2019 is the 50th anniversary of Omega Speedmaster becoming Moonwatch. For more than half a century, Omega Speedmaster watches have always been designated equipment for astronauts and space agencies in many countries. In fact, the Speedmaster has participated in many great space exploration activities of mankind, and since it accompanied an astronaut to become the first watch to go to the moon in July 1969, the Speedmaster has become a world-renowned chronograph. Not long ago, the new Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch, equipped with the 3861 Master Chronometer movement, also let us once again set our sights on the replica Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch.
1969 marked one the most famous days in American history as Apollo 11 safely landed on the moon. A mere six hours after landing, commander Neil Armstrong and pilot Buzz Aldrin took the very first human steps on the Moon’s lunar surface. While wearing a NASA issued Speedmaster, Armstrong spent several hours collecting rock samples before returning to the spacecraft to make the long journey home. Armstrong and Aldrin used the Speedmaster’s chronograph to time oxygen and fuel burn during their mission, which was critical in returning safely to Earth.
The Speedmaster earned the nickname “Moonwatch” after Apollo 11 and the following six lunar landings by American astronauts. Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch replica gained worldwide recognition and was even worn during the Apollo and Soyuz docking by both American and Soviet Union astronauts. In fact, the Omega Speedmaster Chronograph has been the only piece of equipment used in all of NASA’s space exploration from Gemini to the International Space Station program.
Replica Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch has been the choice of astronauts and space agencies for more than half a century. Today, the timepiece is powered by the same hand-wound movement that powered the timepieces NASA’s astronauts wore in the 1960’s. With its black dial and distinct tachymeter scale around the bezel (a scale used to compute a speed based on travel time), the Omega Speedmaster Chronograph was designed for function and beauty. The 42mm stainless steel case houses indexes and white center hour and minute hands that have been coated in Super LumiNova (allowing for legibility in the dark). The dial showcases a 30-minute recorder, a 12-hour recorder and a small seconds sub-dial. The watch is completed with hesalite crystal and matching stainless steel bracelet or black leather strap.