posted 01-05-2021 01:20 PM               

Omega debuts next generation of NASA-qualified Speedmaster moonwatches

A new generation of the first watch worn on the moon carries on its iconic Apollo-era look while introducing the highest level of precision offered by a modern Swiss-made chronograph.

Omega debuted its new collection of Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional timepieces on Tuesday (Jan. 5), highlighting its state-of-the-art internal movement while also paying tribute to its more than 50-year-old lunar legacy.

posted 01-06-2021 10:51 AM               

The case design is awesome, with the double beveled case back that was used on the Ref. 105.012 watches that landed on the moon. The "dot over 90" detail in the bezel scale is a nice touch, as well as the fact that they retained the aluminum bezel vs a ceramic. The stubbier pushers are a perfect recreation of the original moonwatch look. The textured step dial is a beautiful nod to the original and there's still a Hesalite version available. Last, but not least, they went back to the original teardrop shape end on the chronograph hand.

With all of that attention to detail, I'm baffled as to why they didn't offer an applied metal Omega logo on the dial of the Hesalite version. You have to step up to the sapphire model to get that. That detail alone would've made it nearly identical to the original 105.012. If you look closely, they also changed the seconds track from five divisions to three divisions to accommodate the 3Hz frequency of the new movement.

The new movement is the big news. NASA originally qualified the Cal. 321 movement for space flight. This movement was updated and replaced by the 861 movement in 1968 and eventually became the 1861 with a few minor changes. The 861 was re-qualified by NASA in the '70s for use on the shuttle. To date, we know that all of the watches that landed on the moon were Cal. 321s, at least one Cal. 861 flew on Apollo 17 in the command module, and the Cal. 1861 has been used extensively by the Russian space program for all of their EVA work. We've even seen one recently on the wrist of Crew 1 Commander Michael Hopkins aboard the Dragon capsule "Resilience."

I think it's a stretch to include the "Flight Qualified by NASA..." on the case back. This is a new movement that hasn't been tested, qualified, or used on any space flight. The movement differs greatly from the ones previously tested. The Co-Axial escapement is newer technology and changes some operations including a new hacking feature that the old movements lacked. Improvements and updates are great, but I think the marketing department took some license here. Yes, one could argue that the Cal. 1861 wasn't "qualified" either. However, it's close cousin, the 861 was, and the 1861 has been used in flight extensively.

posted 01-07-2021 06:12 PM               

The case back actually is worded differently to say, "Flight-Qualified by NASA 'in 1965' for all manned space missions." With the addition of 1965 comes a nod to the date of qualification. It is a subtle, but distinct difference that refers back to the 321 movement and its year of certification by NASA.

I much prefer the Hesalite watch to the Sapphire version. I like the case back much better with the original Seamaster logo in the center.

As of the 3861 movement, Omega bet a ton in purchasing the rights to George Daniel's Co-Axial movement in 1999 and all Omega Seamaster and Speedmaster watches are converting over the movement. The Co-Axial movement has gone through several iterations from the 2500 to the 3861. I have a few different Speedmaster Co-Axial versions such as the Omega Speedmaster Broad Arrow Co-Axial GMT with the 3603 movement from 2005. The movement relies on a three jewel escapement level and a two level escape wheel. The setup allows for a faster beats per minute for better accuracy as well as not requiring any lubricant (and so lasts longer between servicing).

posted 01-07-2021 09:40 PM               

I love the pre-Moon Speedy with the 321 column wheel chronograph module. The Speedy movement has gone through three iterations in the past five decades with the 321, 861, 1861 movements, and now the movement has been transformed again. It is the same movement that is in 2020 Snoopy Speedmaster as well as the Speedmaster Pro and the Seamaster and the Planet Ocean.

I will post when I hear back from Omega on the applied vs painted logo. It won't matter to me, because I like the Hesalite version better due to the caseback.

posted 01-12-2021 09:05 AM               

So it's extensively modified, got a new bracelet and is priced at the cost of vintage 861 Speedmaster chronographs, so Omega will draw a new generation of Speedmaster fans who prefer a brand new watch.

posted 01-14-2021 07:46 AM               

In sharp contrast not a single foreign reporter was allowed to visit the Baikonur Cosmodrome for the Soyuz launch. However the Russians understood the importance of good press relations. Graciously they issued Soviet Press credentials to all journalists at the Cape. When asked what these credentials were good for someone replied that they'd get you past any Russian guard at Pad 39B.