Moon Watch?

Author
Discussion

Dusty Noodle

Original Poster:

11 posts

181 months

Wednesday 26th November 2014
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I have a couple of technical questions about the Omega Moon Watch. I believe this watch was flight qualified by NASA. Interesting how it performed in massive temperature variations on the moon. I personally would like to see a second hand I could see running in the dark if not using the chrono. Important on a non auto calibre. Still a classic assuming it did go to the moon but that's a well tested conspiracy. Any thoughts?

Civpilot

6,235 posts

239 months

Thursday 27th November 2014
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Firstly, let's not have any conspiracy rubbish. NASA went to the moon... No shadow of doubt. There are tin hat forums for other such discussions.

Second, yes, a quick Google will tell you lots about the Speedy and its variations and yes it is still made, and yes it is still expensive (you won't get second hand under a £1000 for example). It's a great watch.

Lots of owners will probably jump in with more advice shortly

yeti

10,523 posts

274 months

Thursday 27th November 2014
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Dusty Noodle said:
Interesting how it performed in massive temperature variations on the moon.
There are of course massive temperature variations on the moon dependiong on light or darkness, but the astronauts weren't exposed to them.

All the information with regard to testing is very freely available and a good read. Nothing that any quality modern watch wouldn't pass I don't doubt, but this was the 60s and it's impressive for the era.

yeti

10,523 posts

274 months

Thursday 27th November 2014
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Civpilot said:
Firstly, let's not have any conspiracy rubbish. NASA went to the moon... No shadow of doubt. There are tin hat forums for other such discussions.
Oh, and this ^^

XJSJohn

15,959 posts

218 months

Thursday 27th November 2014
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wear my (manual winder / "last man on the moon") speedie as a daily wearer .... love it to bits but able to handle massive temperature changes rofl ...... switching between office AC 18c and outside 31c regularly and the thing looses time like its going out of fashion .....


however, wouldn't wear another as my daily ... just correct the time every few days hehe

ADP68

528 posts

170 months

Thursday 27th November 2014
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I'm not that knowledgeable on these watches, but really like them. Are the co-axial (presumably automatic) watches frowned upon by the cognoscenti?

bobbybee

872 posts

153 months

Thursday 27th November 2014
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yeti said:
Dusty Noodle said:
Interesting how it performed in massive temperature variations on the moon.
There are of course massive temperature variations on the moon dependiong on light or darkness, but the astronauts weren't exposed to them.

All the information with regard to testing is very freely available and a good read. Nothing that any quality modern watch wouldn't pass I don't doubt, but this was the 60s and it's impressive for the era.
Yep that's right, land on the light side, you'd burn as there's no atmosphere to protect you from radiation, land on the dark side you'd freeze to death even in a space suit. hence the Apollo landings were in the sweet spot a thin band which is at dusk or dawn between the two sides

yeti

10,523 posts

274 months

Thursday 27th November 2014
quotequote all
ADP68 said:
I'm not that knowledgeable on these watches, but really like them. Are the co-axial (presumably automatic) watches frowned upon by the cognoscenti?
There is only one Moon Watch, the Speedmaster Professional with a steel back and hesalite (acrylic) crystal. Everything else is simply a Speedmaster variant and that is certainly not a bad thing by any means.

The Moon watch today is outdated in every way, you buy it as a historical anachronism (a bit like a Morgan) and it's brilliant for it. The most modern Speedys though with the 9300 movement, decent water resistance and sapphire front and back are a rival for any other chrono out there. Gorgeous watches.

Depends what you want from a watch.

marcosgt

11,011 posts

175 months

Thursday 27th November 2014
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yeti said:
ADP68 said:
I'm not that knowledgeable on these watches, but really like them. Are the co-axial (presumably automatic) watches frowned upon by the cognoscenti?
There is only one Moon Watch, the Speedmaster Professional with a steel back and hesalite (acrylic) crystal. Everything else is simply a Speedmaster variant and that is certainly not a bad thing by any means.

The Moon watch today is outdated in every way, you buy it as a historical anachronism (a bit like a Morgan) and it's brilliant for it. The most modern Speedys though with the 9300 movement, decent water resistance and sapphire front and back are a rival for any other chrono out there. Gorgeous watches.

Depends what you want from a watch.
Exactly - A 'Moon Watch' is still pretty much the spec that went to the moon (Anoraks quibble, but the essentials are there), other Speedmasters are nice Chronos, but not 'Moon Watches'.

If you find a Speedmaster you like that isn't the standard, hand-wound model, ask yourself if it really matters that it isn't one of millions made to a very similar design to that that Astronauts wore. If it doesn't, just buy what you like.

M

Zingari

902 posts

172 months

Thursday 27th November 2014
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For me it ended up being an early 3570.50 (post moon landing) speedy with hesalite crystal.

The newer models dont cut it when you have options for other make/chrono styles available.

ADP68

528 posts

170 months

Thursday 27th November 2014
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Thank you both. This is a very educational place and I learn everyday.

THP150

318 posts

150 months

Thursday 27th November 2014
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And of course new ones have just gone up in price.

Dusty Noodle

Original Poster:

11 posts

181 months

Thursday 27th November 2014
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Thanks for comments. I think it would have to be an original for me too or as close as possible. I fear Omega try to keep up with competition. The moon watch should be available as issued. Sometimes technology has no place in the race for sales and fashion. Calculators are great but slide rules are beautiful and have there own place in history. Hope I make some sense.

Athlon

4,999 posts

205 months

Thursday 27th November 2014
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I love my Moonwatch and it will be the last one I part with if times get bad. it looks stunning, I love winding it in the morning,I love looking a it. If you love watches you will adore a Speedy imo of course..

XJSJohn

15,959 posts

218 months

Friday 28th November 2014
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Athlon said:
I love my Moonwatch and it will be the last one I part with if times get bad. it looks stunning, I love winding it in the morning,I love looking a it. If you love watches you will adore a Speedy imo of course..
yes same here, daft as it sounds mine would be the last to go too !!!!

Omega seem to do a (not very) limited run every few years that reverts back to the original moon watch spec, mine i believe dates from 1998 (but sitting here right now am not sure) and is an "EA Cernan Apollo XVII Last Man On The Moon" version

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omega_Speedmaster