For the purposes of this discussion, "modern" will refer to American and Russian spaceflights after 1998, coinciding with the establishment of the International Space Station and the introduction of the Omega Speedmaster Professional X-33.
As a general exception to both "early" and "modern" threads however, discussion of the Omega Speedmaster and its various incarnations should continue under its own topic.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42981 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 10-10-2008 02:35 PM
Recently, I've been noticing a new watch gracing the wrists of shuttle and station astronauts on earth and in space. This watch distinguished itself by the presence of the NASA insignia on its face.
I believe, based on the above (flipped) photo of Mike Fincke's arm prior to the launch of Soyuz TMA-13, that this is a custom version of the Timex Expedition, but I haven't seen any press releases or NASA statements to confirm this.
Through at least ISS Expedition 2 in 1998, astronauts and cosmonauts were wearing and using the Timex Ironman Datalink as one of their four authorized watches.
Does this mean that the Ironman has been retired for the Expedition (assuming it is an Expedition pictured) or is the latter simply a new fifth option?
328KF Member
Posts: 1234 From: Registered: Apr 2008
posted 10-10-2008 03:59 PM
That's a nice looking watch, Robert. Quite a bargain at $50 US! I would assume that the NASA logo is only on the ones they supply to the agency.
If they put that on the retail version, they would have alot of new sales from this forum.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42981 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 10-10-2008 04:13 PM
I called their consumer sales line and the representative was unaware of there being such a model.
The same watch is on Scott Altman's arm on the STS-125 crew poster:
kr4mula Member
Posts: 642 From: Cinci, OH Registered: Mar 2006
posted 10-14-2008 11:40 AM
Is that the same watch? The Altman watch has a smooth bezel and bars on the face, whereas the Fincke watch has the segmented bezel and numbers on the face. Variants of the same model/brand, perhaps?
ea757grrl Member
Posts: 729 From: South Carolina Registered: Jul 2006
posted 10-15-2008 06:05 PM
I've worn an Expedition for 10 years now. Poor thing's been through so much, but still works like a champ. I think the only thing that would get me to retire it would be one of these.
Perhaps a silly question (forgive me if it is), but is the same size watch worn by both male and female astronauts? I'm guessing "yes," but please correct me if I'm mistaken.
328KF Member
Posts: 1234 From: Registered: Apr 2008
posted 10-17-2008 08:46 PM
I notice some other differences as well. The lugs of the Altman watch appear to be steel, or at least metallic in finish, versus the black plastic looking lugs in the top photo.
Also, the latter has tick marks at the hour positions, similar to a Speedmaster, rather than the large numerals of the black version.
Obviously, the bands are different, but that is completely up to the wearer.
perssj Member
Posts: 73 From: Sweden Registered: Jul 2006
posted 04-20-2013 06:57 AM
During the last episode of This Week @ NASA there were pictures from last spacewalk and integration of some laser reflectors for ATV use in the summer.
The arm of the spacewalker has indeed a watch on it. I haven't seen this since the Apollo days.
Does anyone know if it is a Speedmaster or Fortis or something else?
YankeeClipper Member
Posts: 617 From: Dublin, Ireland Registered: Mar 2011
posted 04-20-2013 10:51 AM
I could be wrong, but that looks to have many of the characteristics of a Speedmaster. I don't think it is a Fortis.
Greggy_D Member
Posts: 977 From: Michigan Registered: Jul 2006
posted 04-20-2013 11:52 AM
Yep, looks like a Speedmaster.
perssj Member
Posts: 73 From: Sweden Registered: Jul 2006
posted 04-23-2013 02:34 AM
Thanks for your expertize. I concur, and during my continuing looks I found the complete spacewalk from Ustream on the ATV blog.
The nice timepiece is in sight all the time (with the correct time). Still going strong as the "outside" watch.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42981 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 07-27-2014 08:19 AM
Expedition 40 flight engineer Oleg Artemyev shared from aboard the International Space Station this photo of the various watches and time keeping devices he uses in orbit.
Philip Member
Posts: 5952 From: Brussels, Belgium Registered: Jan 2001
posted 08-14-2014 03:17 AM
Great to see that the Omega Speedmaster is still there.
Philip Member
Posts: 5952 From: Brussels, Belgium Registered: Jan 2001
posted 03-13-2018 10:24 AM
Of course to be complete about modern time pieces we should mention:
Posts: 42981 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 03-13-2018 12:57 PM
Following up on the watch that began this topic, here is a better look at Timex Expedition via an astronaut's collection.
dsenechal Member
Posts: 539 From: Registered: Dec 2002
posted 03-14-2018 02:36 PM
Here are three more examples of the NASA Timex:
mode1charlie Member
Posts: 1169 From: Honolulu, HI Registered: Sep 2010
posted 03-14-2018 03:08 PM
Which watches are currently EVA-rated?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42981 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 03-14-2018 03:43 PM
Spacewalkers use Omega Speedmaster chronographs while wearing Russian Orlan spacesuits. Spacewalks in U.S. EMU spacesuits do not include watches.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42981 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 03-14-2018 05:37 PM
quote:Originally posted by dsenechal: Here are three more examples of the NASA Timex
At least one of the white face model watches flew to space. Here you can see Steve Bowen wearing it during STS-133:
Steven Kaplan Member
Posts: 140 From: New Jersey Registered: Jul 2001
posted 03-15-2018 07:25 AM
Anyone know the actual model number for the Timex Expedition watch pictured above?
Larry McGlynn Member
Posts: 1255 From: Boston, MA Registered: Jul 2003
posted 03-15-2018 01:45 PM
quote:Originally posted by Robert Pearlman: ...this photo of the various watches and time keeping devices he uses in orbit.
Oleg Artemyev's photo answers a lingering question for me on average number of watches or time pieces and the typical watch manufacturer are carried by cosmonauts on the ISS.
There is a Omega Speedmaster, Fortis Cosmonaut, Omega X-33, Polar training watch and a Stermanskie chronograph as well as a CDN timer.
TLIGuy Member
Posts: 205 From: Virginia Registered: Jul 2013
posted 03-15-2018 02:05 PM
The Artemyev picture also shows the X-33 missing its crown. It's a bit surprising since the newly designed crown on the second generation X-33 seemed to resolve the collapsing crown issue that plagued the first generation X-33s.
BMckay Member
Posts: 3218 From: MA, USA Registered: Sep 2002
posted 03-22-2018 02:02 PM
quote:Originally posted by Steven Kaplan: Anyone know the actual model number...
In regards to Bowen's, it's a Timex Expedition (WR 100M).
posted 10-10-2008 02:22 PM
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