HI All,
Well, the Speedmaster Professional seems to getting a lot of admiration. I have a 1972 version of the "Moon Watch" with the "First Watch Worn On The Moon" engraved on the case back. Which means it is not really the moon watch which was not engraved and had a different movement. The engraving and the 861 movement came about a year after the Apollo 11 landing. Mine is the 145.022, with the 861 movement. It is perfect. It's amazing to me that a watch this old can still keep perfect time (if I can remember to wind it!) and its chronometer works just as it should.
I also have an Omega X7 Speedmaster Professional. This is a much later watch that was developed for the Space Shuttle missions. Many people call it the Mar's Watch. It is a digital multifunction watch, with analog hands, with just about every feature an astronaut could want. Both the case and the band are made from titanium. It has flown on many shuttle missions. It is a lovely watch. Because of its battery, the X7 is not qualified for extra-vehicular activity.
For that, the original Speedmaster Profesional, actually the one like mine with the later movement, is still used; still the only space qualified watch along with its predecessor model. In truth, the watch historians are not really clear which specific versions are currently used for space walks. The movement was changed again to the 1861 around 1990. The change was very minor. The 1861 is still the same basic movement as the 861. Both are excellent but I don't believe the 1861 was ever subjected to NASA's rigorous qualificaiton testing where as the 861 was qualification tested several times. So, I'm not sure if the 1861 is used in space. Probably it is. Pretty amazing history, huh?
Of the two watches, a choice is difficult. They are very different and appeal to different parts of my personality. I suppose, if I had to choose, it would be the earlier Moon Watch by a nose because of its historical significance and I think it is truly gorgeous.
Sparky