Omega watches

Dave, I collect wrist watches and Omega is definetly one great option to consider, it is in my personal top-5 list.

The Constellations, Seamasters and Speedmasters are very sought after models, Chronograph option and gold is a plus of course as well as Moon-Watch dials that are very rare.

Vintage is also a big plus, but be aware of fake models, there are quite a few out there.

flez007 said:

Dave, I collect wrist watches and Omega is definetly one great option to consider, it is in my personal top-5 list.

The Constellations, Seamasters and Speedmasters are very sought after models, Chronograph option and gold is a plus of course as well as Moon-Watch dials that are very rare.

Vintage is also a big plus, but be aware of fake models, there are quite a few out there.

Click to expand...

When you refer to Moon-Watch dials, can you post a photo?
I mentioned in other post that I received the original Speedmaster that came with expandable metal band from the 70's for my highschool graduation... I had it sent to the Omega factory in mid 80's, and they replaced it with a regular metal band. I always called it a Moon Watch since they were the ones that went to the moon! Is it still collectable?

Ki

The moon watch is a specific model of the Speedmaster Professional. It has a special crystal, requested by NASA, that is not supposed to break into bits on impact. The dial is black and the back has a fancy engraving that indicates that the watch is qualified for manned space missions.

I have a moon watch, Omega Model 3570.50 I think it is. The "crystal" is hesalite which doesn't shatter when the window on your space shuttle breaks and you are suddenly sucked out the window. However, it does scratch easily.

Jay_s is correct, one can distinguish this model by the special work in the back, it is consider a collectable since it was a limited edition model ( not quite sure if the 007 is as well since there has been at least two iterations of this last one).

Davey.

I have ( I believe) the same model as yours. Mine is also 40-45 years old

The Omega Speedmaster Professional was flight qualified by NASA years before the moon landing. The notation on the back about qualification for manned space missions did not get added until after the moon landing.
Here is a link to a good history of the watch:
http://www.omega-addict.com/historyspm.html

Alex

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

Are you talking about the X-33? That's the model that Omega marketed as the Mars Watch.

HI Jay,
Yes, thanks for the correction. I got my numbers crossed. I'm not sure what I was thinking. I just checked. Neither the box or the watch is so marked. I'm sure the manual is but I can't find it right now. Anyway, I know you are right.

Update: I found the manual and there is no mention of X-33 or any other model number except "Speedmaster Professional". So, no where in any official notatations is X-33 mentioned. BTW, this is the Gen 1 version. The only mention I can see is a handwritten note on the price tag, on the box, that says X-33. I guess the sales folks were confused too.

I do like the watch a lot. It is beautifully thought out and easy to use. So, while I can't seem to remember its name, it's a favorite of mine.

Embarrassing!!

Sparky

Omega

My Speedmaster "Moon" is my Fav. Everytime I walk into a watch place somebody sez wanna sell it? & I laugh..............