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Author
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Topic: Omega Speedmaster space chronographs
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Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 50580
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 06-13-2000 08:33 PM
   
Please use this topic to discuss the Omega Speedmaster and its role on the moon and in space. |
Whizzospace
Member Posts: 110
From: San Antonio, TX
Registered: Jan 2006
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posted 06-13-2000 09:41 PM
"The First and Only Watch Worn on the Moon"* is a pretty nifty slogan. Though I'm certain a flown example of an Omega Speedmaster Professional model at auction is an extreme rarity, this watch is at least attractive as "flight qualified" hardware. After saving a lot of pennies for a lot of years I finally brought one home.Does anyone collect Omega Speedmasters as a space collectible, versus a timepiece collectible? * According to the Apollo Lunar Surface Journal, this may not be entirely accurate. |
jcid
Member Posts: 54
From: BELGIUM - Europe
Registered: May 2000
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posted 07-07-2000 09:25 AM
The Apollo 11's Omega Speedmasters could be seen at National Air and Space Museum for a while, others are regularly shown at exhibitions held by this make of wristwatches. Omega watches are worn during shuttle missions as well, but had to be returned to NASA after the flight. I wear daily an Omega and got some nice books on Omega in the space program at the purchase of my wristwatch. The British Interplanetary Society's Spaceflight magazine had a few articles on these wristwatches from which I learned the watches have special glass and are failure-proof. Moreover, being completely mechanical, the solar wind nor cosmic radiation can have influence on it. |
nasamad
Member Posts: 2187
From: Essex, UK
Registered: Jul 2001
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posted 11-30-2002 05:28 PM
I need a new strap for my Speedmaster, and instead of getting a new bracelet fitted, I was wondering if anyone knows where I can get an "Apollo style" velcro strap?Obviously I don't need one as long as the Apollo straps, but I know Omega did issue some kind of commemorative watch with an optional velcro strap. Any hints would be great as a Google search hasn't helped. |
Joe Davies
Member Posts: 258
From: UK
Registered: Jun 2000
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posted 12-01-2002 05:22 AM
I know it is stating the obvious but have you tried asking Omega? They still provide the timepieces for NASA so much have some sort of department that deals with these inquiries.Would be kinda cool if you can track one of those straps down - good luck on your hunt! |
nasamad
Member Posts: 2187
From: Essex, UK
Registered: Jul 2001
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posted 12-04-2002 05:44 PM
While searching for info I found a nice page with details of a few astronauts' individual watches. Quite an interesting read for anyone who's interested. |
Philip
Member Posts: 6217
From: Brussels, Belgium
Registered: Jan 2001
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posted 12-06-2002 12:59 PM
The long Omega straps with velcro are certainly still available. The last Omega Speedmaster I have noticed on a mission was on Belgian cosmonaut Frank De Winne's left arm of his Sokol space suit for the Soyuz TMA-1 launch of last October 2002.Please also note that Russian cosmonauts and their visitors on-board Soyuz missions were wearing Omega Speedmasters with a blue and white wriststrap. It remains a great 'classic' watch! |
inghamb
New Member Posts: 8
From: La Grange, KY USA
Registered: May 2003
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posted 05-23-2003 04:33 PM
Tomorrow morning, the day after my 49th birthday, I drive to Bowling Green Kentucky, to pick up my 50th birthday present: an Omega Speedmaster Apollo 11 Limited Edition 30th Anniversary edition moon watch! It's a year early, but my wife couldn't wait! I just had to share with somebody! I know I won't sleep all night. Hmm, am I turning 50 or 15? Hah! |
Russ Still
Member Posts: 535
From: Atlanta, GA USA
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 05-23-2003 10:43 PM
Congrats on the watch. You'll get lots of comments. I still wear the one I got in 1969. Had to have it rebuilt around 1993 or so to the tune of $600. But other than that, it hasn't missed a tick. |
Joe Davies
Member Posts: 258
From: UK
Registered: Jun 2000
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posted 05-24-2003 04:21 AM
Congrats on your Omega, you'll love it! |
divemaster
Member Posts: 1376
From: ridgefield, ct
Registered: May 2002
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posted 04-20-2004 09:13 PM
I still find it amazing that, after all these years, the Speedmaster isn't a self winding watch. |
Richard
New Member Posts: 5
From: Morrisonville, New York USA
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted 04-20-2004 10:21 PM
Are you sure about that? I purchased a seamaster professional chronometer a couple of years ago (I was actually going to buy the speedmaster, but the seamaster looked better), and it IS a selfwinding mechanism. I find it hard to believe that the speedmaster is not. |
divemaster
Member Posts: 1376
From: ridgefield, ct
Registered: May 2002
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posted 04-21-2004 10:04 AM
I have a Seamaster, too. It self winds. The Speedmaster does not. Call me lazy, but for that type of $$$, you would think they'd incorporate self winding. However, if you're a purist...Surprising, eh? |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 50580
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 04-21-2004 10:13 AM
They do make self-winding editions of the Speedmaster. (They also produce a digital version, the X-33). However, it would appear that at least part of the appeal of the Omega Speedmaster Professional today is that it was the same model worn on the Moon and as such, to claim that in advertisements, I would assume Omega feels they need to preserve the watch as it was issued in 1969. Its like buying a classic car today, i.e. a 57' Chevy; sure, you can get better and more reliable engines today but it wouldn't be the classic if under the 47-year old hood you had a brand new V-6. |
Philip
Member Posts: 6217
From: Brussels, Belgium
Registered: Jan 2001
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posted 04-21-2004 10:41 AM
Robert is right, the original SpeedMaster Professional is winded manually (after which it runs for 48 hours)... the self-winding version is in fact named Omega SpeedMaster Automatic (not "Professional"). |
Jurg Bolli
Member Posts: 1186
From: Albuquerque, NM
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 04-21-2004 10:47 AM
As the proud (correction: extremely proud) owner of one of these watches since age 14 I feel strongly that the original is the way to go. There are many variations of the Speedmaster, self-winding and otherwise, the big Omega book lists and pictures all of them in detail. And I actually like winding it every morning! It is an outstanding watch, keeps excellent time (roughly +3 sec per day for mine, on average) and almost indestructible. It is one of my prized possessions, up there with an Armstrong signed X-15 photo, an Armstrong signed brochure and a few other things (cat and SO, although I technically don't own them (LOL)). |
DavidH
Member Posts: 1271
From: Huntsville, AL, USA
Registered: Jun 2003
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posted 04-21-2004 11:16 AM
...and the dial bears the inscription "From the Moon to Mars" between 5 o'clock and 3 o'clock. What's it say the rest of the time? (Sorry, couldn't resist.) |
John Youskauskas
Member Posts: 126
From:
Registered: Jan 2004
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posted 04-23-2004 12:27 PM
I am also a very proud owner of a Speedmaster Professional. I wear it almost every day and it is the the finest watch I have ever owned. Many pilots you meet are closet watch fanatics and I get alot of compliments at work as we crawl along at .80 Mach and 35,000 feet (well inside the design envelope of this great timepiece).I like the manual wind because, as others have said, it most accurately represents the historical nature of the watch...in the mid-1960's, there were no quartz or digital watches, and it was (falsely) believed that the automatic winding would not work in zero-G. Another advantage is that when you take it off your wrist and wind it by hand, it often attracts the attention of someone nearby...a great way to start a conversation about it's unique heritage. |
ALAIN
Member Posts: 355
From: GENT, Belgium
Registered: Apr 2001
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posted 04-27-2004 01:38 PM
I guess you all know that Stafford was the "middle man" between NASA and Omega Switzerland. He's really showing off the Omega watch on some of the photos taken onboard ASTP in July 1975! |
ALAIN
Member Posts: 355
From: GENT, Belgium
Registered: Apr 2001
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posted 04-27-2004 02:22 PM
What will be the price for this one? I bought my Speedmaster for about US $2000 at an official Omega dealership! |
music_space
Member Posts: 1193
From: Canada
Registered: Jul 2001
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posted 04-27-2004 02:53 PM
The "45-hour power reserve" is making me think here... Has anybody ever noticed if flight plans incorporated calls for watch winding? |
nasamad
Member Posts: 2187
From: Essex, UK
Registered: Jul 2001
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posted 04-27-2004 04:36 PM
Ed Mitchell said a few weeks back that there was no reminder to wind watches written on the flight plans, because they had worn the watches for so long that winding them was an automatic part of getting up in the morning, rather like brushing your teeth! |
Richard
New Member Posts: 5
From: Morrisonville, New York USA
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted 04-27-2004 06:10 PM
quote:
Originally posted by ALAIN:
I guess you all know that Stafford was the "middle man" between NASA and Omega Switzerland.
Stafford even used to make the rounds at some of the licensed Omega dealers and sign autographs back in the early 90's. I don't think he does it anymore, however. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 50580
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 04-27-2004 06:18 PM
Stafford and Cernan are both identified by Omega as "Star Ambassadors". Both have and continue to travel the world with Omega demonstrating their watches. |
Philip
Member Posts: 6217
From: Brussels, Belgium
Registered: Jan 2001
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posted 04-30-2004 01:17 PM
Robert, thank you for those weblinks. Some years ago there was a huge Omega event in Brussels with a large tent with Apollo spacesuit displays and a mock-up of the lunar rover (which actually drove for a mile or so with Belgian astronaut Dirk Frimout onboard).Some questions: 1. Anyway nobody still gave a price for this latest marvel but I guess as for every Omega Speedmaster it will depend on the leather wriststrap or metal strap, etc. 2. What's your favourite Omega Speedmaster (remember there were "Snoopy" , "ASTP", etc. versions of this marvellous instrument)? I prefer the plain Speedmaster Professional. |
Larry McGlynn
Member Posts: 1413
From: Boston, MA
Registered: Jul 2003
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posted 04-30-2004 02:26 PM
I have always loved the Omega Speedmaster. My wife gave me number 355/5441 of the Snoopy limited edition Speedmaster for my *&%$&th birthday. I always wanted a Speedmaster. I learned to live with the winding. My watch and I have some intimate time in the morning as I wind and check it every morning.  It is second nature to me now. Besides, I have several watches that are dead and need battery replacements. |
Philip
Member Posts: 6217
From: Brussels, Belgium
Registered: Jan 2001
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posted 06-01-2004 09:47 AM
Omega launches Speedmaster Professional Apollo 11 Insignia Comes with a booklet signed by Gene Cernan... |
spaceuk
Member Posts: 2113
From: Staffs, UK
Registered: Aug 2002
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posted 06-01-2004 02:15 PM
How much? |
nasamad
Member Posts: 2187
From: Essex, UK
Registered: Jul 2001
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posted 06-01-2004 03:23 PM
Beautiful looking watch, but why the silver dial? Surely an anniversary watch should resemble the original! I'd prefer the black main dial with the black chronograph dials. Plus the extra velcro strap they brought out with one of the other limited editions. P.S. If your reading this Mr. Omega, can you bring out a velcro strap again? Purleeez! |
Philip
Member Posts: 6217
From: Brussels, Belgium
Registered: Jan 2001
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posted 06-01-2004 04:12 PM
Yes, the original is far the best but besides this silver there's also a golden version.Looks like we all prefer the original one with velcro strap or black leather wrist strap so the watch really looks classic and isn't too obvious to show of! |
Richard
New Member Posts: 5
From: Morrisonville, New York USA
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted 06-01-2004 08:27 PM
I think it looks even better! So, how much? |
Larry McGlynn
Member Posts: 1413
From: Boston, MA
Registered: Jul 2003
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posted 06-01-2004 09:23 PM
I would guess about $4,200 retail. You can probably get the jewelry store to get down to about $3,200. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 50580
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 06-01-2004 09:37 PM
The only numbers I have been able to find are from a press release for India: Priced at Rs 1,08,000, the watch is available in all 36 outlets across the country. Current exchange rate would be $2,377.55 -- but that may not be the retail price set for the U.S. market. As Larry says, if you are interested, you would be best served contacting your local Omega retailer. |
MarkK
New Member Posts: 1
From: United Kingdom
Registered: Dec 2004
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posted 12-22-2004 12:44 PM
Yeah, the Omega Speedmaster Automatic Moon Watch is certainly a feat of great hierology, and is the only watch ever to operate properly in space. I have three Omega watches now, one is a 200M Omega Seamaster Professional which is 30 years old, an Omega 007 Seamaster, and an Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch SE, all of which I love respect greatly, and well done to Omega for producing watches of such class. |
mrsway
New Member Posts: 3
From: Costa Mesa,Ca 92627
Registered: Jan 2005
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posted 01-08-2005 10:03 PM
I've had the E.A. Cernan "Last Man on the Moon" Special Edition Speedmaster for 1 year and 3 months and paid a lot of money for it and the tac button already sticks? Is this a common problem with this watch? But I love this watch very much and will never sell, get rid of it, etc., never, never, never! |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 50580
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 03-11-2005 10:51 AM
Posted to the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation's website: Here is your chance to own an extraordinary watch, while supporting a great cause! The numbered watch, a From the Moon to Mars Speedmaster Professional model, is engraved with "Astronaut Hall of Fame Induction" and the date of the ceremony on the back cover. The Omega watch was the first and only watch to be worn on the Moon. Tickets: $25 each / 3 for $50 / 8 for $100To purchase tickets, fill out the ticket order form and fax to the number provided. The small print: Winners need not be present to win and will be selected in a random drawing during the ASF Astronaut Hall of Fame induction gala, April 29, 2005, 8 p.m. at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Contributions are voluntary and not a requirement to win. No substitutions, refunds or exchanges are permitted. Limit 8 per person. |
skippy in space
Member Posts: 251
From: Aberdeen Scotland
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 03-11-2005 11:29 AM
So the fine print says you don't actually have to buy tickets to be entered in the draw!I know what I would be doing if I was the organiser you didn't pay goes into the bag that somehow didn't get put in the hat! Very, very tempting to enter. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 50580
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 03-11-2005 11:40 AM
Clauses such as "no purchase necessary to win" are required by U.S. law but the spirit of this raffle (and ones like it) are to raise funds for a good cause. I would greatly encourage everyone to buy tickets and support the next generation of astronauts reach their goals. |
Happy Proud Thrilled
Member Posts: 64
From: Bothell, WA
Registered: Mar 2005
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posted 04-11-2005 03:22 PM
I'm hoping to get a little help here...My husband keeps talking about how he really wants an Omega Speedmaster watch. I thought it would be a great Father's day present, but realize now I may be in over my head. After looking at a couple websites, I'm lost. What style, etc, but more importantly price. I saw some for $150, others for $4000. Anyone out there have luck purchasing these watches? What would you consider a 'fair' price?Is there a particular style that is THE 'moon watch? Any help would be appreciated! Now lets just hope he doesn't see this post... |
Bookman1975
Member Posts: 31
From: Bryan TX
Registered: Aug 2004
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posted 04-11-2005 09:12 PM
Yeah, this is a fairly expensive watch, but I would imagine it is worth it. You probably will want to look for the "worn on the moon" model, but there are some other really nice ones, too. As to where to purchase, look for a jewelry or watch store that sells high end watches like Tag Heuer. Good luck! |
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