Omega

Little visit at the Omega "Speedmaster" exposition in Paris

Hi everyone,

For the 45th anniversary of the Apollo 13 mission in 1970, the Parisian Omega boutique of the Rue Saint-Honoré in Paris is presenting, from May 8th to May 30th, 13 vintage Speedmasters from 1957 to today.

Beside a 1:1 Astronaut suit, the watches are exposed with a summary of their evolution.

1. The first Speedmaster in 1957, with its "broad arrow" hand and a steal tachymeter scale (not black yet), designed for automobile pilots with the famous 321 caliber. It was launched with the first Seamaster 300 and the Railmaster first model.

All steal scale (no black path) - Credit: Mark In Paris for PuristSPro

New black scale for better legibility - Credit: Mark In Paris for PuristSPro

2. In 1959, a new model with new "Alpha" hands (steal and Luminova) and Aluminum bezel with the black tachymeter scale. It was the model used in 1962 by some of the Mercury program (first Omega watch in space).

3. In 1964, the Speedmaster was part of a selection test with other brands to be used for space traval missions. The hands were now painted in white for a better legibility. In 1965, it was the watch used during the first American extra-vehicular mission.

Credit: Mark In Paris for PuristSPro

Credit: Mark In Paris for PuristSPro

4. The new case was designed to protect the pushers and the crown, introduced in 1964 on the market. At that time, none of the brands which delivered several watches to NASA knew they were actually tested for further programs. It is the last model housing the 321 caliber.

This bracelet was used because it was "fragile": if it was stuck somewhere it is was made to break. -
Credit: Mark In Paris for PuristSPro

5. In 1968, the new 861 caliber replaces the 321 in the Speedmaster. Same movement we have today in the Moonwatch reference.

6. To celebrate the success of the Apollo 11 mission, a 28 pieces limited edition was produced in 1969 in yellow gold and given to the NASA's astronauts. The back was engraved with "To mark man's conquest of space with time, through time, on time".

Later, 1014 other pieces were produced and sold till 1972.

7. Time for the Racing "tonneau" shaped Mark II Speedmaster in 1969!

The "Pilot Line" case is quite something we can't forget. When the "Alaska" project was initiated, Omega worked on a new case which had to be strong enough to resist extravehicular experience. Thus, the protection for the crown and pushers but also for the strap stems (protecting lugs).

The case was used for the Mark XX and the Flightmaster lines.

(didn't take a picture so I post this one for you to see how it looks like)

Credit: Spillyj on PuristSPro

8. In 1973, launch of the Speedmaster 125 for the 125th anniversary of Omega (2000 limited edition). This reference was the first housing the 1041 movement "Chronometer" certified. It was to be produced for NASA in Titanium but much too expensive in the end.

9. At the beginning of the end of the cold war, in 1975, the Apollo-Soyouz mission was organized by the USA and the USSR (limited edition).

(didn't take a picture so I post this one for you to see how it looks like)

Crédit: MStanga on PuristSPro

10. In 1978, Omega has presented to the NASA a new electronic watch with Tritium tubes for legibility. But the Speedmaster Professional was finally chosen for the new missions.

11. Launch of the first 866 caliber with moonphase indication.

Credit: Mark In Paris for PuristSPro

12. The caliber 863 appears with its see-through caseback

Credit: Mark In Paris for PuristSPro

13. Named after a new NASA secret program, the X-33 housed a selection of useful functions for astronauts. It was launched in 1998 and used from then in the ISS and MIR stations.

Credit: Mark In Paris for PuristSPro

Thanks to the local team for the very warm welcome and the interesting visit. The pictures were difficult to take but the little exhibition was nice seeing. If you're in Paris near the Place Vendôme, make the visit!
Cheers, Mark

This message has been edited by Mark in Paris on 2015-05-20 07:48:09