US dollars.

Another notable offering was at Christie�s East in New York City, where the venerable auction house offered a once-in-a-lifetime array of items pertaining to Space Exploration. Lot number 2, Astronaut Donald K. "Deke" Slayton's 18k Omega Speedmaster watch (No. 27) with bracelet, sold for $28,750. The pre-sale estimate was $8,000-12,000. Needless to say, the first-ever 18k Gold Speedmaster is a desirable item to collectors of Omega and other watches, as well as collectors of �Space Race� memorabilia. Another of the astronaut-issued 18k Speedmasters was recently sold through an on-line auction. This watch, which was presented to the widow of Ed White and, therefore, was never personally owned by the famous astronaut, fetched a price in the nieghborhgood of $15,000 indicating that perhaps there is a premium which savvy collectors are willing to pay for provenance that involves the actual historical figure named on the watch.

ADDENDA:In 2005, several fine specimens of BA 145.022 came on the market at prices over $10,000. Two were sold by Antiquorum for $12k-15K including Lot 294 of their March 23 sale, which fetched $13,800 including buyer's premium. Lot 245 in Antiquorum's July 10 sale went even higher, selling for 126,500HKD (over $15,000 US). Two others were offered via eBay and other on-line sales venues for prices ranging from around $12,000 to more than $17,000. Clearly, the market is active where fine examples are concerned. In 2007, Antiquorum's "Omegamania" auction featured two BA 122.045s which sold for $25,000-$50,000. Interested readers should visit antiquorum.com for auction results.-CBJ Collectors should be aware that these watches are sometimes found on the secondary market in other than original condition.

Available information pertaining to these watches has been inconsistent, and the seller of a watch of this series may not know exactly what he has, so be aware that unintentional misrepresentation of these watches can occur easily. A simple example is that while there were 36 watches personally inscribed and intended for US government and NASA dignitaries, numbers 31-36 of the series were available to members of the public, thus a watch marked as number 31 was not created for an astronaut. The astronauts� watches will be so inscribed and a potential buyer should be aware of this and not be swayed by unintentional misinformation. It is important to note that several of the examples seen on the market in recent years have had the original red bezel replaced with the common black one or even with a bezel set with diamonds. When asked about the correct bezel for this series, Mr. Diethelm replied �all these watches were having a red bezel. The very same watch but with a black bezel (still available) was therefore made for �civilian� sales after the Number 1014 was handed-over.� Note that later solid gold Speedmasters also have a different dial. Mr.

Diethelm further stated that �the 18K solid gold watch BA 145.022 was in fact always having the matching 18K solid gold bracelet.� A couple of different bracelets were delivered with these watches, one that is perhaps the most common is marked 1116/575 on the underside of the clasp. A difference of more than $2,000 can be found in the market prices of watches of similar condition depending upon the presence of the original bracelet. The presence of original boxes and papers is important to many collectors. This model was delivered in a box decorated to look like moon rocks, my own experience over the last four years has revealed that these boxes are scarce; the collector is probably well advised to seek the watch and box separately. Current values for such boxes are unknown. . Speedmaster Evolution During the 1970s, when the public�s desire for large, tonneau (barrel-shaped) watches was peaking, Omega made several additions to the Speedmaster line.

The �Mark Series� (Marks II, III and IV), non-Professional automatic models, tuning-fork and quartz electric models and limited editions with various complications have followed in the earthly footsteps of the popular moon watch. Among them, only a handful have utilized yellow gold, and only a couple of designs have included a red tachymetric bezel. The tonneau-shaped Mark II (MD 145.034, gold-plated, 1970; BA 145.0014, 18k gold, ca. 1972) and the Speedsonic with tuning-fork movement (MD 188.0002, gold-plated, 1973)) were issued with the red tachymetric scale that is covered by the crystal, unlike the exterior bezel of the 145.022 design. Other Speedmasters, including these, have been made with gold-colored dials but no other watch has been made with a dial exactly like the original from 1969.

The next time Omega saw fit to create a solid gold Speedmaster Professional of the classic shape was to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Apollo XI in 1979. Versions in both yellow gold (BA 345.0802) and white gold (BA 145.0039) were made available, each with a transparent caseback allowing a view of the Calibre 863, an improved Cal. 861. The white gold version was sold with a white gold dial and leather straps. The yellow gold version with yellow gold dial was available with matching gold bracelet. It interesting to note that both dials are marked simply �SWISS MADE.� Though it is obvious that no luminous materials were employed on the hands or markers, it leaves the observer to wonder whether each dial is indeed made of gold. Production numbers for these models were not available when I made my request. Interestingly, though Omega has produced many versions of the Speedmaster Professional and non-Professional models with designs most unlike that of the original �Moon Watch,� only one of their solid gold models has strayed from the original shape (BA 145.0014).

The two early-70s gold-plated models are noteworthy because they are unusual among Speedmasters, but they are not overly valuable except for their comparative rarity. The remainder of the gold models have been made very much in the image of the original Speedmaster that survived NASA testing, multiple space missions, and the decline in popularity of mechanical watches due to the advent of quartz technology. The Speedmaster line, in all its forms, seems destined to survive indefinitely. To view more images on this topic, Click here . For more watch articles by C. Bradley Jacobs, visit: Text and images: �2008 C. Bradley Jacobs and WatchCarefully.com, unless otherwise credited The only watch worn on the moon! - Speedy Watches Speedy Watches Posted on April 4, 2002 by Speed Master The OMEGA Speedmaster Professional Chronograph has the unique claim of being the only watch to survive NASA’s two-year programme of extreme tests to find a chronograph suitable for its astronauts on their space missions.

As a result, it was the first – and until now only – watch ever to be worn on the moon, when Man landed there on 21 July 1969 at 02:56.20 GMT. The latest incarnation of this legendary watch has a scratch-resistant sapphire case back and crystal. April 4th 2002 – read more below the gallery Omega Speedmaster Professional 3573.50.00 Only thanks to OMEGA’s considerable expertise in watchmaking did the Speedmaster Chronograph pass NASA’s stringent tests to be flight-qualified for all manned spaceflight missions. The key to its success were the small trade secrets used in the movement design, as well as the top quality components used in the manufacture of the watch, such as the highly resistant acrylic crystal used on the original model – a crucial component on the watch that proved a stumbling block for its main competitors in the two-year tests in 1964/65. One of the biggest advantages of this crystal for use in space is that if it is broken or smashed, it does not shatter into tiny pieces.

This is important, since such tiny fragments of glass floating around in zero gravity would represent a considerable safety risk. The movement calibre 861 that equipped the original Speedmasters is still used in the collection today. Though, like all OMEGA movements, it employs the very latest technical standards, it still retains its original design. This is hardly surprising, since this calibre is one of the masterpieces in watchmaking history. The fact that the Speedmaster Professional Chronograph is still today qualified for extra-vehicular activity by NASA and chosen for the same purpose by the Russian space agency is testament enough to the extraordinary reliability of this movement, found in the Speedmaster Professional today as calibre 1863: a manual winding chronograph with a power reserve of 45 hours. The hand winding chronograph is the only suitable mechanism for extra-vehicular use, since the functioning of the rotor in a self-winding movement would be compromised in the vacuum of outer space.

The design of the “Moon Watch” retains the same classic look it had in the 1960s, with its black dial with luminous hour markers, luminous hands and stainless steel bezel with a black aluminium ring bearing the tachymeter scale, which allows calculation of the speed of a moving vehicle or the hourly output of a machine. The Speedmaster Professional line is enhanced by a version with a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal and transparent sapphire crystal case back, revealing the movement in all its glory and bearing the inscription “The First and Only Watch Worn on the Moon”. This exclusive timepiece is water resistant to 30 metres and is available with a stainless steel bracelet with safety clasp or a black alligator leather strap with foldover clasp. The Speedmaster Professional Chronograph’s less-famous claim to fame is that was also the last watch to be worn on the moon, leaving the Earth’s natural satellite with the Apollo XVII mission for the last time at 22:54:37 GMT on 14 December 1972.

As we prepare to celebrate the 30th anniversary of this historic event, the Speedmaster legend is still going strong, with the commander of the final Apollo mission, Capt. Eugene Cernan wearing an OMEGA Speedmaster to this day! Share this: 528 "First and Only Watch Worn On The Moon"? Does it seem to anyone else maybe a little, I don't know... deceitful that Omega puts those words "The First and Only Watch Worn On The Moon" on watches that have so many differences from the watch that was used on the Lunar Missions? I mean, can these models that have the sapphire crystal, display back, automatic movements but don't have the anti-vibration and anti-magnetic dust cover, Hesalite crystal or hand wind movement that the original does really be called the "Moon Watch" and claim to be the same watch that was "worn on the moon" ? Is just having the word "Speedmaster" on the dial now synonymous with being a "Moon Watch"? January 5th, 2015 #2 Re: "First and Only Watch Worn On The Moon"?

Originally Posted by josiahg52 Can you cite some examples? I would say any Speedmaster with a sapphire crystal probably shouldn't say that it was worn on the moon as the watches used on the Lunar Missions had Hesalite crystals and any watch with a display back probably shouldn't say it because the watches used in space had an anti-vibration and anti-magnetic dust cover/solid case back and any Speedmaster "Moon Watch" with an automatic movement probably shouldn't say it because the rotor won't work in near-zero gravity, which is why they chose a manual and movement. Just seems they're stretching the boundaries to include dress watches that just "look like" the moon watch but aren't actually functional in outer space because all of those differences prevent those models from being Flight Qualified by NASA Last edited by Thwizzit; January 5th, 2015 at 01:55. January 5th, 2015 #5 Re: "First and Only Watch Worn On The Moon"? Originally Posted by Thwizzit The Speedy Pro just says " The First Watch" not "The Only"..

which seems to make the watches that say "Only" that aren't Flight Qualified even less so It is my understanding that NASA has qualified watches with sapphire crystals. It seems likely that the sapphire crystal version would qualify if it were tested today and allowed to be qualified. There probably just are not ongoing opportunities for watches to be qualified and I would surmise that Omega does not push for anything else to be qualified as they probably do not want to do anything that could potentially result in revisiting the flight qualified status of the hesalite version. In the works: RGM '801 EE Motor Barrel' "The stuff that dreams are made ofï¿½" January 5th, 2015 #10 The Omega Speedmaster The Omega Speedmaster —Roberta Naas | October 25, 2011 | Watches & Jewelry The Latest Watches Latest Share Omega has long been involved in the conquest of space, and has been a part of all six lunar landings. On March 1, 1965, Omega's Speedmaster chronograph was "flight-qualified by NASA for all manned space missions." That is because the Omega Speedmaster withstood all of the U.S.

space agency's severe tests under conditions of zero gravity and magnetic fields, extreme shocks, vibrations and temperatures ranging from -18 to +93 degrees Celsius. It is, to date, the only NASA flight-qualified watch. Since 1965, Omega Speedmasters have been onboard Gemini missions, Apollo missions and even Skylab. Many recall one of the most significant moments in space history when, on July 21, 1969, the Omega Speedmaster recorded man’s first steps on the Moon during the Apollo 11 missions. Omega’s Speedmaster is the first and only watch to be worn on the moon. Hence, it has been nicknamed the Moonwatch. Another significant moment in Omega Speedmaster space timing came in April 1970 with the Apollo 13 mission, when the watch was used to time the reentry and divert potential disaster when certain instruments malfunctioned. The Omega Speedmaster earned the Snoopy Award, the highest distinction awarded by NASA astronauts for that mission. The Speedmaster was worn on the wrists of both the American astronaut Tom Stafford and the Russian cosmonaut Alexei Leonov during the historic Apollo-Soyuz space rendezvous.

This was the first time the cosmonauts also wore the OMEGA Speedmaster. Ever since, the Speedmaster has been the official chronograph of all Russian manned space missions. Today, Omega continues to be involved in space exploration and discovery. In fact it recently released its new Apollo 15 watch that celebrates the 40th anniversary of that mission, the first in which the Moon Rover was used. The three red, white and blue rings on the dial echo the design of the Apollo 15 Official Mission patch. The 42mm cased chronometer chronograph is created in a limited edition of 1971 pieces (the year of the Apollo 15 mission), and retails for $6,800. Read more about watches from our timepiece editor Roberta Naas at atimelyperspective.com . Want more awesome content like this? Sign up and get our best articles delivered straight to your inbox, as well as other subscriber-only deals from our luxe partners!

The Omega Speedmaster The Omega Speedmaster —Roberta Naas | October 25, 2011 | Style & Beauty The Latest Share Omega has long been involved in the conquest of space, and has been a part of all six lunar landings. On March 1, 1965, Omega's Speedmaster chronograph was "flight-qualified by NASA for all manned space missions." That is because the Omega Speedmaster withstood all of the U.S. space agency's severe tests under conditions of zero gravity and magnetic fields, extreme shocks, vibrations and temperatures ranging from -18 to +93 degrees Celsius. It is, to date, the only NASA flight-qualified watch. Since 1965, Omega Speedmasters have been onboard Gemini missions, Apollo missions and even Skylab. Many recall one of the most significant moments in space history when, on July 21, 1969, the Omega Speedmaster recorded man’s first steps on the Moon during the Apollo 11 missions. Omega’s Speedmaster is the first and only watch to be worn on the moon. Hence, it has been nicknamed the Moonwatch.

Another significant moment in Omega Speedmaster space timing came in April 1970 with the Apollo 13 mission, when the watch was used to time the reentry and divert potential disaster when certain instruments malfunctioned. The Omega Speedmaster earned the Snoopy Award, the highest distinction awarded by NASA astronauts for that mission. The Speedmaster was worn on the wrists of both the American astronaut Tom Stafford and the Russian cosmonaut Alexei Leonov during the historic Apollo-Soyuz space rendezvous. This was the first time the cosmonauts also wore the OMEGA Speedmaster. Ever since, the Speedmaster has been the official chronograph of all Russian manned space missions. Today, Omega continues to be involved in space exploration and discovery. In fact it recently released its new Apollo 15 watch that celebrates the 40th anniversary of that mission, the first in which the Moon Rover was used. The three red, white and blue rings on the dial echo the design of the Apollo 15 Official Mission patch.

The 42mm cased chronometer chronograph is created in a limited edition of 1971 pieces (the year of the Apollo 15 mission), and retails for $6,800. Read more about watches from our timepiece editor Roberta Naas at atimelyperspective.com . Want more awesome content like this? Sign up and get our best articles delivered straight to your inbox, as well as other subscriber-only deals from our luxe partners! Dave Scott's Personal Bulova Chronograph Worn On The Moon, For Sale | Page 2 | Omega Forums Dave Scott's Personal Bulova Chronograph Worn On The Moon, For Sale 3,016 TNTwatch said: ↑ The 5100 series is an automatic movement with central minute chrono counter and different subdial configuration. It could probably only be either Lemania or Valjoux, but it seems to have been under very tight wrap. Click to expand... @TNTwatch ..In hindsight you are correct about the Lemania 5100 and I should have noticed that before I posted this all bleary eyed and tired this morning.

That said, the person that worked closely with Scott regarding this piece is the one that noted it was the 5100 movement and I was just passing on the information. I will email him now and ask if he has any additional information on the movement and what information he used. 3,016 TNTwatch said: ↑ The 5100 series is an automatic movement with central minute chrono counter and different subdial configuration. It could probably only be either Lemania or Valjoux, but it seems to have been under very tight wrap. Click to expand... @TNTwatch ....Here we go from the space collectible guys doing their research before they bid on a sure to be six figure watch. "Thanks to the RR Auction catalog we now know the entire serial number from the back of this mysterious Bulova. And thanks to that number, a mystery can now be solved. In the late 1960s to early 70s, Bulova owned a Swiss watch company known as Universal Geneve.

The case number from Dave Scott's Bulova matches exactly the case numbers found on the Universal Geneve chronograph model known as the "Space Compax." This watch featured a triple register just like a Speedmaster, but used a Valjoux 72 movement." Jones in LA Mmm... must have shiny things... Oct 7, 2015 Posts Likes 5,002 For sure, the rotor of an automatic watch is designed to work best in a 1-g environment. If it's a high quality movement and well maintained, the rotor should re-align itself with the gravity vector when the position of the watch is changed, no matter how slowly its position is changed. A rapid wrist movement in a micro-g environment would likely result in movement of the rotor, due to inertia. But, it's also easy to imagine that in a micro-g environment, the position of the watch could be changed very slowly such that the rotor will not move at all (due to friction and maybe even mainspring tension).

Thus, 1-g wins as the happiest place for an automatic movement Modest_Proposal Trying too hard to be one of the cool kids Oct 7, 2015 Posts Likes 2,808 The question is if it would be more work than it was worth to flick the watch around until it was wound. It depends on if the inertia necessary to wind the watch was weak enough that a person could do with without consciously trying. Take a good long look at the watch in this picture and tell me this doesn't have straight traditional pushers. Is this suppose to be the exact watch for sale in the auction? Because the one at auction has slender slit pushers. . Jones in LA Mmm... must have shiny things... Oct 7, 2015 Posts Likes 5,002 The watch in the photo above is Dave Scott's Speedmaster that he wore on EVA-2. Scott noticed that the Speedmaster's crystal was gone while he was back in the LM between EVA-2 and EVA-3. The Bulova was worn on EVA-3.

Edit: The brochure's photo (above) was not meant to depict the watch on sale, but rather illustrate the story of how the Bulova came to be worn. @TLIGuy can probably verify this, but I don't believe there is a clear photo in existence that shows the Bulova in use on the Moon's surface. The Omega Speedmaster The Omega Speedmaster | October 25, 2011 | Watches & Jewelry The Latest Share Omega has long been involved in the conquest of space, and has been a part of all six lunar landings. On March 1, 1965, Omega's Speedmaster chronograph was "flight-qualified by NASA for all manned space missions." That is because the Omega Speedmaster withstood all of the U.S. space agency's severe tests under conditions of zero gravity and magnetic fields, extreme shocks, vibrations and temperatures ranging from -18 to +93 degrees Celsius. It is, to date, the only NASA flight-qualified watch. Since 1965, Omega Speedmasters have been onboard Gemini missions, Apollo missions and even Skylab.

Many recall one of the most significant moments in space history when, on July 21, 1969, the Omega Speedmaster recorded man’s first steps on the Moon during the Apollo 11 missions. Omega’s Speedmaster is the first and only watch to be worn on the moon. Hence, it has been nicknamed the Moonwatch. Another significant moment in Omega Speedmaster space timing came in April 1970 with the Apollo 13 mission, when the watch was used to time the reentry and divert potential disaster when certain instruments malfunctioned. The Omega Speedmaster earned the Snoopy Award, the highest distinction awarded by NASA astronauts for that mission. The Speedmaster was worn on the wrists of both the American astronaut Tom Stafford and the Russian cosmonaut Alexei Leonov during the historic Apollo-Soyuz space rendezvous. This was the first time the cosmonauts also wore the OMEGA Speedmaster. Ever since, the Speedmaster has been the official chronograph of all Russian manned space missions. Today, Omega continues to be involved in space exploration and discovery.

In fact it recently released its new Apollo 15 watch that celebrates the 40th anniversary of that mission, the first in which the Moon Rover was used. The three red, white and blue rings on the dial echo the design of the Apollo 15 Official Mission patch. The 42mm cased chronometer chronograph is created in a limited edition of 1971 pieces (the year of the Apollo 15 mission), and retails for $6,800. Read more about watches from our timepiece editor Roberta Naas at atimelyperspective.com . Want more awesome content like this? Sign up and get our best articles delivered straight to your inbox, as well as other subscriber-only deals from our luxe partners! Omega Speedmaster Professional MOONWATCH OM3570.50 Wrist Watch for Men | eBay Omega Speedmaster Professional MOONWATCH OM3570.50 Wrist Watch for Men 5.0average based on 15 product ratings 5 Trending price is based on prices over last 90 days. Brand NewLOWEST PRICE Sold by rem_city See details for delivery est. Sold by bigbird_2002 Est.

delivery by Jan 27 All listings for this product Any Condition Compare products others also viewed THIS PRODUCT Omega Speedmaster Professional MOONWATCH OM3570.50 Wrist Watch for Men TRENDING PRICE Product Information Product Information Add a classic-looking timepiece to your collection with the Omega Speedmaster Professional MOONWATCH. It features a stainless steel casing and band with a folding closure. The face is jet black with white hands and white tick marks in place of numbers. With a manual winding movement, it does not require batteries or battery changes. Suitable for swimming and showering but not deep diving, it is water-resistant at a depth down to 165 feet. One element that makes this timepiece truly unique is that it is a replica of the first watch ever worn on the moon. On the back of the casing is an engraving that has the Omega Speedmaster emblem and a notation about its flight qualification for NASA-manned space missions. 5.0 by rocc.davi Dec 17, 2015 Omega Historic and Historic Classic What a watch. Comfortable striking elegant and functional. Has a grey black face that goes with a tux or jeans. How many watches can claim history and versatility that the speedy can?

Maybe 5 other watches ever produced like the rolex sub, royal oak ap, jlc reverso, iwc portuguese, and patek classics. Unfortunately you'll spend near or more than tens of thousands. Value is actually selling thus watch short. It is everything a one watch owner would and could ever ask for. All other watches in my collection are temporary until I can wear the speedy. Enjoy with care!! Verified purchase: No by powdernut75 May 06, 2015 The Omega Moonwatch looks to be a treasure to own for years to come. I think the desire to own one of these for me came down to: style, history, value and prestige. Owning it, I really value the comfort on the wrist, which is nothing I had anticipated or considered, but it truly is the most comfortable watch I can think of. I own about 20. The legibility is also something I covet as I work in dim lighting, and while it doesn't have chunky hands sporting a lot of luminescent material, there is plenty of contrast between them and the dial to make it very easy to read.

Aiding this is the fact that the dial sports multiple gradations between each minute marker with the precise point of the minute hand ending at the beginning of each gradation. This results in a quick and confident reading, which is really reassuring, silly as that may sound. Personally it projects an air of quality. The power reserve when fully wound easily keeps it ticking if you like to store it over the weekend. Finally, there are many styling details that seem to reveal themselves over time which makes this timepiece fulfilling to own, including the historical details. It is justifiably a point of pride for Omega. Read full review by slider5279 Jan 26, 2016 Moon watch This is a classic style of watch that can be worn casual or formal. Omega is known for their quality, especially this moon watch. It will be a great watch to pass down to the family! Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned by rccxtremecasts Aug 14, 2014 Best Chronograph on Earth and in Space I know my title is bold, but for the price, this is by far the best value on the market when it comes to luxury watches.

When you buy the Speedmaster Professional, you are buying a watch with a rich history, a reliable track record, great brand recognition, and an overall very attractive appearance! It's also a great size- not too big, not too small. It shows a far more refined taste than many of the leviathans you see on peoples' wrists today. I like the steel bracelet. The watch's dial has a classic look, and with a different strap, the watch may look too vintage for some. But, with this newer style band, the watch has a very attractive combination of vintage and modern which allows it to look great on anyone's wrist for any occasion. Classy enough for a suit, casual enough for the weekend. The only drawback I can possibly find with this watch is the somewhat shotty accuracy. But lets get real, who buys a $4,500 watch for timekeeping? Buy a quartz watch at Target if you want accuracy. And I can always get the Speedmaster regulated/adjusted if it gets on my nerves too much. But as long as it stays within 10 seconds a day, I'm happy.

Also, I've heard it takes the watch a month or two of wear before it "breaks in" and keeps better time. I've been wanting to purchase my first luxury timepiece for some time now, and after hours of research, I settled on this piece. I've said it before, and I'll say it again, this is a great value. It's true luxury, not imitation like the garbage Tag Heuer puts out (seriously, look up how they use Seiko movements). Sure it's not Rolex, but to be honest, you're getting a watch that looks far more attractive than any Rolex in this price range. So if you want to enter into the world of higher-end watches, I would recommend this as your first. You won't be disappointed. NASA wasn't. If it's good enough to get us to the moon, its good enough for me. Read full review by thomasyuan_cn1 Apr 08, 2015 The only model worth buying from OMEGA This Omega Speedmaster is my 5th collection after an A.

Lange & Sohne Grosse Lange 1 (2014); a Jaeger-LeCoultre Grande Reverso Ultra-Thin (2012) Tribute to “Mad Men”, a Panerai Luminor 1950 8 Days GMT (2008), and a Rolex 11610 LV submariner (2011). I think the Speedmaster is definitely a wiser choice than a Rolex Daytona, for price-performance and historical reason; IMHO it is also the only model worth buying from OMEGA. It is a keeper! Weekly Watch Photo - Omega Speedmaster Pre-moon - Monochrome Watches / 1 response / in Omega / tagged: Chronographs , Weekly Watch Photo Again a Weekly Watch Photo of an Omega. This week it’s a Speedmaster Pre-moon from Trum, a member of Timezone UK made the photo. He wrote a very informative post about identifying the different Pre-moon Speedmaster versions that Omega released before the Speedmaster accompanied the astronauts in space. The first being reference 105.003, which can be recognized by the dial without the word “professional” under “Speedmaster”.

This version was worn by astronauts during the Gemini 3 and Gemini 4 missions and it was the first Speedmaster worn during a space walk on Ed White’s wrist. The later references 105.012 and 145.012 (launched in 1966) are known as the two Speedmaster to have been worn on the moon by Apollo astronauts and referred to as the original Moonwatches. Omega Speedmasters have been used throughout the early Apollo program and during the Apollo 11 mission they became the first watch to reach the moon. The three mentioned references are all called Pre-moon because they are manufactured before the moon landings. Later models have the famous case-back inscription: “The First Watch Worn on the Moon”. Post 2003 versions with a sapphire case back have a different engraving: “First And Only Watch Worn on the Moon” (Check the late Chuck Maddox’s website for reference about the different Omega Speedmaster version). The funny things is that Neil Armstrong was first man to set foot on the moon, however he left his Speedmaster (reference 105.012) inside the moonlander, because the electronic timer inside malfunctioned.

Buzz Aldrin choose to wear his Speedmaster and thus, on his wrist, the Speedmaster became the first and only watch worn on the moon. PS. a very rare Speedmaster Pre-moon and pre-professional reference ST 105.002 is available at Watch-store.com ; to see it click on the N-P section and scroll down. Related

Question: The Omega Speedmaster is claimed (at 2011) to be the only watch worn on the?
Answer: Moon