The Omega Speedmaster
The Omega Speedmaster is perhaps one of the most iconic watches ever. This is not only due to the design of the Speedmaster and the solid and accurate timepieces used in an Omega Speedmaster, but also due to the unique and rich history of the Omega Speedmaster.
The Speedmaster was introduced in 1957 by Omega. The idea behind the Speedmaster was to design a watch for racers. It had to become a watch that is resistant to vibrations and bumps and yet remained accurate. The Speedmaster was also the first chronograph in the world with a tachometer meter on the bezel. This made it possible to read the speed.
In 1962, the NASA space program is in full swing and the Mercury MA-7 goes into space. One of the crew members is Walter Schirra who carries his own Omega Speedmaster from 1959. During a space trip, both the astronaut and his watch are confronted with extreme conditions, such as high temperatures, vibrations, pressure differences, acceleration and G-forces. Both Walter Schirra and his Omega Speedmaster return unscathed.
NASA then decides to investigate which chronographs are even more suitable to wear during space travel. Watches from different brands are purchased. The watches are tested and have to deal with extreme conditions, such as extremely high and extremely low temperatures, shocks, difference in pressure and acceleration. Ultimately, one watch appears to have passed all tests and that was the Omega Speedmaster.
In 1965, NASA turned the Speedmaster into their official watch without Omega knowing it. Untill they saw a photo of the astronaut Ed White with a Speedmaster on his wrist do they realize that their watch has been in space.
Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins and Buzz Aldrin, the crew of the Apollo 11, write history in 1969 through their journey to the moon with an Omega Speedmaster on their wrist. The Omega Speedmaster thus became the first watch on the moon.
A watch that remains accurate and does not fall apart under such extreme conditions is a very solid watch. Because of the quality, design and beautiful history, the Omega Speedmaster is an icon in our industry.
