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  Omega Speedmaster space chronographs (Page 8)

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Author Topic:   Omega Speedmaster space chronographs
Robert Pearlman
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posted 03-19-2015 07:04 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
The Omega Speedmaster Apollo 13 Silver Snoopy Award was one of four new Speedmasters announced at Baselworld 2015.
The watchmaker also introduced stylized White Side and Dark Side of the Moon timepieces, as well as an upgraded version of its original 1957 Speedmaster.

moorouge
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posted 03-25-2015 11:47 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for moorouge   Click Here to Email moorouge     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Some advice. I've owned a Speedmaster for 37 years. The new retro 1957 version I see from the Omega site is an automatic self-winding version. Mine is a self-winding version too.

However, just a few days ago I discovered the reason why my watch kept losing time — anything up to a minute a day. The cure was very simple. These watches do wind up. Four or five turns of the centre knob keeps the spring fully taut and my watch is back to time keeping specification.

Merkaw
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posted 04-03-2015 04:37 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Merkaw     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Anybody know when this picture of Tom Stafford wearing a gold Speedmaster was taken?

He's wearing his Apollo X suit, but the gold Speedmaster came later. I'm sorry if this has been discussed, but I didn't see an answer after a search.

LM-12
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posted 04-03-2015 05:32 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for LM-12     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
The photo was taken 1972-04-12 according to this JSC website.

TLIGuy
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posted 04-04-2015 12:30 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for TLIGuy   Click Here to Email TLIGuy     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I have read that Haise and Swigert did not receive gold watches for their work on Apollo 13? Lovell received a gold watch for Apollo 8 and I assume his Gemini missions are engraved as well. The second batch of gold watches were given out in 1972 to the astronauts that participated in 14, 15, 16, and 17.

Why no watch for Haise or Swigert?

Merkaw
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posted 04-05-2015 02:53 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Merkaw     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by LM-12:
The photo was taken 1972-04-12 according to this JSC website.
Thanks, didn't find that site. Interesting photo, taken years after Apollo X.

Lou Chinal
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posted 04-07-2015 02:07 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Lou Chinal   Click Here to Email Lou Chinal     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I know I had them someplace, I just had to dig them out.

I took a few pictures at the Astronaut Hall of Fame in the early 1990s. One of them said "It was worn by Grissom during Gemini 3." The watch said "Omega Speedmaster." The word "PROFESSIONAL" did not appear.

Now I could not see any number engraved on it.

My scanner is out, but I will mail a set of photos to anyone who asks. Just contact me via email.

Ashy
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posted 04-20-2015 07:52 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Ashy   Click Here to Email Ashy     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
The Apollo13 anniversary watch. Any views? I don't particularly like the strap. Second time they're issuing a LE on a nylon strap!

TLIGuy
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posted 10-20-2015 03:21 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for TLIGuy   Click Here to Email TLIGuy     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
While researching the Skylab missions Speedmasters I noticed a small rectangular box attached to the Velcro strap with the small Snoopy worn by Joseph Kerwin.

Can anyone identify the box and tell me what it is or what its purpose was?

Larry McGlynn
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posted 10-20-2015 08:41 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Larry McGlynn   Click Here to Email Larry McGlynn     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
It looks like the Iodine Tablet Package.

oly
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posted 10-21-2015 03:48 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for oly   Click Here to Email oly     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Could it be a radiation dosimeter tag?

TLIGuy
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posted 10-21-2015 09:46 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for TLIGuy   Click Here to Email TLIGuy     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Thank you both for taking a look at this image.

Just to tie this up, the curator from the National Air and Space Museum looked at the image and believes the box is a passive radiation dosimeter that is noted in the Skylab Bio-medical results document that states "The passive dosimeter can be worn on a soft strap on either the wrist of the ankle."

TLIGuy
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posted 11-23-2015 07:09 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for TLIGuy   Click Here to Email TLIGuy     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Always nice to see the Gemini and Apollo era Speedmasters get a little recognition in print.
It was a grand watch, a combination timepiece-stopwatch built by Omega to be water-resistant, shock-proof, and able to withstand 12 Gs of acceleration. Most impressive of all: It had flown on Apollo 11, the first mission to land humans on the moon. When Michael Collins, Apollo 11's command module pilot, was the director of the National Air and Space Museum, he wanted to add the watch to the Museum's collection. When it was inventoried, however, its serial number indicated it was actually Neil Armstrong's watch — and had been on Armstrong's wrist when he landed on the lunar surface. What had happened?

Robert Pearlman
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posted 03-24-2016 01:29 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Omega introduced a few new Speedmasters at Baselworld 2016, including two that might be of interest to space enthusiasts:
The Speedmaster Grey Side of the Moon "Meteorite"

The original OMEGA Grey Side of the Moon is revered for its outstanding design and innovative thinking. Today, this new model delivers beauty in ceramic and 18K Sedna gold, as well as a real piece of space that you can wear on your wrist.

For the incredible meteorite dial of this watch, OMEGA has sourced slices of the Gibeon meteorite that fell in Namibia in prehistoric times. The ribbon-like "Widmanstätten" pattern is clearly visible and also unique for each model.

Speedmaster Moonphase Co-Axial Master Chronometer Chronograph

As well as beautifully measuring every moment on earth; this timepiece follows the phases of the moon, which makes perfect sense given that the Speedmaster was the first watch ever to be worn on the lunar surface. As a Master Chronometer, the Moonphase celebrates another pioneering moment: OMEGA's exacting new standard of testing approved by METAS in 2015.

A bold use of blue gives the Moonphase its distinctive look. The sun brushed dial, ceramic bezel and leather strap are all in brilliant blue. The case is in stainless steel and the twin two-handed subdials with rhodium-plated circles give the watch a beautifully symmetrical look. The image of the moon, in sharply contrasting black and white, is as detailed as a NASA photograph.

Apparently, the moon on the moonphase Speedmaster includes a small Apollo bootprint on its face.

Philip
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posted 04-07-2016 06:22 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Philip   Click Here to Email Philip     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
For information to Speedmaster fans, after 20 years I had my Omega Speedmaster serviced. Interesting "Omega maintenance" website.

Larry McGlynn
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posted 04-07-2016 07:14 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Larry McGlynn   Click Here to Email Larry McGlynn     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
It would be nice if they would finish the production run on the Apollo 13 Silver Snoopy watches before they introduce a new batch of watches at Baselworld. Been waiting a year for my Snoopy.

Larry McGlynn
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posted 04-29-2016 05:50 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Larry McGlynn   Click Here to Email Larry McGlynn     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
The Omega Snoopy 2 edition #1370 has finally arrived. The case back is beautiful. The dial okay and the strap goes well with it. Was it worth the wait? Time will tell.

Rick Mulheirn
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posted 04-30-2016 05:12 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Rick Mulheirn     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Goodness knows, I am as guilty as the next man when it comes to paying more than I should for "space stuff" on occasion.

Why does ANY collector pay large amounts of cash for any collectable? Such is the nature of collecting anything: passion I guess. Each to their own.

I appreciate this may be a rather simplistic question but I wonder how Omega can justify the price of the latest commemorative Snoopy watch? How much more does it cost to make the new Snoopy watch over and above the standard Speedy... or is it purely nostalgia buyers are paying for?

I speak as somebody without the means nor the the justification to own one... but would love to none the less.

Larry McGlynn
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posted 04-30-2016 08:45 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Larry McGlynn   Click Here to Email Larry McGlynn     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Well, I can answer the question on the Omega Snoopy pricing. The price for the Snoopy 2 is pretty much the same price as a regular Speedmaster Professional factory suggested retail price. If you go to a Omega boutique, then you pay full retail price. It's when you get to a jewelry store that stocks Speedmasters that the price can vary.

With the Snoopy 2, it was a very popular watch and they were sold out of the piece almost instantly. It was very difficult to get in a jewelry or watch store, although I know of one lucky gentleman walked into his jewelry store, found one, bought it for a little less than retail and flipped it for $12,000 USD. Now you see people flipping this watch for $15,000 USD on eBay.

Omega is a great example of brand marketing. The company built a very good chronograph back in 1957, but so did Breitling, Angelus, Universal Geneve and Rolex. But going into space and onto the moon was the significant difference. That journey signifies strength and precision. Facts that Omega has popularly exploited for five decades now.

As for why collect such a watch? I guess it is probably due to a psychological disorder such as hoarding, OCD, etc, take your pick.

Rick Mulheirn
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posted 04-30-2016 09:05 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Rick Mulheirn     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I was prompted to pose the question by seeing the said Scoopy watch selling for three times the price of a brand new standard Speedy from an Omega Boutique here in the UK.

Thanks for the detail Larry: thorough as always.

quote:
Originally posted by Larry McGlynn:
As for why collect such a watch? I guess it is probably due to a psychological disorder such as hoarding, OCD, etc, take your pick.
I'm with you on that one Larry.

Larry McGlynn
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posted 04-30-2016 10:06 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Larry McGlynn   Click Here to Email Larry McGlynn     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Yes, it is a popular watch. The Space and Peanuts' character connection as well as the limited number of them has made the watch expensive in the secondary market of private sellers. I have seen $15,000 to $21,000USD out on the internet. It's one of the few watches that have gone up in price on the secondary market that isn't a rare antique watch like a 1940's steel case Patek Phillip.

The dial kind of grows on you, because the Super Luminova on the dial as well as the bezel show up at night and makes the watch look distinctive.

It is the case back that is the beautiful part of the watch. The "Silver Snoopy" is a hand carved piece of Sterling silver placed on a blue enamel background with sprinkled silver powder to make Snoopy appear to float in Space among the stars and it is all protected by a sapphire crystal.

As for me buying one, well, I have one of the original Snoopy watches for which a "limited edition" of 5441 were made. It was good to pick up number 2. :-)

Philip
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posted 05-06-2016 04:50 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Philip   Click Here to Email Philip     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
My best guess is that most of us prefer the classic Omega Speedmaster with black wristband. All the rest is nice of course and today I saw a new smaller model of the Omega Speedmaster (not particular a women's version) but the well-known Moon watch version remains a true classic for life!

Lou Chinal
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posted 05-06-2016 07:16 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Lou Chinal   Click Here to Email Lou Chinal     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
We are all trying to bring back our youth. Apollo was a magical time in my life. Thanks to Rick for allowing me to live in the past, if only for a few minutes.

Philip
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posted 05-27-2016 01:38 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Philip   Click Here to Email Philip     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Well said, I just want to point out a great book on the October 2015 exhibition by the Davidoff brothers: "The Ultimate Speedmaster Exhibition" (this 108 glossy pages softcover gives a superb overview of Omega Speedmaster watches).

You can buy it here.

TLIGuy
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posted 07-04-2016 03:21 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for TLIGuy   Click Here to Email TLIGuy     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Here is a great new article from a recent presentation by the Omega museum with new information including newly released documents that begin to set the story straight about how the Speedmaster became officially adopted by NASA for the Gemini missions.

YankeeClipper
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posted 07-05-2016 05:44 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for YankeeClipper   Click Here to Email YankeeClipper     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Fascinating reading!
What is new is that not only one watch – the Speedmaster - survived Jim Ragan’s test, but also that the astronauts unanimously preferred Speedmaster in their own evaluation. Why did the astronauts choose Speedmaster? Only thing mentioned in the letter from Mr Ragan to Mr Slayton about why the astronauts preferred Speedmaster is that they say it was easiest to operate, but the exact details of the astronauts’ own evaluation are not yet fully known. The astronaut explicitly said it was easy to operate with the gloves on. The one tested was 105.003, without the crown guard.
This was in April 1965.

At 115:32:45 in the ALSJ - Apollo 12, CDR Pete Conrad makes the following interesting observation about the operation of the Omega Speedmaster during lunar EVA:

I know we had the watches on all the time, but I don't ever remember starting or stopping them. Because they're the world's hardest thing to start or stop with your glove on.

Philip
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posted 07-05-2016 11:51 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Philip   Click Here to Email Philip     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Indeed very exciting and interesting information. Now we can start dreaming of Moonwatch publications describing the true and complete history of "How & Why" the Omega Speedmaster was chosen for the manned spaceflight program. Hopefully a realization by the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11.

Example of the many "Speedy" blogs online.

Philip
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posted 10-04-2016 07:05 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Philip   Click Here to Email Philip     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
54 years ago, First Speedmaster In Space:
Yesterday, it was exactly 54 years ago that astronaut Walter 'Wally' Schirra orbited Earth 6 times in the Sigma 7 spacecraft. The name of the NASA mission was Mercury-Atlas 8, and Schirra picked 'Sigma 7' as the name for the spacecraft. Using the mathematical symbol for summation as appropriate for an "engineering evaluation", and the "7" to refer to the seven Mercury astronauts. On his wrist, an Omega, the first Speedmaster in Space.

Philip
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posted 10-17-2016 11:44 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Philip   Click Here to Email Philip     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
With 20 months to go, Omega Switzerland has to come up with a design for the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11 Speedmaster. I really hope Omega will settle for a "simple" manual winding steel chronograph with 1968 black stepped dial Speedmaster dial.

2019 marks the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11 but also the last year to adhere to the anti-magnetic standard, so it might be Omega's last chance to come up with a real "classic" Speedmaster to inspire a new generation of watch/spaceflight aficionados!

Larry McGlynn
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posted 10-17-2016 06:13 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Larry McGlynn   Click Here to Email Larry McGlynn     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
A lot of watch collectors are waiting for the word from Omega. I have heard rumors, but that is all they are right now. Company reps have said that they may use a lunar meteorite for the dial, but that is probably a wishful guess due to the price of a lunar meteorite and the number of watches to be produced (Limited Edtion of 1969?).

I suspect that the watch would be introduced at Baselworld in 2019, so there is time for them to design an Apollo 11 50th watch.

Since Omega has introduced the CK 2998, the current conventional wisdom is that reverting back to the Pre-Moon version of the Speedmaster would duplicate what was just recently done. And the CK 2998 has not been a huge seller on the market.

Philip
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posted 10-18-2016 05:39 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Philip   Click Here to Email Philip     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Well there's a lot to say about the First Omega in Space, but it wasn't a true copy of the 1962 version worn by Wally Schirra

328KF
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posted 10-18-2016 10:46 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for 328KF   Click Here to Email 328KF     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I have no idea how many of the FOIS models were sold, but I believe that the succession of models that Omega produced based upon that original design indicates that it was very popular.

The following year, they produced a rose gold version with a white face that looked great, just a little pricey. This past year, Omega introduced the CK 2998 which is virtually identical except for different subdial hands and the "lollipop" chrono second hand. So this would suggest that they have been good sellers.

As that article mentioned, watch enthusiasts were critical of not having the 321 movement in one of these reproductions. I doubt it will ever happen though. I spoke to one of their VP's years ago and he explained to me that the movement really doesn't meet modern standards for their watches, replacement parts would be very expensive, and servicing would be an issue.

Whizzospace
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posted 11-08-2016 11:30 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Whizzospace   Click Here to Email Whizzospace     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
The Omega store in San Antonio, Texas sent an invite to a Speedmaster party last month, and I decided I'd better accept.

A new experience and a great event, with many space fans who wear the brand - of course. The boutique had an array of factory museum specimens from Switzerland, including a flown example, as well as many fellow fans sporting their Speedys. We had two "Safety Snoopy's," who posed together, plus the rare "TinTin" (European comic book character) example.

I decided to wear my less seen 1999 era X-33 "Mars Watch," given I'd be around so many "real" Speedmasters! The older X-33 model has a checkered past, named for the defunct US spaceplane that never went past the drawing board.

TLIGuy
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posted 11-08-2016 12:17 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for TLIGuy   Click Here to Email TLIGuy     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Very nice and thanks for sharing. It sounds like it was a wonderful event.

Philip
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posted 11-23-2016 11:29 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Philip   Click Here to Email Philip     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Did we already touch the subject of the exact number of Speedmaster chronographs flown during the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project?

I believe 11 watches were flown (Leonov three, Kubasov two, Stafford two, Brand two and Slayton two) but the NASA astronauts might have taken their tribute gold version during the mission as well?

Remember golden tribute Speedmasters nos. 3 to 28 were given to astronauts on 25 November 1969, while numbers 1001-1008 were given in 1972/73 to the astronauts of Apollo 14 to 17.

TLIGuy
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posted 11-23-2016 12:18 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for TLIGuy   Click Here to Email TLIGuy     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I have recently tried to sort through the ASTP watches and from all the images I'm familiar with I can only come to the conclusion that 10 watches were worn, two watches per astronaut and cosmonaut.

There is an article by Robert noting Leonov wore three watches but I have never seen any photographic documentation of the third. All the images I have seen show Leonov with one watch on each wrist, one on an elastic strap and one on a flat link bracelet.

All the images of Stafford I'm familiar with show him wearing two stainless steel watches one on each wrist and both on Velcro straps. I have seen numerous images of Stafford wearing his gold Speedmaster but they are all from pre-flight training images.

Here is a quote from the Omega Museum's website.

On the flight there were a total of ten watches used, all of which were Speedmasters; however, Tom Stafford wore the 18 Ct yellow gold Speedmaster Deluxe he had received after the Apollo 11 lunar landing in 1969. All the other watches worn by the astronauts were the standard NASA issue watches equipped with 321 calibre while all the cosmonauts wore the newer ST145.022 with 861 calibre.
There are numerous factual errors regarding the use of the Speedmaster on the Omega site so I take what I read there with a bit of caution. My guess is that whoever wrote the passage above may have been looking at the training images and made the assumption he wore the gold watch during the ASTP mission. Unless someone can provide an image proving otherwise I do not believe a gold Speedmaster was worn by either Stafford or Slayton.

Philip
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posted 11-24-2016 02:18 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Philip   Click Here to Email Philip     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I've asked the question as we're updating a few publications on the subject...

In fact Leonov stated he brought three Speedmasters onboard. That brings the total to 11 Speedmasters.

Let's not forget that each astronaut and cosmonaut probably had a PPK (Personal Preference Kit) in which they could take a few personal items, such as an extra wristwatch.

Next year, we'll celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Omega Speedmaster (developed in 1957 and aimed to be ready for stores around Christmas 1957) with several events, such as the opening of a new Omega Museum in Bienne Switzerland. Also SwissApollo is planning a few events to commemorate the use of the Speedmaster... we'll keep cS forum posted!

TLIGuy
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posted 11-24-2016 03:09 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for TLIGuy   Click Here to Email TLIGuy     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I will concede that it is possible that Leonov had three watches during the ASTP mission. Robert's article quotes him saying that so I will defer to what he has written. That said, in all the images I have seen Leonov is wearing only two watches. It is possible that the third watch was kept in the Soyuz capsule or with his personal items. My preference is to always have photographic documentation so from my point of view I can only account for 10 watches.

Robert's article also quotes Kubasov saying the following:

I took on this flight two Omega watches, one on my hand [wrist] and one in my spacecraft.
If the quote above is to be taken as fact then it would be contrary to what the photographic evidence shows because all the ASTP images I'm familiar with show Kubasov wearing both watches.

I don't want to rub anyone the wrong way so if there are additional images out there I'm not familiar with I would love to see them. I would like to have my information as accurate as possible and don't mind being corrected.

Philip
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posted 11-29-2016 11:07 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Philip   Click Here to Email Philip     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Certainly something to ask Stafford if he flew his golden tribute no. 13 Speedmaster in his PPK on board ASTP.

On the subject of a removed bezel on docking module pilot Slayton's golden tribute no. 27 Speedmaster, we might suspect that he was prepping the watch to be flown in his PPK? (NASA portrait S74-15240 shows Slayton wearing golden tribute no. 27 Speedmaster without bezel.)

Larry McGlynn
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posted 11-29-2016 11:36 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Larry McGlynn   Click Here to Email Larry McGlynn     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
God, I love good watch talk.

I will ask Stafford about flying his gold Apollo 11 Speedmaster. I do know that the watch was stolen out of his hotel at the Dallas airport many years ago. The watch community is on the look out for the watch. If it ever shows up at auction, it is wanted back by the General. He currently wears the 1980 German issued version of the gold Speedmaster with his name engraved on it.

As for the subject of the bezel on the gold Apollo 11 Speedmaster watches, many of them were worn and the burgundy bezel was lost.

Looking at past auctions, you see both red and black bezels on some of the gold Apollo 11 Speedmasters up for sale. I was confused by the difference, but in talking with several astronauts, they told me that they wore the watch regularly and one day they found that the bezel fell off.

One moonwalker told me that he was at the beach and when he was leaving he found that the red bezel had fallen off and was lost on the beach. In talking with one of the lead watch technicians at Omega NJ, they told me that the gold bezel and gold case was a problem for Omega back then.

Once the red bezel was gone, a local jeweler could only replace it with a black bezel. That is why some of those gold Apollo XI commemorative Speedmasters show up with black bezels. The original watches gifted by Omega at the Hotel Warwick on November 25, 1969 all had the red or burgundy bezel which is beautiful with the rose gold watch case.

What I don't remember without checking is whether the 1999 Superior auction catalog lot description stated that Deke's gold watch was flown on ASTP. I can check in my archives later. I don't remember that it did fly, but I will check.


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