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Author Topic:   Omega Speedmaster Apollo 11 50th Anniversary
Robert Pearlman
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Posts: 45109
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 03-13-2019 01:40 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
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Omega reveals gold Speedmaster to mark Apollo 11 50th anniversary

Omega is celebrating the golden anniversary of the first moon landing by going gold.

The Swiss watchmaker on Tuesday (March 12) revealed the Speedmaster Apollo 11 50th Anniversary Limited Edition, an 18-karat gold chronograph modeled after the timepieces gifted to the astronauts after the Apollo 11 mission established the Speedmaster as the first watch worn on the moon.

Panther494
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Posts: 464
From: London UK
Registered: Jan 2013

posted 03-13-2019 03:20 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Panther494   Click Here to Email Panther494     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Wow. Very nice indeed. Love the packaging. Omega have really gone to town on this.

Would be nice if they did a stainless steel edition so more people could indulge.

rjurek349
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Posts: 1206
From: Northwest Indiana
Registered: Jan 2002

posted 03-13-2019 11:10 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for rjurek349   Click Here to Email rjurek349     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
It's a beautiful watch! At $34,000+ retail, though...wow. But I am sure it will get snapped up.

When I do lectures on "Marketing the Moon" in support of the book I wrote with David Meerman Scott, I show the vintage 1969 Omega Apollo Speedmaster advertisement that has the headline: "How can a man in a $27,000 suit settle for a $235 watch?" It's a great, creative ad. (Google it. It's an awesome ad.)

I point out to the audience that, adjusted for inflation, that $235 would be $1,607.90 in 2018 dollars (based on an inflation calculator over those years). Then I reference current prices in the secondary market for those watches ($5K, $7K, $8K, etc.).

The point I make: that delta, that spread between actual inflation adjusted and today's secondary market price, is an "Apollo premium" to the brand. (Even discounting the increase in gold prices.) The "first watch on the moon." It's a powerful lesson in brand building and awareness marketing.

Now at $34,000 for the anniversary watch... well, I might have to update my speaker's notes!

Philip
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Posts: 6073
From: Brussels, Belgium
Registered: Jan 2001

posted 03-13-2019 11:55 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Philip   Click Here to Email Philip     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
A stunning watch but Omega might take care as the online and real-world Speedmaster community might find it harder to cope with an every-six-months edition of the Speedmaster... 50 years Apollo 11 chronographs being the exception.

Larry McGlynn
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Posts: 1308
From: Boston, MA
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 03-13-2019 01:51 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Larry McGlynn   Click Here to Email Larry McGlynn     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I agree with both of you and your points. The amazing thing is that people continue to buy Omega watches. It is all about brand recognition and Omega has been smart enough to take advantage of that one amazing moment in history.

Robert Pearlman
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Posts: 45109
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 05-06-2019 08:16 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Omega will host a private event honoring the 50th anniversary of the moon landing at Kennedy Space Center this Thursday (May 8), reports Florida Today.
The company has not yet released where exactly the event will be held at the Space Center, but it will be behind closed gates.

Those expected for the black-tie dinner include actor George Clooney, who has attended several of the company’s events in the past, as well as former astronauts Thomas Stafford and Charles Moss Duke.

Robert Pearlman
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Posts: 45109
From: Houston, TX
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posted 05-11-2019 02:50 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
From Jean-François Clervoy on Facebook:
Superb OMEGA event celebrating 50th anniversary of Apollo 11 under a real Saturn V rocket in Cape Canaveral.

Left to right: Jean-François Clervoy, Terry Virts, Nicole Stott, Thomas Stafford, George Clooney, Charlie Duke, James Ragan and Raynald Aeschlimann

Robert Pearlman
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From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 05-17-2019 06:27 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
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Omega celebrates 'iconic hours' of Apollo 11 with new Speedmaster moonwatch

A new chronograph captures the time, 50 years ago, when the first wristwatch was worn on the surface of the moon.

On July 20, 1969, Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin became the second human to walk on the moon — and the first to wear a watch while doing so. Now, half a century later, the maker of that well-traveled timepiece has included that detail on the face of a new, limited edition watch created to commemorate the mission's 50th anniversary.

Philip
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From: Brussels, Belgium
Registered: Jan 2001

posted 05-17-2019 07:31 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Philip   Click Here to Email Philip     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
De gustibus non est disputandum.

328KF
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posted 05-17-2019 10:22 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for 328KF   Click Here to Email 328KF     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Nice looking. I like that they included the “a” in Armstrong’s quote on the caseback.

Philip
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Posts: 6073
From: Brussels, Belgium
Registered: Jan 2001

posted 05-18-2019 04:04 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Philip   Click Here to Email Philip     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
On many forums people are asking the question why Omega put this precise timing on the box? 02:56:48 GMT

Rick Mulheirn
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From: England
Registered: Feb 2001

posted 05-18-2019 04:36 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Rick Mulheirn   Click Here to Email Rick Mulheirn     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
The time Neil took his fist step on the moon? For a global brand I'd imagine GMT would be preferable to local (Houston) time.

Philip
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From: Brussels, Belgium
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posted 05-18-2019 04:39 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Philip   Click Here to Email Philip     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Wikipedia has this timing: 02:56:15 GMT.

Rick Mulheirn
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Posts: 4282
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001

posted 05-18-2019 04:46 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Rick Mulheirn   Click Here to Email Rick Mulheirn     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Too close a timing to be unrelated surely? Perhaps it was the time when Neil completed his first steps quote? I'd be interested to hear Omega's rationale.

TLIGuy
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Posts: 218
From: Virginia
Registered: Jul 2013

posted 05-18-2019 06:15 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for TLIGuy   Click Here to Email TLIGuy     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I'm the guy obsessed with the exact time of events as a few of you may know if you follow my case back project and is asking the question if the time on the box is correct or not.

I'm happy to be corrected but I believe the time, if Omega is marking the first step on the Moon, is not correct on the box.

Here is what I shared about the watch and time in question:

It is a nice looking watch. I think the dial is a very attractive but would like it better with all 3 sub dials being the same. I'm not a buyer so my opinion is mute.

That said, who does Omega consult for their box designs? Where do they get the First Step on the Moon occurred at 02:56:48 GMT? Since I'm a stickler for the exact times of historic NASA events I think this may be incorrect.

Most conventional documentation including NASA.gov puts Armstrong stepping on the Moon's surface at 02:56:15 GMT and making his statement. After years of research and constant updates the Apollo Surface Journal they have arrived at a more precise time of 02:56:17 for Armstrong's first contact with the lunar surface and that his "That's one small step for (a) man; one giant leap for mankind." statement occurring at 02:56:23.

From the Apollo Surface Journal:

Based on the times of transmissions prior to 109:24:12, Neil started to say "I'm going to step" at 109:24:12, stepped firmly on the surface at 109:24:17 (02:56:17 GMT), and started "That's one small step" at 109:24:23.
What has not been disputed (yet) is the time that Armstrong begins to describe the surface of the Moon which occurs at 02:56:48 GMT which is the time Omega uses on the box inferring that is the time Armstrong sets foot on the Moon.

From the Apollo Surface Journal:

109:24:48 (02:56:48 GMT) Armstrong: Yes, the surface is fine and powdery. I can kick it up loosely with my toe. It does adhere in fine layers, like powdered charcoal, to the sole and sides of my boots. I only go in a small fraction of an inch, maybe an eighth of an inch, but I can see the footprints of my boots and the treads in the fine, sandy particles.
I know this is a petty point but so easily researched and confirmed. The ASJ admittedly acknowledges the time varies by a few seconds but Omega should have gone with the conventional time of 02:56:15 GMT or just 02:56 GMT. I could be completely wrong in my interpretation but if the ASJ research is correct the time on the box is incorrect.

TLIGuy
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Posts: 218
From: Virginia
Registered: Jul 2013

posted 05-21-2019 09:37 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for TLIGuy   Click Here to Email TLIGuy     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
From my contact at Omega:
You were 100% correct on the time of Neil's step on the moon. I sent that to the powers to be and ask them to correct what they had. You would think they would pass that through me so I could verify if it was correct or not.

Thanks again for letting me know.

Philip
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From: Brussels, Belgium
Registered: Jan 2001

posted 05-21-2019 10:43 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Philip   Click Here to Email Philip     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Thanks for the confirmation Omega is aware about this.

TLIGuy
Member

Posts: 218
From: Virginia
Registered: Jul 2013

posted 07-11-2019 07:04 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for TLIGuy   Click Here to Email TLIGuy     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
The boxes now shipping have been corrected and now reflect the time recognized by NASA as 02:56:15 GMT, the official time of Armstrong's first step on the Moon.

Rick Mulheirn
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Posts: 4282
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001

posted 07-11-2019 08:19 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Rick Mulheirn   Click Here to Email Rick Mulheirn     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Omega usually makes a song and dance of significant Apollo anniversaries in their magazine publication. Has anybody seen or heard of any such publication for the 50th anniversary?

JRyan1979
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Posts: 14
From: USA/CA
Registered: Jul 2019

posted 07-12-2019 02:31 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for JRyan1979   Click Here to Email JRyan1979     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Issue 21, 2019 features the 50th Anniversary on its cover and within (about 50% of the edition, by my estimate).

Robert Pearlman
Editor

Posts: 45109
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 07-28-2019 04:04 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Some Omega Apollo 50th swag, including a flash drive in the shape of Omega's gold astronaut, a gold astronaut lapel pin, an Omega-branded gold Fisher Space Pen, a small gold astronaut statue (as displayed at one of the boutiques but given out at a collector's event in New York) and "Moon Juice" bags (the bag itself made for a memento) as served at the Houston boutique's reception on Saturday night (July 27).

Gordon Eliot Reade
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Posts: 52
From: Palo Alto, Calif.
Registered: Jun 2015

posted 11-27-2020 09:05 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Gordon Eliot Reade   Click Here to Email Gordon Eliot Reade     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
It’s been said that if you stack all the Omega Speedmaster Commemorative Editions one atop the other they would reach to the moon. This may be (almost) true but there’s three observations I’d like to make.

The first is that I can’t imagine a time when they won’t be of interest to spaceflight enthusiasts and collectors.

The second is if you take good care of them they hold their value pretty well.

The third is even if I’m wrong about both one and two you can still use them to tell time. They’re perfectly functional watches.

All times are CT (US)

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