Apollo 11 fact

[Spice_Weasel]

Today's Times has an article entitled 'The 15 Essential moon landing facts':
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/science/a...

The spacecraft’s [article appears to refer to the Lunar Module] mission timer was faulty. To ensure they had a reliable timer available to them during the launch from the surface, Neil left his wristwatch in the cabin during their historic walk on the Moon. Only Buzz wore a watch on the lunar surface, a standard-issue Omega Speedmaster Professional, that he considered to be inadequate for the job. After the mission, Aldrin sent it to a national museum – but it never arrived and to this day its whereabouts are unknown.

[immigrant]

Just been reading the same article. I wonder why he felt the watch was inadequate.

[Athlon]

As far as I understood it, the timer on one of the ships, poss the orbiter, was faulty so Neil left his Speedy as a back up timer for the later docking stuff, that is why Buzz's watch was the first Speedy on the moon.

So Neil did not lack confidence in the watc, rather he trusted it over the timers on the craft.

[Shuvi]

To this day, Omega use this line, “The first and only watch worn on the moon”, in their ad's and on the cases of Speedmasters. It isn't true.

We'll probably never know who wore what on the moon, it wasn't of any concern to anyone, except watchgeeks and Omega, so remains undocumented. We do know a couple of things though. David Scott wore a Waltham Chronograph on the moon during the Apollo 15 mission. We know that most astronauts preferred Rolex GMTs and carried them on missions. We also know an Omega broke, (nothing changes huh?) the crystal fell off.

[tertius]

Shuvi said:

To this day, Omega use this line, “The first and only watch worn on the moon”, in their ad's and on the cases of Speedmasters. It isn't true.

We'll probably never know who wore what on the moon, it wasn't of any concern to anyone, except watchgeeks and Omega, so remains undocumented. We do know a couple of things though. David Scott wore a Waltham Chronograph on the moon during the Apollo 15 mission. We know that most astronauts preferred Rolex GMTs and carried them on missions. We also know an Omega broke, (nothing changes huh?) the crystal fell off.

My Speedmaster caseback does not say that, it reads "Flight-qualified by NASA for all manned space missions" and "The first watch worn on the moon". (Though its all in CAPS should you care).

[Arun_D]

tertius said:

Shuvi said:

To this day, Omega use this line, “The first and only watch worn on the moon”, in their ad's and on the cases of Speedmasters. It isn't true.

We'll probably never know who wore what on the moon, it wasn't of any concern to anyone, except watchgeeks and Omega, so remains undocumented. We do know a couple of things though. David Scott wore a Waltham Chronograph on the moon during the Apollo 15 mission. We know that most astronauts preferred Rolex GMTs and carried them on missions. We also know an Omega broke, (nothing changes huh?) the crystal fell off.

My Speedmaster caseback does not say that, it reads "Flight-qualified by NASA for all manned space missions" and "The first watch worn on the moon". (Though its all in CAPS should you care).

There are a few variations. This one says exactly what Shuvi said.

http://www.bsodmike.com/articles/omega-speedmaster...

I forget what my old crystal back speedy pro said.

[tertius]

Arun_D said:

tertius said:

Shuvi said:

To this day, Omega use this line, “The first and only watch worn on the moon”, in their ad's and on the cases of Speedmasters. It isn't true.

We'll probably never know who wore what on the moon, it wasn't of any concern to anyone, except watchgeeks and Omega, so remains undocumented. We do know a couple of things though. David Scott wore a Waltham Chronograph on the moon during the Apollo 15 mission. We know that most astronauts preferred Rolex GMTs and carried them on missions. We also know an Omega broke, (nothing changes huh?) the crystal fell off.

My Speedmaster caseback does not say that, it reads "Flight-qualified by NASA for all manned space missions" and "The first watch worn on the moon". (Though its all in CAPS should you care).

There are a few variations. This one says exactly what Shuvi said.

http://www.bsodmike.com/articles/omega-speedmaster...

I forget what my old crystal back speedy pro said.

Thats daft - the display back model isn't even flight qualified.

[Shuvi]

tertius said:

Shuvi said:

To this day, Omega use this line, “The first and only watch worn on the moon”, in their ad's and on the cases of Speedmasters. It isn't true.

We'll probably never know who wore what on the moon, it wasn't of any concern to anyone, except watchgeeks and Omega, so remains undocumented. We do know a couple of things though. David Scott wore a Waltham Chronograph on the moon during the Apollo 15 mission. We know that most astronauts preferred Rolex GMTs and carried them on missions. We also know an Omega broke, (nothing changes huh?) the crystal fell off.

My Speedmaster caseback does not say that, it reads "Flight-qualified by NASA for all manned space missions" and "The first watch worn on the moon". (Though its all in CAPS should you care).

Calm down dear.

There have been a couple of variations over the years They added the 'only' bit long after everyone knew that it wasn't, it is the line used in all advertising and on almost all watches today. How dishonest is that?

[tertius]

Shuvi said:

tertius said:

Shuvi said:

To this day, Omega use this line, “The first and only watch worn on the moon”, in their ad's and on the cases of Speedmasters. It isn't true.

We'll probably never know who wore what on the moon, it wasn't of any concern to anyone, except watchgeeks and Omega, so remains undocumented. We do know a couple of things though. David Scott wore a Waltham Chronograph on the moon during the Apollo 15 mission. We know that most astronauts preferred Rolex GMTs and carried them on missions. We also know an Omega broke, (nothing changes huh?) the crystal fell off.

My Speedmaster caseback does not say that, it reads "Flight-qualified by NASA for all manned space missions" and "The first watch worn on the moon". (Though its all in CAPS should you care).

Calm down dear.

There have been a couple of variations over the years They added the 'only' bit long after everyone knew that it wasn't, it is the line used in all advertising and on almost all watches today. How dishonest is that?

I'm perfectly calm thanks - it was just for your (and others) information. Though mine is pretty recent, not more than 5 or 6 years old I think.

[Athlon]

Mine is very recent and does not state 'only' either.

[Strangely Brown]

The "only" variation is only on the display-back models, which are not flight qualified (go figure). The flight qualified, non-display-back model (3750.50) does NOT say "only".

Also, it is not "known" that most astronauts preferred Rolex GMTs although it is true that a couple did; notably Jack Swigert. The Omega that lost its crystal was Dave Scott's which is why he wore his backup watch on the lunar surface.

Finally, it *is* known that the Omega passed all of the NASA testing while the Rolex did not. Still, never let a silly thing like facts get in the way of a good Omega bash by a Rolex fan eh?

[Shuvi]

Strangely Brown said:

The "only" variation is only on the display-back models, which are not flight qualified (go figure). The flight qualified, non-display-back model (3750.50) does NOT say "only".

Also, it is not "known" that most astronauts preferred Rolex GMTs although it is true that a couple did; notably Jack Swigert. The Omega that lost its crystal was Dave Scott's which is why he wore his backup watch on the lunar surface.

Finally, it *is* known that the Omega passed all of the NASA testing while the Rolex did not. Still, never let a silly thing like facts get in the way of a good Omega bash by a Rolex fan eh?

If a Waltham was on the moon Omega cannot claim theirs is the only watch. That is a fact. It is a fact that 'only' is used in advertising. It is a fact it is on many watches. It isn't true If pointing lies is Omega bashing...

Check out many astronaut photo's guess what most are wearing. Many have admitted carrying GMTs as personal items. As I said, no one at the time documented who wore what where, however, the personal testimony of many that flew would suggest that Rolex was preferred. That's Omega bashing too I guess.

[Strangely Brown]

Shuvi said:

If a Waltham was on the moon Omega cannot claim theirs is the only watch. That is a fact. It is a fact that 'only' is used in advertising. It is a fact it is on many watches. It isn't true

I never said it was.

Shuvi said:

If pointing lies is Omega bashing...

No, your general tone is obviously anti-Omega. They are clearly milking the moon connection and they are pushing it too far, I agree. But you seem to have a bigger problem than that.

Shuvi said:

Check out many astronaut photo's guess what most are wearing.

Show me some?

Shuvi said:

Many have admitted carrying GMTs as personal items.

Since they clearly never told you personally, you must have read it. Show me where?

Shuvi said:

As I said, no one at the time documented who wore what where

That's true. It is not fully documented. But there is a pretty good summary of what *is* known here:

http://www.chronomaddox.com/moonmovement.html

Shuvi said:

however, the personal testimony of many that flew would suggest that Rolex was preferred.

Go on then, show me this personal testimony that states that.

Shuvi said:

That's Omega bashing too I guess.

No, it's unfounded assertion until you show otherwise.

ETA: I am actually genuinely interested in this testimony and photographic evidence that you refer to. I consider myself to be quite well read in the history of that period and I have never read any such thing.

BTW: Please don't just point me to Jake's Rolex Watch Blog. There are more assumptions and assertions in there than you can shake a stick at. Yes, there are photos of a few of the astronauts wearing what are assumed to be Rolex watches - some are impossible to tell - but certainly not "most" and there is no "personal testimony" that they were preferred. There is a great deal of speculation from a rabid Rolex fan though.

Still, I'd be interested to see what you have to offer.

Edited by Strangely Brown on Tuesday 7th July 15:12

[hectic]

[andy_s]

...anyway, I thought the rolex wasn't mission qualified as it used sapphire as opposed to hesalite (?), this meant if it shattered it would send acloud of shards into a zero g environment. The hesalite (?) wouldn't shatter. Just what I'd heard, I'm happy with sapphire on earth!

[Shuvi]

Strangely Brown said:

Shuvi said:

If a Waltham was on the moon Omega cannot claim theirs is the only watch. That is a fact. It is a fact that 'only' is used in advertising. It is a fact it is on many watches. It isn't true

I never said it was.

Shuvi said:

If pointing lies is Omega bashing...

No, your general tone is obviously anti-Omega. They are clearly milking the moon connection and they are pushing it too far, I agree. But you seem to have a bigger problem than that.

Shuvi said:

Check out many astronaut photo's guess what most are wearing.

Show me some?

Shuvi said:

Many have admitted carrying GMTs as personal items.

Since they clearly never told you personally, you must have read it. Show me where?

Shuvi said:

As I said, no one at the time documented who wore what where

That's true. It is not fully documented. But there is a pretty good summary of what *is* known here:

http://www.chronomaddox.com/moonmovement.html

Shuvi said:

however, the personal testimony of many that flew would suggest that Rolex was preferred.

Go on then, show me this personal testimony that states that.

Shuvi said:

That's Omega bashing too I guess.

No, it's unfounded assertion until you show otherwise.

ETA: I am actually genuinely interested in this testimony and photographic evidence that you refer to. I consider myself to be quite well read in the history of that period and I have never read any such thing.

BTW: Please don't just point me to Jake's Rolex Watch Blog. There are more assumptions and assertions in there than you can shake a stick at. Yes, there are photos of a few of the astronauts wearing what are assumed to be Rolex watches - some are impossible to tell - but certainly not "most" and there is no "personal testimony" that they were preferred. There is a great deal of speculation from a rabid Rolex fan though.

Still, I'd be interested to see what you have to offer.

Edited by Strangely Brown on Tuesday 7th July 15:12

You do realise, don't you, that my complaint is with the Swatch Group and the marketers they employ. I do not understand why you've resorted to personalising it, I'm 'an Omega basher' apparently.

Swatch claim Omega was the only watch worn on the moon, this is what we yokels call a lie. We know that it's a lie because an astronaut had one fall apart. Luckily, he took a Waltham as well as his Omega. Other astro's took other makes.

Google the other stuff yourself, or are you going to hold your breath until you turn blue if I don't?

Edited by Shuvi on Tuesday 7th July 21:54

[Romanymagic]

Strangely Brown said:

Shuvi said:

If a Waltham was on the moon Omega cannot claim theirs is the only watch. That is a fact. It is a fact that 'only' is used in advertising. It is a fact it is on many watches. It isn't true

I never said it was.

Shuvi said:

If pointing lies is Omega bashing...

No, your general tone is obviously anti-Omega. They are clearly milking the moon connection and they are pushing it too far, I agree. But you seem to have a bigger problem than that.

Shuvi said:

Check out many astronaut photo's guess what most are wearing.

Show me some?

Shuvi said:

Many have admitted carrying GMTs as personal items.

Since they clearly never told you personally, you must have read it. Show me where?

Shuvi said:

As I said, no one at the time documented who wore what where

That's true. It is not fully documented. But there is a pretty good summary of what *is* known here:

http://www.chronomaddox.com/moonmovement.html

Shuvi said:

however, the personal testimony of many that flew would suggest that Rolex was preferred.

Go on then, show me this personal testimony that states that.

Shuvi said:

That's Omega bashing too I guess.

No, it's unfounded assertion until you show otherwise.

ETA: I am actually genuinely interested in this testimony and photographic evidence that you refer to. I consider myself to be quite well read in the history of that period and I have never read any such thing.

BTW: Please don't just point me to Jake's Rolex Watch Blog. There are more assumptions and assertions in there than you can shake a stick at. Yes, there are photos of a few of the astronauts wearing what are assumed to be Rolex watches - some are impossible to tell - but certainly not "most" and there is no "personal testimony" that they were preferred. There is a great deal of speculation from a rabid Rolex fan though.

Still, I'd be interested to see what you have to offer.

Edited by Strangely Brown on Tuesday 7th July 15:12

Blimey, I own an Omega, a Rolex, a Raymond Weil and an Armani dress watch, I decide when I am going to where them and where, guess, what, no preference over any, they all mean personal things to me and I will wear them as I see fit. I guess the astronauts that landed on the moon had a similar aspect.

I don't rate any of my little collection over one another and I don't go in for brand bias, after all the only winners are the brand's, do you think because you believe Omega is better than Rolex that Omega or Rolex care, they don't they will still produce watches, the public will still aim to own these brands. Just because moon landing astronauts wore one watch or another does not put the watches that were not worn in a bad light.

Look if Omega want to make a thing of "Speedmasters to the moon" then does it really matter? Some people believe that man did not land on the moon which makes the watch argument look even more daft. No man on the moon, no wristwatch on the moon?!

Perhaps the people who favour Rolex could reach the conclusion that "yeah Omega make out they had watches worn on the moon, but we know different, snnarrrff!"

[Strangely Brown]

Shuvi said:

You do realise, don't you, that my complaint is with the Swatch Group and the marketers they employ. I do not understand why you've resorted to personalising it, I'm 'an Omega basher' apparently.

The general tone of your posts, littered with snide comments like...

Shuvi said:

We also know an Omega broke, (nothing changes huh?) the crystal fell off.

Yes, you appear to have a problem with Omegas and not just the marketing.

Shuvi said:

Swatch claim Omega was the only watch worn on the moon, this is what we yokels call a lie. We know that it's a lie because an astronaut had one fall apart. Luckily, he took a Waltham as well as his Omega. Other astro's took other makes.

There it is again... "had one fall apart". The watch did not "fall apart", the crystal popped off. Why do you feel the need to sensationalise it?

Shuvi said:

Google the other stuff yourself, or are you going to hold your breath until you turn blue if I don't?

No, I'll happily leave it as unsubstantiated assertion on your part. You made the claims therefore the onus is on you to back them up, not for me to prove them wrong.

[Shuvi]

Strangely Brown said:

Shuvi said:

You do realise, don't you, that my complaint is with the Swatch Group and the marketers they employ. I do not understand why you've resorted to personalising it, I'm 'an Omega basher' apparently.

The general tone of your posts, littered with snide comments like...

Shuvi said:

We also know an Omega broke, (nothing changes huh?) the crystal fell off.

Yes, you appear to have a problem with Omegas and not just the marketing.

Shuvi said:

Swatch claim Omega was the only watch worn on the moon, this is what we yokels call a lie. We know that it's a lie because an astronaut had one fall apart. Luckily, he took a Waltham as well as his Omega. Other astro's took other makes.

There it is again... "had one fall apart". The watch did not "fall apart", the crystal popped off. Why do you feel the need to sensationalise it?

Shuvi said:

Google the other stuff yourself, or are you going to hold your breath until you turn blue if I don't?

No, I'll happily leave it as unsubstantiated assertion on your part. You made the claims therefore the onus is on you to back them up, not for me to prove them wrong.

Grow up.