Why Omega?

[entropydave]

As a keen astronomer and having had the pleasure of meeting Buzz Aldrin a few weeks ago (I had to name drop!), I wondered why NASA picked Omega to be used on the Apollo missions instead of Rolex?
...I was wondering also if the self-wind rotor would work in zero G?!
I am trying a "gedanken experiment" to answer that one but I am struggling with it!

[Letsgodiving]

Here is a good article on it.

http://www.classicwristwatch.com/Wat...In%20Space.htm

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Al "Alcan" pretty much answered that one long ago:

Originally Posted by Alcan

It is. An automatic watch will work in zero gravity. Although gravity helps to move the rotor when the watch is held in the vertical plane, it does nothing when the watch is held in the horizontal plane.

Rotors are influenced by gravity but more so by inertia, the tendency of an object in motion to remain in motion. Witness the infamous "J.J. brandy swirl" when restarting a Rolex after it's run down. Gravity has nothing to do with that.

Nasa assumed (incorrectly) that an automatic watch wouldn't work in zero gravity.

From TimeZone:

"In 1965 NASA purchased five reputable chronographs (one of which was the Speedmaster) from several jewellery stores in Houston. NASA then proceeded to abuse the watches with tests of extreme environmental conditions. Their aim was to determine if a suitable watch was available for their Space Program. The final three contenders for the "Official" NASA chronograph were a Rolex, Longines Wittnauer and the Omega. The reasons for the Rolex's departure were that it stopped running on two occasions during the Relative Humidity Tests and subsequently failed during the High Temperature Test when the sweep hand warped and was binding against the other hands on the dial. No other tests were run with the Rolex Chronograph."

From WIkipedia:

"Reportedly NASA assumed that the automatic winding mechanism was based on pendulum action like Harwood's original design, requiring either a gravity field or constant acceleration. The weightless environment therefore raised doubts about the ability of an automatic watch to wind itself. In fact a full 360-degree winding mechanism should work even better in low or zero gravity, where the friction experienced by the mechanism is lower. The rotor can thus move longer and transfer more energy into the spring. The rotor is in any case easily activated by momentum and not dependent on gravity."

(to go to the thread, click on the arrow after "Alcan" in the quote, if you want to read more replies).

I LIKE the style Buzz Aldrin is wearing his watch, btw!

Reminds me a bit of the Mr. Agnelli (former CEO of Fiat motorcars) who used to wear his watch like that

Here is a pic of him:



It DOES look silly, doesn't it??

The story behind the way he wore his watch like this is that he did not like sweat on the inner side of his bracelet. I don't think he needed to brag about his watches

[entropydave]

That is excellent information! As for the way he wears his watch - nope, not for me... looks to me like he didn't get the strap set properly!
So... next to find me one of them Omegas!

[Lamone]

Looks like Buzz is sporting a Rolex!

[TARDIS]

Originally Posted by Lamone

Looks like Buzz is sporting a Rolex!

I thort so 2

[entropydave]

Y'know - I don't think it was - I couldn't see too closely but I am sure I would have noticed... I'll enlarge the original and see what I can see!

[slojoh]

why not