posted 04-20-2004 08:33 PM               

OMEGA Speedmaster - From the Moon to Mars

The legendary "Moon Watch" - flight-qualified by NASA for manned spaceflight missions in 1965 and the only watch ever to be worn on the moon. Its timeless design remains ever-popular: stainless steel case and bracelet, OMEGA calibre 1861 mechanical hand-winding chronograph movement with hour and minute display, continuous small seconds hand, central chronograph seconds hand, 30 minute and 12 hour totalisers, and a power reserve of 45 hours. The Speedmaster Professional has luminous hands and hour markers (Super Luminova), a hesalite crystal as used on the original model and a screw-in case-back ensuring water resistance to 50 metres. The tachymeter scale on the black aluminium ring of the steel bezel allows calculation of a vehicle's speed, a machine's hourly production etc. The three counters on the dial bear depictions of the Earth, the Moon and Mars and the dial bears the inscription "From the Moon to Mars" between 5 o'clock and 3 o'clock. The same inscription is found on the case back, which also bears a sequential number.

posted 06-01-2004 08:03 AM               

Omega launches Speedmaster Professional Apollo 11 Insignia

Whilst every prestige watch manufacturer looks forward to celebrating an anniversary of one of its timepieces, only Omega can celebrate an anniversary that made one of its watches a legend. On 20 July 2004, it will be 35 years since mankind took its first steps on the moon. And it is thanks to the Omega Speedmaster that we can say he did so at 02:56.20 GMT precisely. Thanks to this unforgettable moment, but more importantly thanks to the expertise and reliability that led to the Speedmaster being selected for manned spaceflight missions in the first place, the Speedmaster Professional Chronograph remains as popular today as ever, with ardent fans and collectors always on the look-out for that special model...

Though the Speedmaster was first launched in 1957, relatively few changes have been made to its design or its movement over the years. After all, it would almost be foolhardy to abandon the highly robust case design, totally functional dial and unbeatably reliable movement that were instrumental in helping the Speedmaster become the only chronograph to pass the most stringent tests ever devised for a watch by NASA Nevertheless, the special edition for the 35th anniversary of the moon landing distinguishes itself in its own original manner with a unique sapphire crystal case back on which the Apollo 11 mission patch is glazed in colour. The case-back ring bears the special inscription "Apollo 11 35th anniversary Limited Edition" as well as the limited-edition number (0001/3500). The limited-edition status is also confirmed by a subtle inscription below the Omega Speedmaster Professional name on the dial, mentioning merely the date of the Apollo 11 landing "July 20, 1969" in red.

The 35th anniversary Speedmaster has a silver dial with applied hour markers with luminous dots and contrasting black counters for the continuous small seconds, 30-minute and 12-hour chronograph counters. It has the typical Speedmaster stainless-steel bezel with black aluminium ring bearing the tachymeter scale, rhodium-plated hands with SuperLuminova and stainless-steel bracelet with safety clasp. The movement is the classic Omega hand-winding chronograph calibre 1861, which has a 45-hour power reserve. It is a direct descendant of the original 321 and 861 calibres used in the very first Speedmasters and as such shares the same reliability and resistance that helped its predecessors withstand temperature fluctuations of over 100 C, shocks of 40g, acceleration of 16g and vibrations of between 5 and 2000 Hz during the NASA tests.

In commemoration of the 35th anniversary of the first lunar landing, Omega is producing a strictly limited series of 3500 individually numbered Speedmasters bearing the Apollo 11 insignia. As mankind today explores even more distant horizons, with NASA's Spirit and Opportunity Mars rovers currently stealing the headlines, these watches serve as a reminder of Omega's long-standing association with space exploration - an association that the brand will continue with the quest to return to the moon and, eventually, travel onwards to Mars.

posted 05-25-2005 02:14 PM               

Omega Speedmaster Professional special edition for the 40th anniversary of the first space walk

The special Speedmaster model created for Baselworld 2005 commemorates not only the 40th anniversary of the first space walk, but also the 40th anniversary of the Speedmaster's flight qualification for manned spaceflight missions. These important milestones are celebrated with a distinctive model with a blue dial and matching blue aluminium ring on the steel bezel. As a limited edition, this chronograph, like so many Speedmasters before it, is sure to be in great demand.

The Gemini space exploration programme was developed as an intermediate step between the Mercury and Apollo programmes. It was named after the third constellation of the zodiac, featuring the twin stars Castor and Pollux, in allusion to the two-man spacecraft. The main objectives of the programme were, among others, to subject two astronauts and their equipment to long-duration flights and to perfect methods of re-entry and landing the spacecraft at a pre-selected land-landing point -- both of which were important for later trips to the moon. The Gemini 4 mission that took off on 3 June 1965 was only the second manned mission in the Gemini programme, yet it nevertheless lasted 4 days, 1 hour, 56 minutes and 12 seconds and included the first-ever extra-vehicular activity. Not only did the historic press photos of Edward H. White's 36-minute space walk capture the world's imagination, they also stunned the people at Omega, who noticed he was wearing one of the brand's Speedmaster chronographs.

Having requested confirmation from NASA that White was indeed wearing a Speedmaster, Omega discovered one year later that its chronograph had in fact been flight-qualified for all manned space missions by NASA on 1 March 1965. In fact, it was a choice that was easily made, since it was the only chronograph that withstood the extreme conditions imposed by NASA's tests. Later the same month, the Speedmaster was for the first time worn officially on the Gemini 3 mission (it had already been worn in space by Walter Schirra, who had purchased it himself, on the Sigma 7 mission in 1962). Though greeted with considerable jubilation at the brand's headquarters in Bienne, Switzerland, this sensational news led to the most minor of changes to the watch: the addition of one word on the dial, turning the humble OMEGA Speedmaster into the legendary OMEGA Speedmaster Professional.

Even forty years after being flight-qualified by NASA -- and nearly fifty years since it was first launched -- today's Speedmaster Professional still bears more than just a striking resemblance to the models used in the Gemini programme. Equally, the legendary hand-wound chronograph movement used in the Speedmaster has also undergone relatively few modifications to bring it in line with today's mechanical watchmaking standards. In its current appellation, calibre 1861, it offers a power reserve of 45 hours and has rhodium-plated surfaces with polished bevelled edges, special wave decoration and circular-graining with gold-plated engravings.

The Gemini 4 limited-edition Speedmaster is characterised by its blue dial and silver counters for the 30-minute and 12-hour chronograph counters and continuous seconds. The blue theme is also continued on the bezel, with the familiar tachymeter scale reproduced on a blue aluminium ring. The commemorative nature of the timepiece is indicated by a subtle red engraving 1965-2005 below the Speedmaster name at 12 o'clock on the dial. The applied Omega symbol above the name, as well as 12 rhodium-plated hour markers, also add a hint of luxury and indicate that this Speedmaster is special. In all other respects, the watch remains a classic Speedmaster, with the same case, bracelet and hesalite crystal found on the "Moon Watch" -- the standard Speedmaster Professional model. However, one of its most striking features is destined to remain hidden most of the time, since it is the distinctive Gemini 4 mission patch, bearing the names of the crew, McDivitt and White, and an illustration of the first space walk, that is etched in colour on the sapphire crystal case back with the engraving "First Space Walk 40th Anniversary" and the limited-edition number (0001/2005).

In recognition of the 40th anniversary year, only 2005 of these models will be produced and will be offered in a special gift box. Naturally a must for any Speedmaster collector!

posted 07-30-2006 09:02 PM               

Omega Speedmaster Limited Edition Professional Moon Watch Apollo 15

To commemorate the 35th anniversary of the Apollo 15 space mission, Omega is proud to present the Speedmaster Apollo 15, which combines features of the original Moon Watch ─ the first and only watch worn on the moon ─ with new features. This limited edition consists of 1,971 watches, in honour of the year of the mission.

Classic elegance, fashionable flair

The 1861-calibre chronograph, with its manual-winding movement, has a power reserve of 48 hours. The dial is black with red-gold hour markers and SuperLuminova luminous dots. The red-gold hands are also SuperLuminova-coated. The Speedmaster Professional Moon Watch Apollo 15 has three recessed, two-tone counters: the 12-hour counter at six o'clock, the 30-minute counter at three o'clock and the small seconds counter at nine o'clock. All have stylish red-gold surrounds that match other features of the watch. The 18-carat red-gold bezel has a black aluminium ring with a tachymetric scale.

The 42 mm diameter case is of polished and brushed stainless steel with 18-carat red gold push buttons and crown. The sapphire crystal case back is etched with the special Apollo 15 patch, featuring three stylized birds representing the three astronauts of the Apollo 15 mission - Commander David R. Scott, Alfred M. Worden and James B. Irwin. The case back is engraved with the words "Apollo 15" and "35th anniversary", as well as the number of the limited edition and the Omega logo in black. The Speedmaster Professional Apollo 15 is water-resistant to a depth of 50 meters (167 feet).

The sold-link bracelet with the special Omega safety clasp is made of brushed and polished stainless steel.

The Speedmaster Professional Moon Watch Apollo 15 is supplied in an elegant, matt silver wooden gift box lined in black. This striking silver and black box sets off the silver and black features of the watch. The box features the special Apollo 15 patch and the Omega logo in silver.

The Legendary Speedmaster Professional Moon Watch

On March 1, 1965, following two years of rigorous testing, the Omega Speedmaster was chosen by the NASA as the only chronograph to be flight-qualified for manned space missions. It had been the only chronograph to successfully complete the American Space Agency's stringent tests that included exposure to extreme temperatures, vacuums, intense humidity, corrosion, shocks, acceleration, pressure, vibrations and noise. The Omega Speedmaster was officially worn for the first time on the Gemini 3 mission, launched later that month on March 23, 1965.

The Omega Speedmaster, known universally as the Moon Watch, became the standard issue for all American astronauts and was the first watch to be worn during an EVA -- Extra Vehicular Activity -- (outside a spacecraft). It remains the first and only watch worn on the moon when history was made on July 21, 1969.

The Apollo 15 Space Mission -- "Endeavour and Falcon" -- 26 July to 7 August 1971

Apollo 15 was the second longest of all the Apollo space missions, taking 12 days, 17 hours and 12 minutes, and the first to use the Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV), a car-like vehicle that carried scientific instruments for deployment on the Moon and gave the astronauts extended range for exploration. David R. Scott and James B. Irwin covered 27.9 km in the LRV and returned with one of the prize trophies of the Apollo program -- a sample of ancient lunar crust named the "Genesis Rock".

Since it was originally launched, the Speedmaster has secured a truly illustrious reputation as an invaluable partner in the field of space exploration. To commemorate the 35th anniversary of the Apollo 15 mission, Omega has produced a Limited Edition model of 1971 timepieces. This exclusive Moon Watch retains the traditional characteristics of the Speedmaster Professional chronograph with the addition of the Apollo 15 patch etched on the case back.

posted 01-20-2009 12:45 PM               

Apollo 11 "40th Anniversary" Limited Edition

The first manned lunar landing on the 20th of July, 1969 was the greatest, most dramatic scientific achievement in human history. When Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin stepped onto the moon's surface at 02:56 GMT on the 21st of July, Aldrin was wearing his OMEGA Speedmaster and a legend was born. An interesting footnote: the electronic timing system on the Lunar Module was not functioning correctly so Armstrong had left his watch aboard as a reliable backup.

Now OMEGA joins the world in the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the first moon landing with the release of the Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch Apollo 11 "40th Anniversary" Limited Edition.

It is fitting that the distinctive timepiece is powered by OMEGA's famous calibre 1861, the same movement used in the original Speedmaster Professional Moon Watch. The stainless steel casebody is delivered with a stainless steel bracelet which has been upgraded to include OMEGA's patented screw and pin system.

The black dial also recalls that of the Moon Watch with some key differences. The small seconds counter (sub-dial) has been created in the form of a small medallion which features an adaptation of Apollo 11's famous mission patch: an eagle descends to the lunar surface with an olive branch representing peace in its claws. In the distance, far above the horizon, the earth is visible. The patch, interestingly, was designed by Michael Collins who remained in the Apollo 11 capsule as Command Module Pilot while his colleagues Armstrong and Aldrin were in the Lunar Module and on the moon.

The watch's hour, minute and the red-tipped chronograph seconds hands are coated with Super-LumiNova. The minute and hour chronograph counter hands are white and the brushed, rhodium-plated small seconds hand offers an attractive contrast to the medallion on the counter.

Below the words "OMEGA Speedmaster PROFESSIONAL" on the dial, the legend 02:56 GMT - the exact time that Neil Armstrong made his "one small step" onto the moon - is displayed in red.

The 40th Anniversary Limited Edition's dial is protected by Hesalite, the same robust, shatter-proof acrylic crystal found on the original Moon Watch. Hesalite was ideally suited for use in space - there was no chance that it could break apart and send potentially dangerous fragments into the low-gravity environment. A small, distinctive OMEGA logo has been etched evocatively inside the Hesalite crystal.

The Apollo 11 "Eagle" mission patch is stamped on the caseback along with the words, "THE FIRST WATCH WORN ON THE MOON", the limited edition number (0000/7969), and "July 21, 1969", the date Armstrong and Aldrin first stepped onto the moon's surface at 02:56, the time which is printed on the dial.

The OMEGA Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch Apollo 11 "40th Anniversary" Limited Edition is delivered in a black presentation box which also includes a 42 mm silver medal (the same diameter as the watch) featuring an engraving of the mission patch on one side with the words "APOLLO 11, 40th ANNIVERSARY". On the reverse side, the medal is engraved, "THE EAGLE HAS LANDED"; "LAUNCHED JULY 16 1969"; "LANDED JULY 20, 1969"; and "RETURNED, JULY 24, 1969" along with OMEGA's name and logo. Also in the presentation box is a certificate of authenticity and an envelope containing a black polishing cloth with information commemorating the historic space flight.

Centuries from now, historians will continue to look back in wonder at the Apollo 11 mission. For the first time ever, human beings had left Earth, walked on another celestial body, and returned safely home. OMEGA will always be proud of the role it played in the greatest scientific adventure of all time.

posted 04-02-2009 05:29 PM               

Houston, We Have A News Conference: The Original Space Cowboys Come To Basel

Omega presented one of the most compelling and best-attended events at this year's Baselworld trade fair. Four astronauts who wore their OMEGA Speedmasters on the Moon were joined by other key players in NASA's manned space program at a news conference at the Swatch Group Plaza in the middle of the Hall of Dreams on Saturday, March 28th.

On the 20th of July, Omega and the rest of the world will commemorate the 40th anniversary of the first lunar landing and the event was an advance celebration of one of mankind's most historic adventures.

Moonwalkers Buzz Aldrin, Charles Duke, Harrison Schmitt and Eugene Cernan took the stage along with their colleague Thomas Stafford, who commanded the Apollo 10 mission, and Swiss astronaut Claude Nicollier. The dream panel for space aficionados was rounded out by Gerald Griffin, one of NASA's lead flight directors for the Apollo missions and Jim Ragan, the aerospace engineer responsible for the chronograph tests which led to the selection of the Speedmaster as the only watch qualified for each of NASA's manned space flights since May of 1963.

The event began with comments from Omega president Stephen Urquhart, who spoke with pride about his company's long relationship with NASA and its astronauts. Swatch Group CEO Nick Hayek remembered that the Apollo 11 landing had impressed him so much as a 14-year-old that his parents bought him a Speedmaster at the time. He described the astronauts as "my personal heroes". Hayek added, "We all know what it is to dream and these guys lived our dreams better than anyone else."

The CEO's father, Swatch Group Chairman Nicolas G. Hayek said that he was thrilled to be able to participate in an event "which honours this American face we love - these people who create and do things."

Master of ceremonies, science journalist Roland Goerg, then introduced the astronauts and scientists, making brief comments about each as he invited them to the podium.

The first one to take his place on stage was Buzz Aldrin who was, with Neil Armstrong, one of the first men to land on the Moon and the second to set foot on the lunar surface. He recalled the launch day vividly: "I found myself standing by myself. In the distance I could see the sun and the waves of the ocean and the millions of people who had come to watch the launch. I knew that it was a moment I would never forget."

Gerald Griffin, a legendary flight director for the Apollo missions said that as Apollo 11's Lunar Module descended to the Moon's surface, there was an unusual stillness at Mission Control in Houston. "It was normally a beehive of activity," he said, "but for those seconds, you could hear a pin drop. No one breathed until we heard Neil say, 'Houston. Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed.'"

Talking about the unique challenges of operating the Lunar Rover on the Moon's surface on later missions, Charles Duke of Apollo 16 pointed out that the Lunar Rover had the potential to be driven quite a distance from the landing site. "But we never went more than a few kilometres away because if it broke down, we'd have to walk back."

Jim Ragan was responsible for testing the chronographs to be used by NASA's astronauts. Ragan described placing a "nebulous order for price quotes on chronographs." He said that the suppliers in the early 1960s knew the watches were for NASA but had no idea what they were to be used for.

Referring to the OMEGA Speedmaster, Ragan said, "To the best of my knowledge, the Speedmaster is the only piece of hardware which was used from the very beginning without any modification."

OMEGA president Urquhart quickly commented to loud applause, "And that's why forty years later we haven't changed it."

Gene Cernan who walked on the Moon with Harrison Schmitt in the last Apollo mission added, "In time, I can assure you that we will send a manned mission to Mars and when that happens, the first astronaut to step onto the Martian surface will be wearing a Speedmaster."

Swiss astronaut Claude Nicollier was part of four space shuttle missions, having flown on Atlantis, Endeavour, Columbia and Discovery. He was also the first European to take a space walk when he had the responsibility of repairing the Hubble Space Telescope.

Nicollier described OMEGA's new challenge - the company is providing capital and technological support to the Solar Impulse project whose aim is to circumnavigate the globe in an airplane powered only by the sun. Nicollier is actively involved in the project, having designed a special tool to help pilots land the aircraft.

At the end of the news conference, Buzz Aldrin was presented with an OMEGA Speedmaster Apollo 11 "40th Anniversary" Limited Edition Moonwatch which was released to commemorate his and Neil Armstrong's historic walks on the Moon nearly 40 years ago.

Moderator Roland Goerg commented on the panellists: "These men are true heroes of our time. They invested all their energy and talent; they risked their lives to make a dream come true."

It was particularly fitting that the astronauts shared the stage with two men who worked behind the scenes: one, a flight director who dedicated his professional life to making sure that the astronauts returned safely to earth, and another, who more than 45 years ago, approved the only watch to be qualified for all manned spaceflights: the OMEGA Speedmaster.

posted 06-05-2009 12:43 AM               

Dr. Buzz Aldrin: Legendary Moonwalker Lands at OMEGA's NYC Boutique

On July 20th the world will celebrate the 40th anniversary of the first lunar landing. On Wednesday, June 3, 2009, the OMEGA Flagship Boutique in New York City hosted an event featuring Apollo 11 lunar module pilot, Dr. Buzz Aldrin. Dr. Aldrin was the second man to walk on the Moon and the first to wear an OMEGA Speedmaster on the lunar surface. He was joined by Stephen Urquhart, the president of OMEGA.

Dr. Aldrin donated his own Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch to OMEGA; the watch will be part of the boutique's permanent display. Photos were taken with an authentic Apollo mission space suit followed by a press conference and a series of one-on-one interviews with key members of the local and national press.

A VIP cocktail reception attended by many celebrities and prominent New Yorkers capped off the eventful day.

posted 03-18-2010 08:07 PM               

OMEGA Speedmaster Professional Apollo-Soyuz "35th Anniversary"

The Apollo-Soyuz Test Project mission is remembered for its political, technological and historical significance. It was the first time that spacecraft built by different nations had docked and it signaled an era of cooperation in space which would lead to the efforts to build a permanently occupied space station.

Political history in space

On July 17, 1975, astronaut Lieutenant General Thomas P. Stafford (USA) and cosmonaut Lieutenant General Alexei A. Leonov (USSR) met in the docking hatch which linked their respective spacecraft. On their wrists, these space pioneers each wore OMEGA Speedmaster Professional chronographs.

The mission also marked the last launch of an Apollo spacecraft.

Commemorating a handshake

The 35th anniversary of their historic handshake is commemorated with the release of the Omega Speedmaster Professional Apollo Soyuz "35th Anniversary" chronograph in a limited edition of 1975 watches.

A meteorite dial

The dial has been created from a meteorite which survived its entry into our planet's atmosphere and the high-speed impact with the terrestrial surface. The meteorite's unusual structure is the result its very high temperature when it enters the Earth's atmosphere, followed by a period of cooling. The dial is a single piece cut from the meteorite; accordingly, because no two pieces of the meteorite are exactly alike, each watch in this limited edition is absolutely unique.

The black color of the meteorite dial is the result of a surface oxidation process. The silvery seconds hand and chronograph counters appear in the meteorite's natural colour.

posted 07-26-2011 09:19 AM               

OMEGA Speedmaster Moonwatch "Apollo 15" 40th Anniversary Limited Edition

Apollo 15 was the fourth of NASA's six missions to land on the Moon. OMEGA has created the Speedmaster Moonwatch "Apollo 15" 40th Anniversary Limited Edition to commemorate this important and successful mission.

Apollo 15 was the fourth of NASA's six missions to land on the Moon. It was the first to feature a long duration stay on the lunar surface and there was a greater focus on science than there had been on previous missions. Most notably, it was the first mission where the Lunar Roving Vehicle was used.

The Apollo 15 mission began on July 26, 1971; the crew landed on the Moon four days later and they wouldn't splash down until the 7th of August. The adventure had lasted more than twelve days!

OMEGA commemorates a successful mission

OMEGA has created the Speedmaster Moonwatch "Apollo 15" 40th Anniversary Limited Edition to commemorate this important and successful mission.

It is a classic Moonwatch: it has a polished and brushed stainless steel case and bracelet, a black aluminum ring with a tachymeter scale on the bezel and a domed shatterproof hesalite crystal with Ω etched inside. Its three subdials are arranged in true Speedmaster Professional fashion on the black dial: the small seconds at 9 o'clock, the 12-hour counter at 6 o'clock and the 30-minute counter at 3 o'clock.

Some distinguishing features

There are also some features which distinguish the Apollo 15 40th Anniversary model from the classic Speedmaster Professional. This Limited Edition timepiece has a minute track in blue, white and red – the three colors of the Apollo 15 patch. There is a blue ring around the small seconds subdial; there are white and red rings around the 12-hour and 30-minute counters respectively.

The screw-in caseback is embossed with an image of the Lunar Rover and the words "APOLLO 15" and "40th ANNIVERSARY". The outer circle of the caseback is black chrome engraved with "THE FIRST WATCH WORN ON THE MOON", "JULY 30, 1971" and the limited edition number.

An iconic movement

At the heart of the Speedmaster Moonwatch "Apollo 15" 40th Anniversary Limited Edition wristwatch is the classic OMEGA caliber 1861, the same manual-winding chronograph that equips the legendary Speedmaster Professional.

The OMEGA Speedmaster Moonwatch "Apollo 15" 40th Anniversary was created in an edition limited to 1,971 pieces.

posted 03-26-2014 03:54 PM               

Speedmaster Apollo 11 45th Anniversary Limited Edition

Honoring a historic occasion

The OMEGA Speedmaster Professional Apollo 11 45th Anniversary Limited Edition wristwatch commemorates the first lunar landing and celebrates its link to the iconic chronograph that was part of the adventure.

Laser-engraved dial

The black PVD dial has been produced using a special laser which creates the design elements on the watch's face by removing the material surrounding the name, sub-dial numerals and hour markers.

OMEGA Sedna gold

The Speedmaster Professional Apollo 11 45th Anniversary Limited Edition is enhanced with 18K OMEGA Sedna gold hands and indexes and a matching bezel.

NATO strap

Another striking feature of the Speedmaster Professional Apollo 11 45th Anniversary Limited Edition watch is its brown coated nylon fabric strap which is inspired by the NATO straps that have equipped the timepieces issued to military personnel since the end of the 1950s.

Limited Edition

This timepiece has been produced in an edition limited to 1,969 pieces. It is fitted with calibre 1861, a manual-winding chronograph movement.

Technical Specifications

Movement

• Caliber: Omega 1861
  
• Famous manual-winding chronograph movement that was worn on the Moon.
  
• Rhodium-plated finish. Power reserve: 48 hours

Features

• Chonograph
  
• Small seconds
  
• Tachymeter
  
• Limited Edition

Technical Data

• Crystal: Scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both sides
  
• Case: Titanium - Sedna Gold
  
• Bracelet: Leather strap
  
• Dial: Grey
  
• Water resistant: 5 bar (50 metres / 167 feet)
  
• Size: Case Diameter: 42 mm

Availability

• Avant-premiere at Baselworld, available in stores in June 2014

posted 12-15-2014 08:06 AM               

OMEGA continues its spacy legacy with ESA, the European Space Agency

A new Speedmaster chronograph has been developed together by OMEGA and ESA.

Since the 1960s, OMEGA has been strongly linked to NASA, the conquest of space and all six lunar landings. On 11 December, the brand announced that a new Speedmaster chronograph - the Speedmaster Skywalker X-33 - has been tested and qualified by the European Space Agency (ESA). OMEGA and ESA collaborated on the development of this unusual timepiece, which will be included in the standard equipment issued to astronauts by the space agency.

Describing the brand's association with ESA, President of OMEGA Stephen Urquhart said: "We are delighted that our friends at the European Space Agency have tested and qualified the Speedmaster Skywalker X-33 for all its piloted missions, which is a natural extension of our long relationship with NASA and its space programme. ESA's abilities and ambitions are extraordinary, as demonstrated by their recent high-profile successes with Rosetta and Philae, and we are proud that their name and endorsement grace the back of this iconic chronograph."

Testing the Speedmaster Skywalker X-33

The Speedmaster Skywalker X-33 was subjected to and passed five sets of rigorous tests which included space radiation, depressurisation and repressurisation, intense vibrations simulating those that the cargo in a spacecraft would experience during launch, centrifuge tests with speeds reaching 5 Gs and 7 Gs, and performance analyses in extreme space vacuum temperatures ranging from –45 degrees Celsius to +75 degrees Celsius.

The tests were performed sequentially and each timepiece was visually inspected and its functions were reviewed before and after each procedure.

The OMEGA Speedmaster Skywalker X-33

Designed especially for space explorers, the Speedmaster Skywalker X-33 evolved from the Speedmaster Professional X-33, which was released in 1998. The new Speedmaster Skywalker X-33 has been innovatively upgraded and, powered by an advanced quartz calibre, it was developed to meet the needs not only of astronauts but of anyone who can appreciate its impressive variety of functions.

The OMEGA Speedmaster Skywalker X-33 is powered by the multi-functional quartz chronograph movement, OMEGA calibre 5619, with a thermo-compensated integrated circuit. The new X-33 model has been tested and qualified by the European Space Agency and was developed under an ESA patent license based on an invention by ESA astronaut Jean-François Clervoy.

Further information about the Skywalker X-33 here.

posted 03-19-2015 06:59 PM               

The Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional Silver Snoopy Award

Marking the 45th anniversary of NASA's "successful failure"

On April 17, 1970, the world watched as the Apollo 13 Command Module landed in the Pacific Ocean after an unexpected crisis occurred 200,000 miles away from Earth. Apollo 13 was the seventh manned mission in the Apollo program and the third that was intended to land on the Moon – a goal that was dashed when one of the two oxygen tanks on the Service Module exploded on route. The mission was aborted and the astronauts completed a number of mid-course corrections in order to achieve the trajectory that would allow them to re-enter Earth's atmosphere.

The Omega Speedmaster Apollo 13 Silver Snoopy Award pays homage to the unforgettable mission 45 years ago and celebrates the teamwork, quick thinking, ingenuity and courage that brought Commander Jim Lovell, Command Module Pilot Jack Swigert and Lunar Module Pilot Fred Haise home safely.

A closer look at the timepiece shows that Snoopy, the beloved dog from the Peanuts cartoon and a NASA mascot, decorates the dial and the caseback — a small tribute to the Silver Snoopy Award that OMEGA was presented with in 1970 in recognition of its contributions to the entire Apollo programme.

Classic black and white

The dial of the Speedmaster Apollo 13 Silver Snoopy Award, inspired by the black and white comic strips printed in newspapers, is at once recognizable as the inverse of its legendary predecessor. The white dial contrasts the black varnished Moonwatch-style hands and the polished black ceramic bezel, which features a Super-LumiNova tachymeter scale. Super-LumiNova is also found on the central hour, minute and chronograph seconds hands. The luminescent material was used to make the indexes and their glow is enhanced by the black varnish that fills the indexes' top cavities.

Words to live by

Distinguishing this limited edition timepiece are the two inscriptions that decorate the dial. Fourteen small squares between zero and 14 seconds on the dial come together to form a long comic strip, with the words "What could you do in 14 seconds?" written underneath. The question is a nod to the 14-second mid-course correction that the Apollo 13 astronauts timed with their on-board back-up timing device: the OMEGA Speedmaster.

At the center of the dial is the quote: "Failure is not an option." These inspiring words were spoken by actor Ed Harris who played Apollo 13 Flight Director Gene Kranz in the 1995 film about the historic mission, Apollo 13. A small image of a sleeping Snoopy painted on the dial with Super-LumiNova is positioned in the small seconds sub-dial at 9 o'clock and it appears as if he is dreaming of the token phrase that is often used in association with the mission.

One-of-a-kind caseback

Among the most interesting and intriguing features of the timepiece is its alluring caseback. Protected by a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal is a 925 silver medallion that resembles the pin that accompanied the Silver Snoopy Award that OMEGA received in 1970. The silver Snoopy is mounted on a plate of the same material and is surrounded by dark blue enamel. Silver powder is sprinkled by hand over the enamel of each individual caseback, giving the impression that Snoopy is floating in space. "SILVER SNOOPY AWARD", "EYES ON THE STARS", "45TH ANNIVERSARY", "0000/1970" and "APOLLO XIII" are engraved in the stainless steel caseback in black.

Final touches

The 42 mm stainless steel timepiece is presented on a black coated nylon fabric strap with white stitching and a foldover clasp. The Speedmaster Apollo 13 Silver Snoopy Award will be produced in an edition limited to 1,970 pieces. At its heart is the OMEGA caliber 1861, the same manual-winding chronograph movement that powered the legendary Moonwatch.

The OMEGA Speedmaster Apollo 13 Silver Snoopy Award is offered with a full two-year warranty and is water resistant to 5 bar (50 meters/167 feet).