Moonwatch: How Omega's Speedmaster Made It To The Moon
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In the world of mechanical watches, few names carry the weight of the Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch. From racetracks to lunar dust, its journey is one of design brilliance, engineering endurance, and cultural permanence.
But what makes the Moonwatch special isn’t just the fact that it went to the Moon. It’s how it got there, why it was chosen, and what its evolution says about the strange alchemy of form, function, and myth.
Introduced in 1957, the original Speedmaster (CK2915) was intended for motorsports—featuring “Broad Arrow” hands and the industry’s first tachymeter bezel. But in 1962, astronaut Wally Schirra privately wore one aboard Mercury-Atlas 8, setting the stage for its transformation. Two years later, When NASA began testing chronographs in 1964 for manned missions, the Speedmaster outperformed all rivals to become the official flight-qualified watch.
On July 21, 1969, Buzz Aldrin stepped onto the lunar surface with a Speedmaster strapped over his spacesuit. Aldrin’s Speedmaster, the first watch worn on the Moon wasn’t designed for lunar missions, yet it endured the impossible - helping to build one of the most compelling origin stories in horology.
In 1970, amid the crisis of Apollo 13, astronauts used their Speedmasters to time a critical 14-second engine burn to ensure safe re-entry; earning Omega NASA’s Silver Snoopy Award; an honour reserved for exceptional contributions to human spaceflight.
Early Speedmasters featured the Caliber 321, a column-wheel chronograph movement. In 1968, Omega introduced the Caliber 861, a more robust and production-efficient cam-actuated movement; followed by the 1861, and in 2021, the Co-Axial Master Chronometer Caliber 3861—featuring hacking seconds, anti-magnetic materials, and METAS certification.
Still, the Caliber 321 retained near-mythic status. In 2019, Omega brought it back using tomography scans of original NASA-issued watches.
Beyond its space voyage, the Moonwatch has remained embedded in pop culture—featured in films such as Apollo 13 and First Man, referenced in literature, and revived for mass audiences via the 2022 MoonSwatch collaboration.
The History Of The Omega Speedmaster
The History Of Omega
The Omega Speedmaster in Space
The First Journey to the Moon
In a world-changing moment, the first human beings walked onto the Moon at 02:56 GMT on 21 July 1969. An essential part of each astronaut's space kit was the OMEGA Speedmaster Professional.Qualified by NASA in 1965 as the only watch for all manned space missions and Extravehicular Activity (EVA), the Speedmaster made up an official part of each astronaut’s kit. After the Apollo 11 landing, the Speedmaster became forever known as “the Moonwatch”.
Omega Speedmaster Failure During Apollo 15
The Omega Speedmaster failed during Apollo 15 in 1971 when astronaut David Scott’s issued watch broke—its crystal popped off after the second EVA (extravehicular activity). To continue the mission, Scott used his personal backup: a Bulova chronograph.
How To Read The Omega Speedmaster
The Story of the Incredible Apollo 13 Mission
Famously known as a “successful failure”, the Apollo 13 mission will be remembered for averting disaster with bravery and ingenuity. Relive the story and see how OMEGA played its own critical part in bringing the astronauts home.
When NASA tested the Speedmaster
NASA engineer Jim Ragan describes the extreme testing in 1964 and the surprising results. In 1964, NASA began testing chronographs for use in manned space missions. The Speedmaster underwent rigorous trials, including extreme temperature, shock, vibration, and vacuum tests. It was the only watch to survive all conditions, leading to its official flight qualification in 1965 as NASA’s standard-issue spaceflight chronograph.
Evolution Of The Omega Speedmaster
The Silver Snoopy Award
On October 5, 1970, OMEGA received NASA’s Silver Snoopy Award for its crucial role in the safe return of Apollo 13 and its broader contributions to human spaceflight. The award—a silver lapel pin and certificate—is the highest honor given by NASA astronauts. Snoopy was chosen as the mascot for his light-hearted presence and symbolic role in mission success and vigilance. The award is now displayed at the OMEGA Museum in Switzerland.
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