ZoneTecnico
48
The Most Iconic Chronograph of All Time?
Mar 21, 2015,01:08 AM
Many may have forgotten about this fact but it was the first timepiece worn on the moon. And probably the very event that propelled it to horological stardom. Several brands, namely Breitling, Rolex, Hamilton, and Longines-Wittnauer, were also in the bid to be certified by NASA for space use. But all fell short. Since then, several other timepieces have been qualified for space flight. It is still the only one qualified by NASA for EVA (Extravehicular Activity: Activities outside the spacecraft in space).
Yes, I am talking about the Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch! And that right there is the Ref 145.012 circa 1967.
I am a really big fan of chronograph timepieces so the Speedmaster naturally appeals to me. Even to someone isn't a big fan of chronograph or Omega for that matter, the aesthetically pleasing design and features would get their nod of approval.
The Speedmaster has came a long way since the Gemini and Apollo program. And for BaselWorld 2015, Omega has brought Snoopy and Speedmaster together for the second time, the first was in 2003. So what does Snoopy got to do with the Omega Speedmaster?
Snoopy was so popular back in 1969, that the Apollo 10 crew named their lunar module, Snoopy, and their command module, Charlie Brown. Shortly after, NASA chose Snoopy as their mascot for their prestigious manned flight awareness award. A year later, Omega received the Snoopy award for its contribution in the Apollo 13 mission. The crew had to conserve energy after an oxygen tank exploded, leaving the Speedmaster as the only functioning timing device onboard. They used it to time ignite the rockets to shorten the flight path back to Earth; and to decrease speed and raise the flight path angle for re-entry into Earth (which if timed wrongly, results in dire consequences)
It has been 45 years since and to commemorate that eventful event (pun intended!), Omega unveiled the Speedmaster Moonwatch Apollo 13 Silver Snoopy Award. It will be produced in limited numbers, 1970 to be exact (which is coincidentally the year the mission took place). The dial isn't the only new feature of the timepiece. Omega has skillfully incorporated subtle details too.
This timepiece is available in 2 colour schemes: white dial with black indexes and grey dial with black indexes. The plots surrounding the black indexes are Super LumiNova. As are the tachymeter scale on the polished black ceramic (ZrO2) bezel and Snoopy. You may have realise the speech bubble right below "Omega Speedmaster Professional". That is Snoopy saying "Failure Is Not An Option", a clever tagline summarising Omega's contribution in the Apollo 13 mission.
14 seconds. That's the amount of time astronauts experience full thrust from the rockets to bring their module on its own orbit. This is reflected on the scale starting from 0 and answers the question Omega posed "What could you do in 14 seconds?"
The timepiece features a unique dedicated caseback. A silver Snoopy medallion, which looks pretty similar that on the pin Omega received in 1970, is mounted on a blue enamel coated silver plate. And the medallion is protected by a sapphire crystal. It features a black nylon fabric strap, different from the traditional bracelet or leather strap.
I personally would go for the grey one but in any case, this timepiece looks great in either colour. Its limited numbers reflects its exclusivity so why not consider this Speedmaster if you are looking for one?