No hate..just curios..why did NASA decide to take the Omega Speedy over Rolex ?

[johnsonsxusfrt]

for NASA these watches were to be used as backup timers should the onboard systems fail. So they tested multiple watches under various pressure and temperature to ensure they maintained function and kept good time. Speedmaster was the only one that passed.

Fun fact, Rolex put Cosmograph on the Daytona because they were certain they would be selected.

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by johnsonsxusfrt

Fun fact, Rolex put Cosmograph on the Daytona because they were certain they would be selected.

I never heard about that.
Interesting

I also imagine that the wrist watch was intended to be a key part of their basic kit for any EVA's.
As far as i know, it still is which is a key consideration and more importantly it has to be a mechanical watch of some description in that instance.

[Deppe]

Originally Posted by johnsonsxusfrt

Fun fact, Rolex put Cosmograph on the Daytona because they were certain they would be selected.

Source in this?

This one mentions it as merely a theory: https://wristporn.com/blogs/news/wha...raph-explained

Instead they offer another explanation for the Cosmograph name:

“The term Cosmograph started to appear on Rolex watches during the 1950s. Specifically, Rolex gave the name to the Rolex Moonphase reference 6062 to describe watches with a moon phase and calendar function. This model featured both a moon phase function and stars on it, so with the above explanation of the term in mind, the name made perfect sense for the model.”

However, I don’t know enough about vintage Rolex to confirm the above.

[Sergio_UKR]

NASA Couldn't wait 2-3 years for an allocation from Rolex AD. :D

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by Sergio_UKR

NASA Couldn't wait 2-3 years for an allocation from Rolex AD. :D

[fskywalker]

Originally Posted by Sergio_UKR

NASA Couldn't wait 2-3 years for an allocation from Rolex AD. :D

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[SudiYunus]

Originally Posted by Sergio_UKR

NASA Couldn't wait 2-3 years for an allocation from Rolex AD. :D

[Marcjvr]

Originally Posted by TheVision

Just watched "First Man" movie on Netflix last night and loved the history and the moon landing bit....tons of camera shots for the speedy as well.

Just curious..what made NASA choose the omega speedy as the moon watch over Rolex when all the popular models like daytona, Explorer, sub, gmt were readily available in 1960s? Was it the hand winding on the speedy that made more sense up in space?

I've owned several Omega in the past (smp old and current gen, planet ocean, Aquaterra) and love the brand ...I had to sell most of it to fund my sub date.

Cheers.

[ArtNouveau]

My tiny link to the NASA saga is that I bought my first two Rolex from Corrigans Jewelers in Houston. NASA bought their test subjects anonymously from the local AD to avoid any ringers being thrown out by the manufacturers. That local chain has been gone for decades now.

[Old Expat Beast]

Daytona wasn't automatic till 1988. Seiko released the first auto chronograph in 1969 and that was first used in space in 1973.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Daytona wasn't automatic till 1988. Seiko released the first auto chronograph in 1969 and that was first used in space in 1973.

I always appreciate your knowledge of the brand Adam

[jlovda]

My wife and I were very fortunate to have a personal tour of the main Rolex headquarters in Geneva in 1983. In the main front lobby there was a GMT in a display case that was worn by one of the Apollo astronauts. I do not remember what flight or individual.

[flyinghell34]

Originally Posted by jlovda

My wife and I were very fortunate to have a personal tour of the main Rolex headquarters in Geneva in 1983. In the main front lobby there was a GMT in a display case that was worn by one of the Apollo astronauts. I do not remember what flight or individual.

I believe that is the Rolex GMT that Jack Swigert wore on Apollo 13 that he gifted to Rolex.

[MILGAUSS88]

Originally Posted by TheVision

Was it the hand winding on the speedy that made more sense up in space?

An automatic chronograph was not released until 1969, and Rolex would not offer an automatic chronograph until another 20 years.

[Dirt]

Personally, i have had more problems with the Auto wind mechanism on any and all of my watches.
In the fullness of time we can see that an Auto winder could be a potential weakness in that application if it recieved a serious knock and it was a key component of their kit due to the added complexity.

Perhaps it was a fluke that they didn't actually speak to, or single out Auto winders for special mention in the wording for the original specs
Most coincidental.

With all watches under serious consideration and they state that manual winding capability is one of the key requirements

[JRell]

Because NASA was on the Rolex wait list and couldn’t get one in time before blast off.

[0nly5iv3Digits]

It simply outperformed all the other watches chosen for testing, including Heuer and Rolex.

[WatchGuy1966]

Originally Posted by TheVision

Just watched "First Man" movie on Netflix last night and loved the history and the moon landing bit....tons of camera shots for the speedy as well.

Just curious..what made NASA choose the omega speedy as the moon watch over Rolex when all the popular models like daytona, Explorer, sub, gmt were readily available in 1960s? Was it the hand winding on the speedy that made more sense up in space?

I've owned several Omega in the past (smp old and current gen, planet ocean, Aquaterra) and love the brand ...I had to sell most of it to fund my sub date.

Cheers.

There are probably more published articles on the Speedmaster than any other watch in existence. A quick google on your question "what made NASA choose the omega speedy as the moon watch" results in hundreds of pages of results.

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by WatchGuy1966

There are probably more published articles on the Speedmaster than any other watch in existence. A quick google on your question "what made NASA choose the omega speedy as the moon watch" results in hundreds of pages of results.

True.
But no mention of what is clearly the most important factor.
I reckon it's the best kept secret since the studio filming of the Apollo XI moonwalk. Just in case mind you

[padi56]

Originally Posted by TheVision

Just watched "First Man" movie on Netflix last night and loved the history and the moon landing bit....tons of camera shots for the speedy as well.

Just curious..what made NASA choose the omega speedy as the moon watch over Rolex when all the popular models like daytona, Explorer, sub, gmt were readily available in 1960s? Was it the hand winding on the speedy that made more sense up in space?

I've owned several Omega in the past (smp old and current gen, planet ocean, Aquaterra) and love the brand ...I had to sell most of it to fund my sub date.

Cheers.

Omega yes it too has a fine movement but then manual wind but only Buzz and Armstrong are the only people to say what the first watch on the moon was. IMO it was most likely a speedy with the Cal 321,there were other readings that a Waltham and a Rolex GMT were used as a back up.But everything I have read my only conclusion is that the Omega Speedmaster had the Cal 321 movement on the lunar landing based on the Lemania 27CHRO-C12 and the only true moon watch.

And its documented that Jack Swigert's wore a Rolex GMT-Master in the main lunar orbit ship, plus there was some kind of Bulova watch/clock somewhere in the spacecraft, but the claim that a Bulova time piece was on the Moon IMHO is little more than pure marketing by them. What I have read Aldrin's speedmaster was the first on the lunar surface, so its logical that he could have worn the same watch he had issued for the Gemini X11, IMO possibly a 1966 speedy when they first put professional on dial REF ST105012, perhaps the later 1968 ST 145.012 model was left in the ship as a back up timer for computer. But one of the most important things on board the Apollo lunar mission were the mechanical watches no matter what the brand.

Speedmaster's relationship with outer space,began when they went to Corrigans shop a Texas dealer in 1961.And the NASA buyer bought 5 different brands of chronographs and some failed the NASA test, the Omega Speedmaster was passed mainly IMHO because it was manual wind. NASA tested a number of other Speedmasters in the 1960s prior to Gemini Apollo flight. All these watches were before they changed to the Cal 861 movement, NASA bought another large quantity of Speedmasters in the later 60s,and in 1966 Omega added the word Professional to the speedy. It has been said that Neil Armstrong,had a problem with his watch,and did not wear one on the moons surface. I believe Aldrin's watch was lost or most probably stolen in transit somewhere after the mission.But lets remember this fact today, your average smart phone or home computer is several hundred times more powerful than the one used on the moon mission so a simple mechanical watch was most important.

[Crunchie]

Originally Posted by padi56

It has been said that Neil Armstrong,had a problem with his watch,and did not wear one on the moons surface. I believe Aldrin's watch was lost or most probably stolen in transit somewhere after the mission.

I think I've read that it was the opposite - the on board timekeeping gear was playing up, Armstrong left his Speedmaster on board because it was working properly.

If Aldrin's Speedmaster ever turns up and can be authenticated, it must be basically priceless. Ignoring the fact that it probably remains technically US Government property, I can't see Omega backing down at any price from buying it to display.

[toomuchtalk]

Originally Posted by padi56

Omega yes it too has a fine movement but then manual wind but only Buzz and Armstrong are the only people to say what the first watch on the moon was. IMO it was most likely a speedy with the Cal 321,there were other readings that a Waltham and a Rolex GMT were used as a back up.But everything I have read my only conclusion is that the Omega Speedmaster had the Cal 321 movement on the lunar landing based on the Lemania 27CHRO-C12 and the only true moon watch.

And its documented that Jack Swigert's wore a Rolex GMT-Master in the main lunar orbit ship, plus there was some kind of Bulova watch/clock somewhere in the spacecraft, but the claim that a Bulova time piece was on the Moon IMHO is little more than pure marketing by them. What I have read Aldrin's speedmaster was the first on the lunar surface, so its logical that he could have worn the same watch he had issued for the Gemini X11, IMO possibly a 1966 speedy when they first put professional on dial REF ST105012, perhaps the later 1968 ST 145.012 model was left in the ship as a back up timer for computer. But one of the most important things on board the Apollo lunar mission were the mechanical watches no matter what the brand.

Speedmaster's relationship with outer space,began when they went to Corrigans shop a Texas dealer in 1961.And the NASA buyer bought 5 different brands of chronographs and some failed the NASA test, the Omega Speedmaster was passed mainly IMHO because it was manual wind. NASA tested a number of other Speedmasters in the 1960s prior to Gemini Apollo flight. All these watches were before they changed to the Cal 861 movement, NASA bought another large quantity of Speedmasters in the later 60s,and in 1966 Omega added the word Professional to the speedy. It has been said that Neil Armstrong,had a problem with his watch,and did not wear one on the moons surface. I believe Aldrin's watch was lost or most probably stolen in transit somewhere after the mission.But lets remember this fact today, your average smart phone or home computer is several hundred times more powerful than the one used on the moon mission so a simple mechanical watch was most important.

Convenient that the Aldrin wathc was stolen- the first on the moon.

[INC]

Originally Posted by toomuchtalk

Convenient that the Aldrin wathc was stolen- the first on the moon.

The question arose: Is it safe to wear an Omega on the Moon?

[fskywalker]

Originally Posted by INC

The question arose: Is it safe to wear an Omega on the Moon?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[fivedime]

I could be mistaken, and I don’t have time to try to dig the source up right now (maybe some time over the long weekend?), but while the “common wisdom” for years was that NASA purchased the Speedies anonymously at a Houston dealer, it fairly recently came to light the actual watches tested by NASA were provided by Omega (and the other test articles’ makers). Hence, the requirements being issued in the request for articles to be considered (sent out to 14 makers?).

It is certainly true the earliest flown examples were privately purchased by their wearers, prior to NASA feeling the need to select an issued instrument. Quite possibly some, if not all, purchased at said Houston dealer.

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by fivedime

I could be mistaken, and I don’t have time to try to dig the source up right now (maybe some time over the long weekend?), but while the “common wisdom” for years was that NASA purchased the Speedies anonymously at a Houston dealer, it fairly recently came to light the actual watches tested by NASA were provided by Omega (and the other test articles’ makers). Hence, the requirements being issued in the request for articles to be considered (sent out to 14 makers?).

It is certainly true the earliest flown examples were privately purchased by their wearers, prior to NASA feeling the need to select an issued instrument. Quite possibly some, if not all, purchased at said Houston dealer.

Correct
Myths sbound in this life and it's encumbent upon us all to push back against their proliferation

[Eagles4133]

Rolex put NASA on a waitlist. Speedy passed all tests, Rolex, Bulova and many others failed quite a few of the rigorous tests they put the watches through.

[Crunchie]

Automatic movements were certainly around before 1969, but automatic chronograph movements?

[lord91]

Originally Posted by Crunchie

Automatic movements were certainly around before 1969, but automatic chronograph movements?

No. The first automatic chronograph movement was Heuer's Calibre 11, from 1969.

[Tritto]

Originally Posted by lord91

No. The first automatic chronograph movement was Heuer's Calibre 11, from 1969.

Heuer was the first to announce their automatic chronograph, but they weren't the first to bring it to market - that was Seiko.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk