posted January 06, 2009 09:20 PM               

Omega is one of the pioneers in the field of watch technology. For example, the Omega X-33 has been certified by NASA [U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration] for space flights. We're planning to upgrade the X-33 next year and for future space programs. I agree that today every mobile phone and every computer you buy displays time precisely. But we feel our strength is in mechanical watches. So we'll continue to bring something extra to mechanical watches -- history and lasting value.

posted January 20, 2009 12:45 PM               

Apollo 11 "40th Anniversary" Limited Edition

The first manned lunar landing on the 20th of July, 1969 was the greatest, most dramatic scientific achievement in human history. When Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin stepped onto the moon's surface at 02:56 GMT on the 21st of July, Aldrin was wearing his OMEGA Speedmaster and a legend was born. An interesting footnote: the electronic timing system on the Lunar Module was not functioning correctly so Armstrong had left his watch aboard as a reliable backup.

Now OMEGA joins the world in the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the first moon landing with the release of the Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch Apollo 11 "40th Anniversary" Limited Edition.

It is fitting that the distinctive timepiece is powered by OMEGA's famous calibre 1861, the same movement used in the original Speedmaster Professional Moon Watch. The stainless steel casebody is delivered with a stainless steel bracelet which has been upgraded to include OMEGA's patented screw and pin system.

The black dial also recalls that of the Moon Watch with some key differences. The small seconds counter (sub-dial) has been created in the form of a small medallion which features an adaptation of Apollo 11's famous mission patch: an eagle descends to the lunar surface with an olive branch representing peace in its claws. In the distance, far above the horizon, the earth is visible. The patch, interestingly, was designed by Michael Collins who remained in the Apollo 11 capsule as Command Module Pilot while his colleagues Armstrong and Aldrin were in the Lunar Module and on the moon.

The watch's hour, minute and the red-tipped chronograph seconds hands are coated with Super-LumiNova. The minute and hour chronograph counter hands are white and the brushed, rhodium-plated small seconds hand offers an attractive contrast to the medallion on the counter.

Below the words "OMEGA Speedmaster PROFESSIONAL" on the dial, the legend 02:56 GMT - the exact time that Neil Armstrong made his "one small step" onto the moon - is displayed in red.

The 40th Anniversary Limited Edition's dial is protected by Hesalite, the same robust, shatter-proof acrylic crystal found on the original Moon Watch. Hesalite was ideally suited for use in space - there was no chance that it could break apart and send potentially dangerous fragments into the low-gravity environment. A small, distinctive OMEGA logo has been etched evocatively inside the Hesalite crystal.

The Apollo 11 "Eagle" mission patch is stamped on the caseback along with the words, "THE FIRST WATCH WORN ON THE MOON", the limited edition number (0000/7969), and "July 21, 1969", the date Armstrong and Aldrin first stepped onto the moon's surface at 02:56, the time which is printed on the dial.

The OMEGA Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch Apollo 11 "40th Anniversary" Limited Edition is delivered in a black presentation box which also includes a 42 mm silver medal (the same diameter as the watch) featuring an engraving of the mission patch on one side with the words "APOLLO 11, 40th ANNIVERSARY". On the reverse side, the medal is engraved, "THE EAGLE HAS LANDED"; "LAUNCHED JULY 16 1969"; "LANDED JULY 20, 1969"; and "RETURNED, JULY 24, 1969" along with OMEGA's name and logo. Also in the presentation box is a certificate of authenticity and an envelope containing a black polishing cloth with information commemorating the historic space flight.

Centuries from now, historians will continue to look back in wonder at the Apollo 11 mission. For the first time ever, human beings had left Earth, walked on another celestial body, and returned safely home. OMEGA will always be proud of the role it played in the greatest scientific adventure of all time.

posted January 20, 2009 03:36 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Whizzospace:
Does anyone collect Omega Speedmasters as a space collectible, versus a timepiece collectible?

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Since I first asked the question, I've managed to save enough pennies to add an X-33 "Mars Watch" to accompany the original Speedmaster Pro.

posted January 21, 2009 08:57 PM               

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Originally posted by Robert Pearlman:
That said, like most fine watch makers, Omega doesn't advertise their prices. The best way to learn about a particular watch is to contact your local Omega authorized dealer.

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And no one should pay the "sticker price" on any high-end watch. Local AD's have great autonomy in negotiating a price with a buyer, and in today's depressed market, most of the ones I talk to are offering deep discounts.

From this standpoint, the large production number of the Apollo 11 40th "limited edition" should heavily favor the buyer.

posted April 02, 2009 05:29 PM               

Houston, We Have A News Conference: The Original Space Cowboys Come To Basel

Omega presented one of the most compelling and best-attended events at this year's Baselworld trade fair. Four astronauts who wore their OMEGA Speedmasters on the Moon were joined by other key players in NASA's manned space program at a news conference at the Swatch Group Plaza in the middle of the Hall of Dreams on Saturday, March 28th.

On the 20th of July, Omega and the rest of the world will commemorate the 40th anniversary of the first lunar landing and the event was an advance celebration of one of mankind's most historic adventures.

Moonwalkers Buzz Aldrin, Charles Duke, Harrison Schmitt and Eugene Cernan took the stage along with their colleague Thomas Stafford, who commanded the Apollo 10 mission, and Swiss astronaut Claude Nicollier. The dream panel for space aficionados was rounded out by Gerald Griffin, one of NASA's lead flight directors for the Apollo missions and Jim Ragan, the aerospace engineer responsible for the chronograph tests which led to the selection of the Speedmaster as the only watch qualified for each of NASA's manned space flights since May of 1963.

The event began with comments from Omega president Stephen Urquhart, who spoke with pride about his company's long relationship with NASA and its astronauts. Swatch Group CEO Nick Hayek remembered that the Apollo 11 landing had impressed him so much as a 14-year-old that his parents bought him a Speedmaster at the time. He described the astronauts as "my personal heroes". Hayek added, "We all know what it is to dream and these guys lived our dreams better than anyone else."

The CEO's father, Swatch Group Chairman Nicolas G. Hayek said that he was thrilled to be able to participate in an event "which honours this American face we love - these people who create and do things."

Master of ceremonies, science journalist Roland Goerg, then introduced the astronauts and scientists, making brief comments about each as he invited them to the podium.

The first one to take his place on stage was Buzz Aldrin who was, with Neil Armstrong, one of the first men to land on the Moon and the second to set foot on the lunar surface. He recalled the launch day vividly: "I found myself standing by myself. In the distance I could see the sun and the waves of the ocean and the millions of people who had come to watch the launch. I knew that it was a moment I would never forget."

Gerald Griffin, a legendary flight director for the Apollo missions said that as Apollo 11's Lunar Module descended to the Moon's surface, there was an unusual stillness at Mission Control in Houston. "It was normally a beehive of activity," he said, "but for those seconds, you could hear a pin drop. No one breathed until we heard Neil say, 'Houston. Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed.'"

Talking about the unique challenges of operating the Lunar Rover on the Moon's surface on later missions, Charles Duke of Apollo 16 pointed out that the Lunar Rover had the potential to be driven quite a distance from the landing site. "But we never went more than a few kilometres away because if it broke down, we'd have to walk back."

Jim Ragan was responsible for testing the chronographs to be used by NASA's astronauts. Ragan described placing a "nebulous order for price quotes on chronographs." He said that the suppliers in the early 1960s knew the watches were for NASA but had no idea what they were to be used for.

Referring to the OMEGA Speedmaster, Ragan said, "To the best of my knowledge, the Speedmaster is the only piece of hardware which was used from the very beginning without any modification."

OMEGA president Urquhart quickly commented to loud applause, "And that's why forty years later we haven't changed it."

Gene Cernan who walked on the Moon with Harrison Schmitt in the last Apollo mission added, "In time, I can assure you that we will send a manned mission to Mars and when that happens, the first astronaut to step onto the Martian surface will be wearing a Speedmaster."

Swiss astronaut Claude Nicollier was part of four space shuttle missions, having flown on Atlantis, Endeavour, Columbia and Discovery. He was also the first European to take a space walk when he had the responsibility of repairing the Hubble Space Telescope.

Nicollier described OMEGA's new challenge - the company is providing capital and technological support to the Solar Impulse project whose aim is to circumnavigate the globe in an airplane powered only by the sun. Nicollier is actively involved in the project, having designed a special tool to help pilots land the aircraft.

At the end of the news conference, Buzz Aldrin was presented with an OMEGA Speedmaster Apollo 11 "40th Anniversary" Limited Edition Moonwatch which was released to commemorate his and Neil Armstrong's historic walks on the Moon nearly 40 years ago.

Moderator Roland Goerg commented on the panellists: "These men are true heroes of our time. They invested all their energy and talent; they risked their lives to make a dream come true."

It was particularly fitting that the astronauts shared the stage with two men who worked behind the scenes: one, a flight director who dedicated his professional life to making sure that the astronauts returned safely to earth, and another, who more than 45 years ago, approved the only watch to be qualified for all manned spaceflights: the OMEGA Speedmaster.

posted April 25, 2009 05:16 PM               

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Originally posted by spaceman:
Flown Omega Speedmaster Professional Chronographs currently on public display...

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posted April 25, 2009 10:19 PM               

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Originally posted by SpaceAholic:
Anybody run across updated information on the X-33 replacement (details, timing of the release, retail pricing, etc.)?

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posted April 29, 2009 05:59 PM               

On pg. 40 of the May 2009 issue is an article about a new Omega Watch flagship store on Fifth Avenue in New York, to open in May, 2009. It concludes with the following words:

...and the store will be the first to offer the $125,000 Platinum Apollo 11 limited edition timepiece, released to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the first manned lunar landing. Omega's Speedmaster was aboard the famous rocket, making it the first watch to travel to the moon. Omega executives are surely hoping that their New York outpost will take off in a similar fashion.

posted May 16, 2009 06:38 PM               

Edition 4 - The Moon Edition

Available in your nearest OMEGA Boutique

The "Moon Edition" of OMEGA Lifetime magazine commemorates the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission. It was on the 21st of July, 1969 that Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first human beings to step onto the lunar Surface.

This high-flying issue of Lifetime opens with an editorial from astronaut and OMEGA ambassador Eugene Cernan, the last man to walk on the Moon.

One of the lead articles includes a comprehensive history of the space program featuring anecdotes about the larger-than-life characters whose names became synonymous with manned space flight. It recounts in detail the seven lunar missions, including the much-storied Apollo 13. It didn't fulfil its central aim of landing on the Moon but was returned safely to Earth as a result of human ingenuity and the OMEGA Speedmaster Professional chronograph.

For the world's many Speedmaster fans, there are two articles about the watch which has been part of every manned spaceflight since the early 1960s. One is a history of the specific timepieces worn by the astronauts on their assorted missions; the other is about the brand new OMEGA Speedmaster Apollo 11 "40th Anniversary" Limited Edition watches.

It's been a significant year for OMEGA's new product releases including the Constellation Griffes Fine Jewellery Collection, the Seamaster Aqua Terra Annual Calendar Watch, and the Seamaster Aqua Terra "White Jewellery" watch and they all have their own articles in the new edition of Lifetime.

The most talked-about watch at this year's BaselWorld trade fair was the Seamaster PloProf 1200M Co-Axial chronometer and an article by PloProf specialist Jon Wallis compares the legendary original with its updated, state-of-the-industry successor.

The 154 page magazine is rounded out with articles about lifestyle and space-age gadgetry. Tom Munro's stunning pictures of Cindy Crawford complement a reflective essay, "Why We Love Cindy".

In his closing letter, OMEGA President Stephen Urquhart recalls how, as a young staff member at OMEGA, he was responsible for monitoring the communications between the Apollo 11 astronauts and Mission Control and translating it for his colleagues.

The new Lifetime - available from the OMEGA Boutiques - will bring back memories of one of mankind's greatest scientific achievements to some readers and will allow those who are too young to remember the event through outstanding reportage and vivid photographs.

posted May 21, 2009 01:11 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by mikelarson:
Any word on the availability date for the A11 limited edition Speedmaster? Will it be before July 20th?

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posted June 05, 2009 12:43 AM               

Dr. Buzz Aldrin: Legendary Moonwalker Lands at OMEGA's NYC Boutique

On July 20th the world will celebrate the 40th anniversary of the first lunar landing. On Wednesday, June 3, 2009, the OMEGA Flagship Boutique in New York City hosted an event featuring Apollo 11 lunar module pilot, Dr. Buzz Aldrin. Dr. Aldrin was the second man to walk on the Moon and the first to wear an OMEGA Speedmaster on the lunar surface. He was joined by Stephen Urquhart, the president of OMEGA.

Dr. Aldrin donated his own Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch to OMEGA; the watch will be part of the boutique's permanent display. Photos were taken with an authentic Apollo mission space suit followed by a press conference and a series of one-on-one interviews with key members of the local and national press.

A VIP cocktail reception attended by many celebrities and prominent New Yorkers capped off the eventful day.

posted June 05, 2009 07:38 AM               

Photos were taken with an authentic Apollo mission space suit

posted June 08, 2009 11:34 AM               

The Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola is great and has the first Skylab CM (Conrad, Kerwin, Weitz) on display.

posted June 08, 2009 06:04 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Spacefest:
Jim McDivitt just brought in his Speedmaster for auction on Astro-Auction.

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posted June 28, 2009 07:54 AM               

Relating to the new watch, they were also in stock and available for sale. Buzz autographed the display boxes of the 40th anniversary editions they had in stock and they were priced around $5,500US. They also had one of the platinum watches on display priced at about $100K. I'll try and get some pictures posted later.

posted July 06, 2009 11:32 PM               

Caught it twice on NBC. Starts with Kennedy's "we choose to to go to the moon" speech and then into a Saturn V launch and then the watch with the Apollo 11 emblem on the left side of watch.