The Omega Speedmaster Professional. The name alone conjures images of lunar dust, giant leaps for mankind, and a legacy etched in the annals of space exploration. But the story of how this iconic chronograph became the "Moonwatch" is far richer and more nuanced than most realize. It’s a tale of rigorous testing, serendipitous selection, and enduring popularity that continues to captivate watch enthusiasts to this day. This article delves deep into the history of the Omega Speedmaster, exploring its journey from its original design to its present-day status as a coveted collector's item, touching upon aspects such as its original price, bezel design, case size, its pivotal role in the Apollo 11 mission, and current market values.
The Speedmaster's Genesis: Before the Moon
Before becoming synonymous with the Apollo missions, the Omega Speedmaster was a robust chronograph designed for everyday use, albeit a rather sophisticated one for its time. Launched in 1957, the Speedmaster was part of Omega's broader collection of chronographs, aimed at a market increasingly interested in precise timekeeping for sports and other activities. Its early iterations boasted a tachymeter scale on the bezel, a feature that would prove unexpectedly crucial in its later spacefaring career. The exact original price of the early Speedmasters varied depending on the specific model and year of production, but generally fell within a range reflecting its position as a high-quality, but not exorbitantly priced, chronograph of the era. Today, finding an original Speedmaster in pristine condition commands astronomical prices in the collector's market.
The Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch bezel itself deserves special attention. The tachymeter scale, etched onto the aluminum bezel of the early models, provided a means of calculating speed over a known distance. While seemingly a simple feature, its durability and legibility proved vital for the astronauts, allowing them to quickly and accurately assess critical information during spacewalks and other activities. The bezel's design, with its clear markings and robust construction, stood up to the harsh conditions of space travel, a testament to Omega's engineering prowess.
The Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch original size also played a role in its selection for space. While not overly large by today's standards, the early Speedmasters were substantial enough to be easily manipulated while wearing bulky space suits. The case size, a relatively compact design for its time, offered a balance between legibility and wearability, crucial factors for the astronauts who needed to access the chronograph functions quickly and efficiently in the confines of their space suits.
NASA's Qualification and the Apollo 11 Mission
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