To celebrate #speedytuesday, we are having a closer look at the Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch.
In 1957, Omega released the Speedmaster series. The ‘Moonwatch’ has been the longest running and best known mechanical chronograph wristwatch. The watch was worn during NASAs Gemini 4 mission, withstood a spacewalk, and was the first watch worn on the moon during the Apollo 11 mission.
Before the Speedmaster became officially qualified for space travel, astronaut Wally Schirra wore his personal timepiece during the Mercury Atlas 8 mission in 1962. The story goes that while knowing he was to become the 5th man to go to space, he was watch shopping in Houston. Perhaps to mark the occasion, he treated himself to an Omega Speedmaster ref CK2998. This watch was a relatively new racing inspired chronograph with a black dial and classic look that stays strong today.
Astronaut Wally Schirra wearing his Omega Speedmaster over his spacesuit
The models that followed Wally’s watch into space, all gained official qualification by NASA, this process involved passing vigorous testing under extreme conditions, including temperature, pressure and shock tests.
During the Gemini 3 mission in 1965, astronauts Gus Grissom and John Young wore the first officially qualified Speedmasters. This was the first manned mission from the Gemini program and the aim was to test out the new spacecraft. The Speedmaster was also worn on the Gemini 4 mission by astronaut Ed White while he made the first American spacewalk. The watch head was fitted to a long nylon strap in order to fit over the space suit. Following the success and popularity of the Speedmasters on these two missions, they were issued to all following Gemini crews until the program ended in 1966.
Astronauts Gus Grissom & John Young before the Gemini 3 launch
Astronaut Ed White on the first American spacewalk with his Speedmaster
The Speedmaster series continued to be used throughout the Apollo program. The Apollo 11 mission saw mission commander Neil Armstrong and pilot Buzz Aldrin become the first two humans to walk on the moon in 1969. Armstrong chose not to wear his watch, but Aldrin did allowing all subsequent models to carry the inscription ‘The First Watch Worn on the Moon’.
Neil Armstrong & Buzz Aldrin ready for space with their Speedmasters
During the Apollo 13 mission in 1970, Jack Swigert’s Speedmaster was used to accurately time the critical 14 second manoeuvre that allowed the crew to return safely to Earth after the spacecraft had been crippled by the rupture of a service module oxygen tank. Omega later went onto receive the Snoopy Award from the astronauts in recognition of outstanding support contributions during the mission.
Jack Swigert with his lifesaving Speedmaster
Following the popularity and support gained for the watches in space, Omega have continued to release updated versions of the Speedmaster. The subsequent models boast slight differences, such as upgraded calibres and slight design detail variances, but they all embrace the essence of the original aesthetics.
Currently in Parkers stock, we have an Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch 3570.50.00. You might not be going to the moon any time soon but that doesn’t mean you can’t look the part and join the community of fans showing their love for the model on #speedytuesday.
