Why isn't the GMT also known as "The Moon watch"

[Ticknaway]

Actually I don’t even think it was the second watch worn to the moon, I believe that was a Bulova worn by David Scott on Apollo 15

[jrs146]

Very interesting.

My guess is rolex isn’t the brand to tout anything where they come in second.


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[Watchgeek5000]

Originally Posted by Ticknaway

Actually I don’t even think it was the second watch worn to the moon, I believe that was a Bulova worn by David Scott on Apollo 15

This artical is based on the Apollo 14 mission

[RichardF]

Don't forget Chuck Yeager broke the sound barrier wearing a Rolex. Omega may have had the contract with the government but the Rolex GMT was the chosen watch of many NASA Astronauts. The GMT was never allowed to be officially strapped on the outside of a suit but it proved its was more than capable of operating in space.

[Ruddiger]

Howdy,

As someone who was born on February 5th, 1971, I think it’s damn cool! Thanks for sharing it.

Take care,

Ruddiger

[karmatp]

NASA did test the Daytona and it failed their test. The Omega Speedmaster was the ONLY watch to pass all of the requirements.

[machob55]

Great story...

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[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by JohnLT

It’s all omega has. Let them have it. LOL.

And the first dive watch: http://www.vintagewatchstraps.com/blogomegamarine.php

[CRM114]

Originally Posted by tyler1980

i suppose. However, if it was necessary or potentially mission critical, i would assume NASA would have made that a requirement when selecting the official watch in the first place.

I own a GMT and not a speedmaster so i prefer the Rolex. I just don't think in this case the affiliation to the space program as part of the watch's heritage is warranted or earned.

Jake tries too hard to ignore, understate, and pretend not to understand the Speedmaster's place in the space program. In the process, he also repeats elsewhere the completely unsupported allegation of criminal activity; that some in NASA accepted bribes from Omega to have their watch selected instead of others. It's unabashed (and somewhat embarrassing) Rolex fanboy material.

That said, all the NASA astronauts of the era were military pilots, and the Rolex GMT Master was already favorite among pilots, military and civilian. Many astronauts wore GMT Masters during training and on missions as a personal effect, so there is indeed an organic, legitimate association between GMT Masters and the space program as an outgrowth of being the pilot's Rolex.

This association/heritage isn't negated just because NASA held a competition, selecting and issuing Speedmasters as official gear for EVAs both floating and moon-walking. Not being a chrono, (and as much as it drives Jake nuts) the GMT Master wasn't even in the running to be the "Moon Watch", but that doesn't mean GMT Masters didn't make the trips on the wrists of NASA's pilot-astronauts.

I have 5 GMT Masters and 2 Speedmasters and they both have a place in history. No, the Rolexes aren't the Moon Watch but they do have legitimate, reality-based link to the space program through the aviators involved every bit as much as Submariners do to Jacque Cousteau or Daytonas do to race car drivers.

I mean, people associate Submariners with James Bond, yet neither JB or his exploits are real. Utter fantasy, but people have blurred the line between that and reality until "JB" has become a sort of pseudo-heritage for the Sub. If that is the case, then certainly the actually-worn GMT Master can be associated with real exploits of real life astronauts involved in the very real space program, and be considered part of it's heritage.

[Watchgeek5000]

Originally Posted by CRM114

Jake tries too hard to ignore, understate, and pretend not to understand the Speedmaster's place in the space program. He also repeats elsewhere the completely unsupported allegation that some in NASA accepted bribes from Omega to have their watch selected instead of others. It's unabashed (and somewhat embarrassing) Rolex fanboy material.

That said, all the NASA astronauts of the era were military pilots, and the Rolex GMT Master was already favorite among pilots, military and civilian. Many astronauts wore GMT Masters during training and on missions as a personal effect, so there is indeed an organic, legitimate association between GMT Masters and the space program as an outgrowth of being the pilot's Rolex.

This association/heritage isn't negated just because NASA held a competition, selecting and issuing Speedmasters as official gear for EVAs both floating and moon-walking. Not being a chrono, (and as much as it drives Jake nuts) the GMT Master wasn't even in the running to be the "Moon Watch", but that doesn't mean GMT Masters didn't make the trips on the wrists of NASA's pilot-astronauts.

I have 5 GMT Masters and 2 Speedmasters and they both have a place in history. No, the Rolex's aren't the Moon Watch but they do have legitimate, reality-based link to the space program through the aviators involved every bit as much as Submariners do to Jacque Cousteau or Daytonas do to race car drivers.

I mean, people associate Submariners with James Bond, yet neither JB or his exploits are real. Utter fantasy, but people have blurred the line between that and reality until "JB" has become a sort of pseudo-heritage for the Sub. If that is the case, then certainly the really-worn GMT Master can be associated with real exploits of real astronauts involved in the real space program and considered part of it's heritage.

That was very well put!

[traf]

Originally Posted by karmatp

NASA did test the Daytona and it failed their test. The Omega Speedmaster was the ONLY watch to pass all of the requirements.

This first part is actually untrue... Rolex did send a chronograph, however it was NOT a Daytona. It is not clear which reference was sent in response to NASA’s RFP, however it is speculated to be the Pre-Daytona jean Claude Killy.



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[MCO1]

Originally Posted by CRM114

Jake tries too hard to ignore, understate, and pretend not to understand the Speedmaster's place in the space program. In the process, he also repeats elsewhere the completely unsupported allegation of criminal activity; that some in NASA accepted bribes from Omega to have their watch selected instead of others. It's unabashed (and somewhat embarrassing) Rolex fanboy material.

That said, all the NASA astronauts of the era were military pilots, and the Rolex GMT Master was already favorite among pilots, military and civilian. Many astronauts wore GMT Masters during training and on missions as a personal effect, so there is indeed an organic, legitimate association between GMT Masters and the space program as an outgrowth of being the pilot's Rolex.

This association/heritage isn't negated just because NASA held a competition, selecting and issuing Speedmasters as official gear for EVAs both floating and moon-walking. Not being a chrono, (and as much as it drives Jake nuts) the GMT Master wasn't even in the running to be the "Moon Watch", but that doesn't mean GMT Masters didn't make the trips on the wrists of NASA's pilot-astronauts.

I have 5 GMT Masters and 2 Speedmasters and they both have a place in history. No, the Rolex's aren't the Moon Watch but they do have legitimate, reality-based link to the space program through the aviators involved every bit as much as Submariners do to Jacque Cousteau or Daytonas do to race car drivers.

I mean, people associate Submariners with James Bond, yet neither JB or his exploits are real. Utter fantasy, but people have blurred the line between that and reality until "JB" has become a sort of pseudo-heritage for the Sub. If that is the case, then certainly the actually-worn GMT Master can be associated with real exploits of real life astronauts involved in the very real space program, and be considered part of it's heritage.

Agreed....very well put!

[uansari1]

Why the incessant need for everything Rolex does to be considered the pinnacle?

[Fitz The Barber]

Going to the moon...

[Sugarloaf]

Take a look (a very short but nice VDO) :

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ME2TXvIKi8Q

rolex gmt master pepsi 1675 : the non official moonwatch

Edgar mitchell (apollo 14) wearing his own rolex gmt master pepsi 1675 moonwatch

[Wcdhtwn]

I wonder how much NASA choosing the Speedmaster came down to cost. The government likes a good deal and expects to get the lowest price. I don't know the price of the two back in the 60's when the decision was made, but maybe Rolex didn't want to offer a discount and Omega was willing to.

And I remember reading that NASA wanted a manual watch, as there is no gravity in space an automatic won't work. Sure they could have kept winding their watches, but if you're not used to doing that on earth you might forget on your way to the moon. I don't remember where I read that but I'm pretty sure I'm not making it up. I might have been told that at the Omega Boutique...

[lhawli]

Originally Posted by Watchgeek5000

In 1971 the entire NASA team wore Pepsi GMT's on their mission to the moon.

This seems to be an important moment in Rolex history, doesn't seem to get mentioned much.



http://www.rolexmagazine.com/2008/06...story.html?m=1

First off, because that name was already given to the Speedy who came in first as the first watch to space and then first watch on the moon.

Secondly, the GMT is NOT a standard NASA gear for manned space missions, that title goes to the Speedy as it passed all tests. Not other watch did! So the fact that it went to the moon is actually cool, but so many other brands did also, doesn’t make it the moon watch, as it was a personal choice and not an official designation.

Thirdly, the GMT was an answer to PanAm as a pilot gear for dual / triple time zones. Not sure the Moonwatch would have been a good marketing strategy at this point.

Lastly, is was not a Chronograph with speed bezel, which helped assist reentry into earth atmosphere in one of the missions. And of course it was not a manual wind. Surely an automatic can work in space, but not as effective winding as on earth - given you can manually wind it.

Cool story tho, not as cool as the Speedy I’m afraid.

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[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by Wcdhtwn

I wonder how much NASA choosing the Speedmaster came down to cost. The government likes a good deal and expects to get the lowest price. I don't know the price of the two back in the 60's when the decision was made, but maybe Rolex didn't want to offer a discount and Omega was willing to.

And I remember reading that NASA wanted a manual watch, as there is no gravity in space an automatic won't work. Sure they could have kept winding their watches, but if you're not used to doing that on earth you might forget on your way to the moon. I don't remember where I read that but I'm pretty sure I'm not making it up. I might have been told that at the Omega Boutique...

the cost of watches of course was the largest expenditure on going to the moon

Rolex failed the test, end of story

[meganfox17]

Originally Posted by Wcdhtwn

I wonder how much NASA choosing the Speedmaster came down to cost. The government likes a good deal and expects to get the lowest price. I don't know the price of the two back in the 60's when the decision was made, but maybe Rolex didn't want to offer a discount and Omega was willing to.

And I remember reading that NASA wanted a manual watch, as there is no gravity in space an automatic won't work. Sure they could have kept winding their watches, but if you're not used to doing that on earth you might forget on your way to the moon. I don't remember where I read that but I'm pretty sure I'm not making it up. I might have been told that at the Omega Boutique...

I'm sorry Sir but I have to completely disagree with your reasonings, assumptions and presumptions.You have to spend time on the Omega forum to get the facts straight from the people and engineers who use to work for NASA back in the 60s and 70s. There was ABSOLUTELY NO COMPROMISE NO COST SAVING MEASURES by NASA in the entire space programme period in the Sixties.

✓ The Moonwatch passed all the tests with flying colours. Pure and Simple
✓ The Moonwatch is still the only watch certified and approved by NASA for EVA ( Extra Vehicular Activity).The photo of Ed White wearing the Moonwatch during the his space walk outside Gemini IV says it all. Period. No cost cutting bullshit here !
✓ It was assassinated President John Fitzgerald Kennedy's promise to put a man on the moon before the decade was over.
The US space expenditure in 1962 was 5.4 billion US dollars, a staggering amount which translated to 50 cents a week for every man, woman and child in America at that time.
✓ The Great Space Race between the Americans and the Soviet Union during the height of the Cold War. NASA had to get their watches right. I'm sorry to disappoint you but the primitive humble Lemania based mechanical hand winding chronograph beat all the odds and the other automatic watches to become the Moonwatch
✓Budget cuts and cost saving measures came much later after the Apollo XVII mission in 1972 due to public and political pressure towards the end of the Vietnam war and after the Americans had won the race to put the first man on the moon !

[mahefa]

I did not know this fact, nice! It certainly gives more thoughts about my BLNR. Also nice to see numerous emotions this debate creates. It tells that watch is really important part in life of a man.

[Tony64]

Originally Posted by Wcdhtwn

I wonder how much NASA choosing the Speedmaster came down to cost. The government likes a good deal and expects to get the lowest price. I don't know the price of the two back in the 60's when the decision was made, but maybe Rolex didn't want to offer a discount and Omega was willing to...

The waitlist for the stainless Daytona was already several years long, and NASA hadn't established a sufficient purchase history with their AD.

They were offered two-tone or all gold versions but the added weight was prohibitive.

True story...... or not.

[amh]

Originally Posted by Tony64

The waitlist for the stainless Daytona was already several years long, and NASA hadn't established a sufficient purchase history with their AD.

They were offered two-tone or all gold versions but the added weight was prohibitive.

True story...... or not.

/Thread

As for Jake, he has Panerai World and Patek World as well. I'll bet he generates decent traffic on all his websites, so it's more about attracting clicks than about facts.

[DLRIDES]

Originally Posted by Tony64

The waitlist for the stainless Daytona was already several years long, and NASA hadn't established a sufficient purchase history with their AD.

They were offered two-tone or all gold versions but the added weight was prohibitive.

True story...... or not.

[mahefa]

Originally Posted by Tony64

The waitlist for the stainless Daytona was already several years long, and NASA hadn't established a sufficient purchase history with their AD.

They were offered two-tone or all gold versions but the added weight was prohibitive.

True story...... or not.

Omega AD said to NASA that Speedmaster will be discontinued and price increase is coming too

[Watchgeek5000]

Originally Posted by Tony64

The waitlist for the stainless Daytona was already several years long, and NASA hadn't established a sufficient purchase history with their AD.

They were offered two-tone or all gold versions but the added weight was prohibitive.

True story...... or not.

[Muzz]

Because it is auto so that pretty much killed the deal there.

[Andrés G]

Originally Posted by Wcdhtwn

I wonder how much NASA choosing the Speedmaster came down to cost. The government likes a good deal and expects to get the lowest price. I don't know the price of the two back in the 60's when the decision was made, but maybe Rolex didn't want to offer a discount and Omega was willing to.

Wow! I hope you’re joking.

[Watchgeek5000]

Originally Posted by Muzz

Because it is auto so that pretty much killed the deal there.

True an automatic watch will not properly wind with the absence of gravity, but an automatic watch can be manually wound as well. As stated before, I do not think the GMT should have replaced the Omega, just shared the artical as a matter of interest.

[iliketime]

this must come up every so often and I always enjoy learning new things

[Corsair66]

Originally Posted by meganfox17

✓ The Moonwatch is still the only watch certified and approved by NASA for EVA ( Extra Vehicular Activity).The photo of Ed White wearing the Moonwatch during the his space walk outside Gemini IV says it all. Period. No cost cutting bullshit here !

True as far as NASA EVA certification, though not with respect to the particular photo referenced. That image is of Buzz Aldrin during Gemini XII, not Ed White during Gemini IV.