The Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch. The name alone conjures images of lunar landings, daring astronauts, and a legacy of unparalleled precision and durability. More than just a watch, it's an icon, a testament to human ingenuity and a symbol of exploration. This article delves deep into the history, specifications, and enduring appeal of the Speedmaster, specifically focusing on its pioneering role as the "First Omega in Space" and examining various iterations, including the 2020 and 2021 models, alongside considerations of original size, original price, and current market value.
A Legacy Forged in Space:
The Speedmaster's journey to becoming a legend began long before Neil Armstrong took his "one small step" onto the lunar surface. Its robust design, initially conceived for everyday wear, quickly caught the eye of NASA. Rigorous testing proved its resilience against extreme temperatures, vibrations, and G-forces, ultimately leading to its selection as the official timepiece for all NASA manned space missions. This pivotal moment cemented the Speedmaster's place in history, forever linking it to humanity's greatest adventure beyond Earth. The watch's presence on the wrists of astronauts during the Apollo 11 mission solidified its iconic status, transforming it from a reliable chronograph into a cultural phenomenon.
The Speedmaster's Technical Prowess:
The heart of the Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch beats with a manual-winding chronograph movement. Modern iterations, like the "First Omega in Space" models, boast a Co-Axial escapement, a technology developed by Omega that significantly improves the watch's precision and longevity by reducing friction within the movement. This innovation, combined with its Master Chronometer certification by METAS (the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology), ensures exceptional accuracy and resistance to magnetic fields up to 15,000 gauss. This is a crucial feature in today's world, where powerful magnets are increasingly common in everyday electronics. The ability to withstand such high magnetic fields guarantees the watch's continued precise timekeeping, even in environments with strong magnetic interference.
The Speedmaster's robust construction extends beyond its movement. The case, typically crafted from stainless steel, offers exceptional protection for the delicate inner workings. The iconic tachymeter bezel, a defining feature of the Speedmaster, allows for speed and distance calculations, a functionality that proved invaluable in various applications, beyond its spacefaring role. The bezel's design, often featuring a black aluminum or ceramic insert with a white tachymeter scale, is both functional and aesthetically pleasing, contributing to the watch's timeless appeal.
Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Bezel:
The Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch bezel is more than just a decorative element; it's a crucial functional component. Its tachymeter scale enables the wearer to measure speed over a known distance. Different iterations of the Speedmaster feature variations in bezel materials, including aluminum, ceramic, and even sapphire crystal. The choice of material impacts durability, scratch resistance, and overall aesthetic. The bezel's design, including its markings and the method of operation (unidirectional rotation), has remained largely consistent throughout the Speedmaster's history, maintaining its distinctive character.
Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch 2021: