Omega has a long history of watchmaking since the mid 1800’s when Louis Brandt founded La General Watch Company in 1848. The Omega name became intrinsically linked to the company in 1903 when the company was branded as Louis Brandt et Frere-Omega Watch and Co. Finally in 1982, “Omega SA” became the official name of the brand going forward.
The many discoveries Omega has made in its storied history places it as one of the perennial watchmakers in horological history. It made the first minute-repeater for the wristwatch in 1892 which chimed hours and minutes on demand. In 1894, they developed the first Omega which combined the winding and time setting from a groundbreaking stem and crown combination. In 1931 it developed the 2-way winding movement using two weights for automatic timepieces. It developed one of the first tourbillon wristwatches in 1947 and the first Lady’s timepiece in 1955.
Omega has been at the forefront of precision and accuracy in the industry and most recently enhanced that history with the development of the 2014 Master Co-Axial timepiece.
The Omega Speedmaster Chronograph
In 1957, Omega launched the Omega Speedmaster Chronograph, a watch with a classic design and a reputation for high precision and reliability. It joined Omega’s other tool watches also released the same year – the Seamaster 300 and Railmaster.
The Speedmaster became known as the “Moonwatch” since it was the first watch to be used on the moon by Neil Armstrong during the Apollo XI landing in 1969, and it accompanied astronaut Walter Schirra in his 1962 mission.
However, the timepiece wasn’t meant to be a “lunar” timepiece. It was meant to be a racing chronograph. Yet, since the timepiece is a manual wind timepiece, it would not lose any function in the low gravity of outer space. Automatic watches require gravity to wind the watch. Quartz watches didn’t hit the market until 1969.
In order to be selected as the official Moonwatch, NASA tested the timepieces rigorously. They had to prove timekeeping accuracy, and high and low pressure tests in a pure oxygen atmosphere. They also had to be legible in low light conditions, shockproof and anti-magnetic. Rolex, Longines Wittnauer, and Hamilton all supplied timepieces for consideration but failed the tests, leaving the Omega Speedmaster the clear winner.
The Speedmaster played a key role in helping the Apollo 13 astronauts journey home after the spaceship’s oxygen tank ruptured and caused nearly catastrophic damage.
Nowadays, the Omega Speedmaster collection is comprised of a few different versions. One member of the Speedmaster family is the Moonwatch Omega Co-Axial Chronograph.
This 44.25mm case has a self winding movement and a special “Co-Axial” mechanism for an enhanced precision and stability.
The Moonwatch is available in 5 different collections.
- Main Collection of the Dark Side of the Moon
- Grey Side of the Moon
- White Side of the Moon
- Apollo 8
- Team Alinghi
The base model of the Speedmaster goes for approx 12,000 but could rise to as much as $25,200 if it has additional features such as diamonds around the bezel. The Apollo 8 model is listed at only $9,750 and it features a dial with a stunning black moon surface look created with laser ablation.
The Chronometer has a tachymeter scale around the bezel with notations up to 500 mph/kph. The two pushers at 2 and 4 o’clock control the 3 dials at 3, 6 and 9 o’clock. The hour markers and hour, minute and seconds hands are all highly luminescent in dark conditions, both on earth and in outer space.
Rubber B has an extensive lineup of watchbands for the Omega timepiece. It is easy to attach a new Rubber B band using a watchband spring tool. Rubber B offers this as an add-on on its B2 site where Omega owners can custom design the watch band of their dreams. Pictured above is a gorgeous black and grey swirl band which is made from 100% rubber.
The B2 site allows owners the ability to select various colors, stitches, textures, clasp options, and even custom engraving. However, the most creative watch owners can also upload their own designs right into the configurator tool.
Rubber B also offers real Kevlar and Swim Skin options for any timepiece including Omega Speedmaster made from pure 100% vulcanized rubber, while still having the feel of leather or fabric. For purists of real leather products, the Structure Series offers brown and black alligator leather on top of a rubber back side producing a watch band that has both style and strength.
