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The Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch

It would seem that no other watch has made as much of an impact as the Omega Speedmaster.  This watch model was especially chosen by NASA to be worn by their astronauts during the Apollo space program.   Interestingly, the Omega Speedmaster was not specifically designed to be worn in outer space.  It was actually available in the market from 1957, before the NASA selection.

Aside from its primary time-keeping function, the watch’s third hand has a stopwatch or chronograph function.  The Speedmaster also has three extra dials found on its face.  There is one dial each for every second, minute and hour elapsed.  These dials are all in keeping with the watch’s chronograph functions.

In 1962, NASA started purchasing watches for evaluation and that is how the Speedmaster received the honor of being the first watch on the moon.  During these evaluations, various watch models were tested in conditions that NASA professionals believed they would be subjected to, especially during EVA or Extra-vehicular activity.  The Speedmaster came out on top among the other models.  The watch was worn the conventional way when on Earth or inside the space shuttle.  However, when the astronauts were suited up, the watch is fitted with a Velcro strap designed to be worn on the wrist outside the space suit.

Omega Speedmasters were worn by Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong during the moon expedition.  Soon after this historical event, the Speedmaster became better known as the Moonwatch.  Only Buzz Aldrin’s Speedmaster made the trip back to Earth.  This is because Neil Armstrong left his own in the Lunar Module during an EVA, as the in-cabin time malfunctioned and he actually used the watch as a replacement.

Upon his return to Earth, Buzz Aldrin agreed to loan his Moonwatch to the Smithsonian Institution as part of its exhibit.  Unfortunately, the watch disappeared on transit and its exact whereabouts is unknown.  This event was documented in Buzz Aldrin’s book, “Return to Earth”, published in 1973.  There, he clearly stated that he packed the watch for pick-up by the Smithsonian.  But by the time it arrived at its destination, the package was empty and the watch was nowhere to be found.

Several years ago, a certain Stephen Morley claimed that the old Omega Speedmaster he bought from a weekly publication seller was the long-lost Buzz Aldrin Moonwatch.  He filed a lawsuit to determine if either NASA or the Smithsonian would confirm its authenticity.  Neither of them would confirm nor deny if the Speedmaster kept by Morley was the authentic first watch on the moon.  However, they stated that if the watch was indeed authentic, then ownership of the item should be held by the US government.

Until this day, the whereabouts of the original Moonwatch is still under dispute.  But that doesn’t change the fact that the Omega Speedmaster made a very significant contribution to scientific history.

Iconic watches has a fantastic range of Speedmasters click here to see…

This entry was posted on Friday, June 25th, 2010 at 4:58 pm and is filed under Omega, Watch Info and tagged with buzz, Buzz Aldrin, moon landin, moonlanding, moonwatch, Neil Armstrong, Omega. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.