Omega Unveils 60-Year Anniversary Models For 3 Iconic Watches

The year, 1957, was a very productive one for Omega. The Swiss watch brand released three watches—the Seamaster 300, Railmaster and Speedmaster—all became an instant hit and a classic within their product categories.

This year, Omega is celebrating the 60th anniversary for each watch by presenting a limited edition of each model and a special “trilogy” edition.

Omega employed digital scanning technology to create accurate representations of the original watches—including cross-sections and dimensions. This, along with drawings of the original models, served as design templates for the new watches, which were slightly revised but remain true to the 1957 models.

All three watches are cased in brushed and polished stainless steel and feature black “tropical” dials. The stainless steel bracelets feature a retro-style Omega logo on the clasp. All of the logos on the watches are in a different style—a reference to how individual suppliers in the 1950s interpreted the Omega logo.

Each watch is limited to 3,557 pieces and delivered inside a presentation box inspired by the original 1957 packaging, including the Seahorse on the lid, a retro logo and red corduroy lining—with two spare straps; leather and NATO; and a tool to change them.

The Seamaster 300 60th Anniversary Limited Edition Master Chronometer 39mm
The very first Seamaster 300 was sought after for its water-resistance, black dial, broad arrow hour hand, bi-directional diving bezel, and recessed triangular hour markers. The 2017 model, based on the CK2913, features a black aluminum bezel and retains the original Naïad sign on the crown, which back in 1957 was a mark of the watch’s water resistance. The Seahorse on the caseback also refers to the original in 1957. It is powered by the Omega Master Chronometer caliber 8806 and comes with a four-year warranty.

The Railmaster 60th Anniversary Limited Edition Master Chronometer 38mm
The double-case anti-magnetic watch was designed for scientists, technicians or anyone who worked close to electrical fields. The original’s unpretentious style has been carried over into the 2017 model, though the vintage indexes are slightly deepened to allow a stronger light from the Super-LumiNova filling. The watch is powered by the Omega Master Chronometer caliber 8806, which can resist magnetic fields of up to 15,000 gauss and comes with a four-year warranty.

The Speedmaster 60th Anniversary Limited Edition 38.6mm
The original Speedmaster, called the “Broad Arrow,” due to its distinctive hands, was not only the first Speedmaster, it was also the first chronograph wristwatch with a tachymeter scale on the bezel as opposed to printed on the dial—a feature designed for race car drivers. On the new model, the font was redrawn to match the scale of the original 1957 tachymeter. It is powered by the Omega 1861 caliber.

The Trilogy presentation box
Omega has created a 557-piece limited edition package and engravings for those who purchase all three 60th anniversary models. The outer-box, made of Swiss oak wood, is engraved with the 1957 Seahorse on the lid and a front-plate engraved with “Trilogy 60th Anniversary, 001/557.”

Inside is a smaller box, inspired by the 1957 version, which contains all three watches. Each dial is printed with “TRILOGY” and the Limited Edition number; and each caseback is engraved with "LIMITED TO 557 TIMEPIECES.”

The larger box also includes a leather watch roll with three spare leather and NATO straps; and a wooden spring bar changing tool.

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Eddie Redmayne Is The Face Of The Omega Globemaster

Omega Globmaster brand ambassador Eddie Redmayne

British actor Eddie Redmayne is known for taking on challenging roles. His latest challenge will be the role as the newest ambassador of the Omega watch brand. He was officially introduced as the face of the Omega Globemaster at Mack Sennett Studios in Los Angeles Tuesday with a Hollywood style gala.

The watch collection, which houses the brand’s most advanced mechanical movement and features a design inspired by early Constellation models, was unveiled more than a year ago and Redmayne’s selection of being its international spokesperson not long after. But it wasn’t till now that both the Globemaster and its new representative were ready for full global exposure. The brand also debuted an online adverting campaign with Redmayne.

President and CEO of Omega Stephen Urquhart with Redmayne attend the launch of the Globemaster, the worlds first master chronometer, at Mack Sennett Studios on March 1 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for Omega)”

Redmayne received a 2015 Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Stephen Hawking in the film, “The Theory of Everything,” and was nominated for a second Oscar in 2016 for “The Danish Girl.”

He said on stage that the Globemaster’s design has both a classic and modern appeal. “I can kind of wear it with anything,” he said. “I don't like watches to be overstated or ostentatious or crying out too much, but you want to feel a weight to them and a history to them. For me, in a subtle way, it makes you feel stronger having a decent watch on.”

The launch of the Globemaster at Mack Sennett Studios on March 1 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for Omega)”

He added that he finds red carpets the most challenging environment when trying to decide what to wear. 

“It's just a very odd thing to have to stand in front of banks of people screaming at you and telling you to look in their direction and quite often shouting abuse,” he said. “So for me, a good tailored suit and a strong watch give you a sense that you have armor or a uniform.”

Omega brand ambassador Eddie Redmayne, with his wife, Hannah Bagshawe

Earlier in the day, Stephen Urquhart, Omega president, said the 34-year-old actor fits the positioning of the Globemaster well because of his youth, his reputation for taking on challenging roles and his unique sense of style. The timepiece is being sold as a traditional watch for a younger audience and Redmayne, who is the first Oscar winner born in the 1980s, fits this demographic. 

“This watch is so important for the future of the brand that we wanted to find someone who could really try to combine the incredible legacy with a modern style,” he said. “I think at Omega we’re trying to definitely attract a younger generation.”

Jean-Claude Monachon, Omega vice president of Product Development and Customer Service demonstrates the Omega Globemaster watch for Omega brand ambassador Eddie Redmayne at Mack Sennett Studios on March 1, 2016 in Los Angeles.

Urquhart describes Redmayne, known for embracing fine tailoring and well made shoes, as a “bit cutting edge” in his style. “He’s not the classic so called good looking guy.”

He describes the Globemaster as a contemporary watch that speaks to the history of Omega. It is part of Omega’s iconic Constellation series of watches and was styled after two Constellation watches in the 1950s, which at the time were called “Globemaster,” because the Constellation name was under trademark in the U.S., which expired in the early 1960s. 

Omega used the occasion to introduce its first update of the Globemaster , a 41mm version with an annual calendar. Each month is positioned between the blued indexes. The months are indicated by a varnished blue hand.

Jean-Claude Monachon, Omega vice president of Product Development and Customer Service, says the Globemaster takes its style cues from two Globemaster/Constellation watches at that time, in particular, its “pie-pan” dial style, fluted bezel, “double-C” case construction.

The Globemaster’s sapphire 39mm caseback is stamped with a medallion that has an image of an observatory, representing the precision awards that the watchmaker received during the famous chronometer observatory trials. Eight stars in the sky above the observatory symbolizes the watch brand’s most important precision records throughout its history. It also signifies the eight METAS-certified criteria that a timepiece and its movement must undergo in order to receive its Master Chronometer status. It’s the only watch in the world that has met these criteria, which measures the following:

Omega Globemaster in the watch Sedna gold, the watch brand's own patented rose gold alloy

* Average daily precision of the watch when tested in six positions, two alternating temperatures and then exposed to magnetism of 15,000 gauss.

* Function of COSC-approved movement during exposure of 15,000 gauss magnetic field, the equivalent of what an MRI machine produces. “Doctors can now wear their watch at work,” Monachon said.

* Function of the entire watch during exposure of 15,000 gauss. 

* Deviation of daily time precision after exposure to 15,000 gauss

* Water resistance testing 

* Power reserve deviation testing

* Power reserve deviation testing between 100% and 33% with the watch in six positions

* Deviation of running time when tested in six positions

The Globemaster’s sapphire 39mm caseback showing the medallion stamped with an image of an observatory and eight stars in the sky above.

Urquhart says the METAS-certified criteria extend the life of the watch. 

“Everything has a short lifespan,” he said. “The dream is to have a mechanical watch on your wrist that is not eternal but has the longest lifespan as possible. I think the Globemaster does this with all we put into it style-wise and also with the mechanics and technology.”

He continues to examine ways of extending a watch’s life even further—including creating mechanicals movements that don’t need oil. The lubricant damages a watch over time.

“You have this on your wrist and it would age, but in such a fantastic way that it won’t deteriorate. That’s a good way to dream.” 

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Daniel Craig’s Omega Seamaster Bond Watch Fetches $130,000

By Gretchen Friedrich, Jewelry News Network’s social media manager (a.k.a. Miss Moneypenny)

An Omega Seamaster 300, Bond Edition timepiece worn by Daniel Craig in the film, Spectre, sold for £92,500 ($131,813), shattering its high estimate of $28,000.

The watch was part of a special charity auction of 24 pieces of memorabilia from the 24th installment of the James Bond series at Christie's King Street, London. Ten lots sold at the auction raising more than 2 million British pounds ($2.87 million) for Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières).

The Omega Seamaster 300, Bond Edition is the first limited edition Bond model produced by Omega. There were 7,007 released to the general market at a price of $7,500. Omega, the official watch of James Bond for 50 years, remastered this version with an ode to the original timepiece worn by Sean Connery during his stint as the famous spy. 

Omega Seamaster 300, Bond Edition timepiece worn by Daniel Craig

The NATO strap, the "lollipop" second hand, the presentation box that resembles a lockbox and the casing are all reminiscent of those seen in the early Bond movies. 

Selling the watch at such a price is certainly a coup for Christie's, but what does it mean for the watch market in general? 

Brian Walker, VP of marketing for Shreve, Crump and Low, who carries the Omega line in their flagship store in Boston, says it’s a positive signal for collectors. 

“Generally, when a watch at auction realizes an extraordinary hammer price such as the six-figure number for the Seamaster Bond piece, it excites the demand and increases resale value for the piece on the secondary market, especially on a limited-edition model.”

In other words, there could be some “shaken, not stirred” activity on Omega Bond watches currently in circulation. Cheers

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Daniel Craig’s James Bond Omega Seamaster Up For Auction

The Omega Seamaster 300 Bond Edition. The same watch worn by Daniel Craig in the Bond movie, Spectre will be sold at Christie's

By Gretchen Friedrich, Jewelry News Network’s social media manager 

Christie’s London is celebrating the release of the movie, Spectre, the latest installment in the James Bond series, on DVD and Blu-Ray by doing what it does best, holding an auction. Proceeds from the February 18 sale will benefit several charitable organizations. 

Items from the Spectre auction at Christie's London King Street location include an Omega Seamaster 300 Bond Edition, one of eight watches worn by James Bond himself, Daniel Craig, throughout the film. 

The Omega Seamaster 300 Bond Edition in case, photographed at Shreve, Crump & Low

Owning this Seamaster 300 is extraordinary for several reasons. In addition to gracing the wrist of an international movie star, the Seamaster 300 is an exceptional timepiece, even without the Hollywood provenance. 

Omega produced only 7,007 Seamaster 300s, the first Bond watch with a limited production. “This piece is completely sold out worldwide, making it more difficult to obtain,” said Brian Walker, marketing VP for Shreve, Crump & Low. 

The Boston jeweler is one of a select group of exclusive boutiques to carry the Omega watch line. 

Walker adds that the second hand on the dial is a retrospective of the 1950s Seamaster design, one that resembles a lollipop. Other retro features are the NATO strap and the casing, which are similar to the watch worn by the original James Bond, Sean Connery. The strap holder on the bracelet reinforces the spy theme with a "007" engraving. 

The box for the Omega Seamaster 300 Bond Edition, photographed at Shreve, Crump & Low

The classic features house modern technological mechanisms, with a Co-Axial escapement that increases precision and durability. Plus, it's resistant to magnetic fields greater than 15,000 gauss, as well as water depths up to 1,000 feet. 

The presentation box is very Bond-esque as well with a combination lock securing the precious timepiece. Even Q would be proud to wear one with this kind of hardware. 

Christie's estimates the watch will sell for £15,000-20,000 ($21,000-$28,000). The Seamaster 300 Bond edition originally sold, directly from Omega, for $7,500. 

The live auction at the London showroom is limited to invitation-only guests. Interested parties can bid on the Seamaster 300, and the other Bond-related items (such as the Aston Martin DB10, designed specifically for the movie) online on Christie's website, and by phone. 

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The ‘First Omega in Space’ Speedmaster Chronograph

This Omega Speedmaster Chronograph is modeled after the first Omega watch that went into space and would soon become known as the “Moonwatch.”

On October 3, 1962, astronaut Walter "Wally" Schirra wore his personal Omega Speedmaster onboard the “Sigma 7” spacecraft of the Mercury program that orbited the earth six times. It marked the start of a long history of space exploration for the Speedmaster Chronograph as the official watch for all NASA manned missions and marketing gold that the Swiss watch brand has mined for more than 50 years.

Named “The First Omega in Space,” the look of this watch includes many of the original Speedmaster’s details along with some new touches. It is driven by the Omega caliber 1861, the same movement used in the Moonwatch.

The updated 18k Sedna gold case is based on the original “pre-professional” Speedmaster, with symmetric lugs and a 1962 Seahorse medallion on the caseback. Sedna gold is an alloy created by Omega.

On its face, the timepiece features a brown polished ceramic bezel ring and a matt chromium nitride tachymeter scale. The same brown color is included on the PVD subdials and minutes track that encircle the opaline silvery dial. Along with the applied indexes, the hands are all made of 18k Sedna gold and contain a mix of “Alpha” and “Baton” designs.

Each watch is numbered and the caseback has an engraving that reads “The First Omega In Space, October 3, 1962.”

The finishing touch is a vintage looking brown leather strap with beige stitching. 

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James Bond 007 Star Daniel Craig And The Omega Seamaster 300 ‘Spectre’ Watch

Daniel Craig wearing the Omega Seamaster 300 ”Spectre” limited edition at the Omega factory in Villeret, Switzerland

Daniel Craig, the current star of the 007 James Bond film franchise recently visited the Omega factory in Villeret, Switzerland, to witness production of the limited edition Omega Seamaster 300 “Spectre” watch. It’s the same model worn by Craig during the filming of the 24th and latest film, Spectre, scheduled for a November 6 release in the US.

The timepiece will be available in select Omega boutiques in September and will be limited to 7,007 pieces. The Seamaster has been James Bond’s watch for 20 years, since the 1995 release of GoldenEye. This will be the first time a watch from the movie will be released to the general public. Prior to this, only commemorative editions have been released in partnership with the movie franchise.

The Omega Seamaster 300 ”Spectre” limited edition

The Omega Seamaster 300 “Spectre” features a bi-directional, rotating 12-hour diving bezel, made from black, polished ceramic, combined with a “LiquidMetal” (a proprietary zirconium-based alloy). It also has the "lollipop" central seconds hands, as well as the five-stripe black and grey NATO strap. The gun logo is engraved on the strap holder.

Each watch is engraved with the serial number on the back along with the Spectre film logo. The watch is powered by the Omega Master Co-Axial caliber 8400.

Joining Craig during his manufacturing tour was Nick Hayek, Swatch Group CEO, and Stephen Urquhart, president of Omega. The actor was shown the production process that goes into making the new watch.

“I think what was so impressive was the fact that these watches are made from the ground up,” Craig said. “You start with nothing, and then there’s suddenly a working watch. That’s the beauty of it.” 

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Omega Unveils Olympic Watch, The Bullhead Rio 2016 Limited Edition

The Omega Bullhead Rio 2016 Limited Edition

The longtime official timekeeper of the Olympic Games, Omega, introduced a new watch to mark its sponsorship of the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio.

The Seamaster Bullhead Rio 2016 Limited Edition is designed to relate directly to the Rio event, set to officially begin Aug. 5, 2016.

Like its Olympic predecessors, the Bullhead Rio has a central chronograph seconds hand and a 30-minute recorder at 12 o’clock. The shape of the watch is reminiscent of a bullhead, and the term was originally a nickname coined by watch collectors who admire the shape of the timepiece.

The Omega Bullhead Rio 2016 Limited Edition with its packaging

The watch is powered with Omega’s Co-Axial caliber 3113, and stamped with the Rio 2016 Olympic Games logo on the caseback.

The exterior of the watch links directly with the Rio 2016 Summer Olympics. For example, the blue leather strap is the same color of the Rio Olympics logo and features stitching along each side colored yellow, green, red and black in recognition of the colors of the Olympic rings. This color theme is continued on the 60-minute rotating inner-bezel that the Swiss luxury watch brand says serves “as a meaningful reminder of the unity and harmony that the Olympic rings signify.”

From left: Torben Grael, Kahena Kunze, Martine Grael and Bastian Baker, Swiss singer-songwriter and an Omega ambassador.

The watch was unveiled at an event in Rio de Janeiro on August 3 that included the introduction of Omega’s three new “friends” of the brand, all from the world of sailing: Brazilian sailor Torben Grael, a five-time Olympic medalist, along with his daughter Martine Grael and her partner Kahena Kunze who are the world ranking leaders of the new Olympic class, the 49erFX.

It is available now for purchase, although limited to 316 pieces in honor of the 3rd time golf will be played at the Olympics, as well as the year 2016.

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Omega and NASA Celebrates 45th Anniversary Of Apollo 13 and the Snoopy Award

From left: Astronaut Gene Cernan, George Clooney, Omega President and CEO Stephen Urquhart, Apollo 13 Flight Commander James Lovell and astronaut Thomas Stafford.

You might be asking yourself what does a watch brand have to do with Apollo 13? And is there actually a NASA award name after the Peanuts comic strip character, Snoopy?

The answer to the first question is, a lot; and the answer to the second question is, Yes.

It was only a 14-second moment but it was one of the most critical steps that turned a near-fatal mission into a human success story. Apollo 13, the aborted mission to the moon, has been popularized through the book, originally titled, “Lost Moon,” (Now called “Apollo 13”) co-written by Apollo 13 Flight Commander James A Lovell and author Jeffrey Kluger; followed by the blockbuster movie, “Apollo 13,” and by the millions of people around the world in 1970 who followed the exploits of the astronauts who successfully returned to earth in their crippled spacecraft.

However, outside of those deeply involved in watches, what isn’t widely known is the role the Omega Speedmaster chronograph played in helping to bring the astronauts home safely. The watch was used to time a 14-second maneuver that proved critical in returning the crew back to earth.

NASA and Omega celebrated the 45th anniversary of the life saving mission during a series of events in Houston on May 12 that culminated with a gala dinner attended by 300 people that featured Lovell, astronaut Thomas Stafford and Eugene Cernan, Omega President and CEO Stephen Urquhart, and film star and Omega ambassador, George Clooney. The company also released a 45th anniversary edition of the Omega Speedmaster Professional Apollo 13 Silver Snoopy Award chronograph, which is in recognition of the Silver Snoopy Award Omega received from NASA astronauts, “for outstanding achievements related to human flight safety or mission success.”

The Critical Maneuver 

Two days into the planned moon landing, an oxygen tank exploded crippling the Service Module, which provided vital functions to the Command Module occupied by the crew. After overcoming a number of hardships never experienced before in a space mission, Mission Control in Houston told the flight crew they were off course by roughly 60 to 80 nautical miles. In this case it meant they would be entering the earth’s atmosphere at an angle that would have bounced the spacecraft back into space with no chance of recovery.

It should be noted that the “spacecraft” they were using to return to earth was the Lunar Module, which was designed to do nothing more than land on the moon and return to the Command/Service Module in the moon’s obit before being discarded. Although no one actually says this, it appears the Lunar Module was actually towing the CSM back to the earth’s atmosphere (which they needed in order to return through the atmosphere). The LM was designed to keep two people alive for two days, not three people alive for more than four days, so in order to reserve the limited energy they shut down nearly all power, including heat and the cabin clock.

(Left) Apollo 13 Flight Commander James Lovell and astronaut Thomas Stafford

Lovell along with John L. "Jack" Swigert, Command Module pilot, and Fred W. Haise, Lunar Module pilot, executed a “maneuver,” to manually adjust the course of the craft. Mission Control determined that it would require a 14-second burn of fuel. Lovell had to guide the craft on course by using the earth’s horizon as his guide. Haise’s job was to ensure the LM didn’t drift sideways. Swigert timed the burn of the rockets. Since the clock on board didn’t work, he had to use the Omega Speedmaster chronograph. Needless to say the maneuver worked.

At a press conference on NASA Space Center Houston, Lovell described the maneuver.

“(It) was done without our normal navigation equipment. We used the earth as a backline. We could see the earth, we could see the daytime and darkness and that line in between we call it twilight or the terminator,” he said. “We had a crosshair on the window of the lunar module so we could superimpose our crosshair on the earth’s terminator and that positioned the engine of our lunar module so we can make the correct movement to get back into the proper course to make a safe landing back on earth.”

He continued, “We had to burn the engine. Have it on only for a certain length of time: 14 seconds…. We used the (Omega) watch that Jack had on his wrist and I had to control the spacecraft. Jack timed the burn on the engine to make that correction to get back home safely.”

The Silver Snoopy Award

For Omega’s contribution to the safe return of the crew, the company received the “Silver Snoopy Award.” It is a special honor awarded to NASA employees and contractors for outstanding achievements related to human flight safety or mission success. The award depicts Snoopy, a character from the Peanuts comic strip created by Charles M. Schulz, which was an unofficial mascot for NASA.

The Silver Snoopy Award Omega received 45 years ago on display at the 45th Anniversary dinner in Houston. Photo credit: Anthony DeMarco

Lt. Gen. Thomas Stafford, who flew on six space missions at NASA, explained at the press conference that the award was used as a motivational tool for employees and contractors. The comic strip was popular with NASA people.

“NASA asked Mr. Schultz if they could use a Snoopy to award people or groups who have made a significant contribution to the safety of a mission,” Stafford said. “He said he would be honored.”

The award itself is a simple sterling silver lapel pin flown during a NASA mission, a commendation letter and a signed, framed Silver Snoopy certificate.

Stafford said Omega deserved the award not only because of its use on Apollo 13 but because of its history with the space program.

“You baseline everything you do in space on time and in training we always used the Omega watch,” he said. “Jack Swigert timed it and Jim (Lovell turned on the main engine). It was all done with an Omega watch. Omega was a vital factor in getting them back. Because of that the omega corporation was awarded the Silver Snoopy.”

Omega and NASA, Fact Vs. Legend

There’s legend and myth mixed in with the reality of the Speedmaster’s relationship with NASA. The entire truth may never be totally revealed (despite those who claim to know the whole story) This explanation will come close.

The relationship officially started in 1965. In March of that year, it was on the wrists of Virgil “Gus” Grissom and John Young during their Gemini 3 mission. Three months later Edward H. White wore his Speedmaster on America's first spacewalk during the Gemini IV mission.

However, there were stories that astronauts wore their own personal Speedmasters as early as 1962. This is true according to Stafford, Omega documents and others at NASA. NASA astronauts Walter “Wally” Schirra and Leroy Gordon “Gordo” Cooper purchased their first flight-watches: the second generation Speedmaster model with the reference CK2998. These privately-owned chronographs were to be used on the upcoming Mercury program flights. And indeed, the very first Speedmaster to fly on a space mission was Schirra's own CK2998 during the Mercury-Atlas 8 (Sigma 7) mission.

How the Speedmaster became NASA’s official watch is also filled with legend. In 1964, Deke Slayton, NASA operations director, sent a directive for an official watch for NASA pilots. A young engineer named James Ragan was tasked with testing the watch.

The Omega celebration of the 45th Anniversary of the Apollo 13 Mission

The rumors are that Ragan, or someone from NASA went to local jewelers to buy watches. I sat next to Ragan (now retired) at the gala dinner and asked him about the story. He put the kibosh on that quickly. NASA is a government organization that has to go through a formal process to make purchases. The truth, he said, is he directed someone at NASA to send out a request for proposal to watch companies. It was a blind directive. Companies receiving the request did not know how the timepieces were going to be used.

“We had four bids. Out of those we selected three watches because the fourth one was too big. We had a Hamilton. We had a Rolex. And we had an Omega,” Ragan said. “One watch had to pass all the tests and we had 10 different tests and none of them were easy but some of them were worse than others.”

The watches received a combination of tests to see how they performed under a variety of conditions, including extreme heat and cold, high oxygen environments, high humidity, different variations in G-force conditions, and even for high decibel environments.

“Within the first two tests, both the Rolex and Hamilton failed. Period,” he said. “So all that was left was the Omega. We followed through on all the testing. It passed all the tests. It did gain a little bit and lose a little bit in the temperature extremes. But those could be adjusted so we didn’t see that as a failure.”

I asked why the Speedmaster performed so well. His scientific reply was: “It’s a tough made watch. We beat the devil out of it.”

Who Knew?

He said over the years he purchased 97 watches through the Gemini, Apollo, ASTP and SkyLab missions. They were used for training and on all missions, including on spacewalks and moonwalks.

At the press conference with the astronauts, Stephen Urquhart, Omega president and CEO, said the watch brand had no discussions with NASA. The company didn’t even know NASA was using their watch. He also emphasized the obvious that the Omega Speedmaster, first introduced in 1957, wasn’t designed for space travel. It was created to time race cars.

“There was never any discussion between Omega and NASA on the watch,” Urquhart said. “In fact, Omega did not know we were flying those until the picture of Ed White in 1965. That’s when we first saw it on his wrist.

The picture Urquhart is referring to is of astronaut Ed White on the first ever spacewalk in 1965, where he could be seen wearing the watch. Ragan said there was a reason for this secrecy.

“The story is true,” Ragan said. “They didn’t know because we didn’t want them to go build something special. Deke Slayton who directed this wanted an off-the-shelf watch.”

The only modification made to the watch by NASA was the addition of a large Velcro strap so it can be worn over the spacesuit.

While the Speedmaster for NASA remains a commercial watch, there have been a couple minor adjustments made over the year at NASA’s request, Ragan said.

“The first chronographs that NASA bought were model 6049 (USA designation),” Ragan said in a statement. “These were to be used for the Gemini program. I found during crew usage for training and flight that it was very easy to bend or break the chronograph function buttons on the side. The case did not provide any protection for them. I asked Omega to consider redesigning the case to provide a little recess to better protect these buttons. Omega willingly redesigned the case and this configuration became the new version of the chronograph. It has the exact same movement—just a different case. This model was designated 6126 (USA designation).  The model 6049 was used throughout Gemini and I started using the model 6126 model for Apollo and beyond.

The other adjustment allowed the astronauts to more easily manipulate the chronograph buttons while wearing their spacesuit gloves.

Omega Speedmaster Apollo 13 Silver Snoopy Award Chronograph

The Speedmaster professional watch created to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the difficult journey home for the Apollo 13 crew has all the markings of the mission and the award Omega received. Snoopy appears on both the dial and the caseback of the watch, whose black and white finished is inspired by the black-and-white comics in newspapers.

The white dial contrasts the black varnished Moonwatch-style hands and the polished black ceramic bezel with its Super-LumiNova tachymeter scale. Super-LumiNova is also on the central hour, minute and chronograph seconds hands.

Two inscriptions decorate the dial. Fourteen small squares between zero and 14 seconds on the dial come together to form a long comic strip, with the words “What could you do in 14 seconds?” written underneath.

At the center of the dial is the quote: “Failure is not an option,” spoken by actor Ed Harris who played Apollo 13 Flight Director Gene Kranz in the 1995 film about the historic mission, Apollo 13. A small image of a sleeping Snoopy painted on the dial with Super-LumiNova is positioned in the small seconds sub-dial at 9 o’clock.

The enameled caseback, with its 925 silver medallion, is partially crafted by hand and engraved with a depiction of Snoopy wearing a spacesuit and carrying the portable air conditioning unit that human astronauts are often pictured with when wearing their space gear. This same image of Snoopy is on the silver pin presented by astronauts to individuals or companies that have contributed to the success of the NASA missions.

The watch is powered with the caliber 1861. It is limited to 1,970 pieces. 

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Astronaut Alan Bean’s Omega Speedmaster At Bonhams Space Sale

Alan Bean’s 18k gold Speedmaster Professional Apollo XI chronograph

There are several interesting items at Bonhams Space History Sale on Tuesday but for Omega watch collectors the highlight will no doubt be astronaut Alan Bean’s 18k gold Speedmaster Professional Apollo XI chronograph.

It is number 26 of 30 numbered watches that were given to President Richard Nixon, Vice President Spiro Agnew and 28 Apollo Astronauts, Bonhams said. Its estimate is $40,000 - $60,000. 

If you’re unable to make Bonhams auction in New York Tuesday you can see the two watches that were presented to Nixon and Agnew at the Omega New York boutique till the end of April.

The back of Bean’s watch up for auction is engraved with the words: “Astronaut Alan Bean—to mark man's conquest of space with time, through time, on time. Skylab Mission II [III] Apollo 12.” Bean was the fourth of 12 men to walk on the moon. He served alongside Commander Pete Conrad as the lunar module pilot for Apollo 12, the second mission to put a man on the moon. 

The Omega Speedmaster Apollo XI model was created in the fall of 1969 to commemorate Apollo 11’s successful moon landing on July 20 of the same year. It was presented at a gala dinner in Houston on November 25. 

Cassandra Hatton, Bonhams director of History of Science & Technology, explains that Bean did not attend the event because he was still under quarantine following the successful landing of the Apollo 12 mission on November 20. It was given to him at a later date.

Bonhams Space History Sale coincides with the 50th anniversary of the first American spacewalk, accomplished on the Gemini 4 mission by astronauts James McDivitt and Ed White. In addition to the Omega watch, the auction will present other items belonging to Bean, including the strap from his portable life support system soiled with moon dust, an uneaten meal that accompanied the mission and which Bean kept as a souvenir, and the water dispenser he used to re-hydrate his food.

Around the corner from Bonham’s Madison Avenue auction house, Omega’s 5th Avenue boutique is showing an exhibition of its historical watches that includes the timepieces numbered 1 and 2, presented to Nixon and Agnew. The reason they are in the possession of Omega is because the two US leaders declined to accept the gifts, Petros Protopapas, Omega Museum manager explains. That’s because the two felt it wasn’t appropriate for men in their positions to accept the watches. 

The back of the watch for Nixon and the front of the watch for Agnew.

The two timepieces are part of an exhibition of more than 50 historical Omega watches, along with advertisements and other artifacts on the second floor of watch brand’s New York boutique. All of the items are from the Omega Museum in Biel, Switzerland. The exhibition is open to the public for the remainder of the month. It will then travel to Omega boutiques in Miami, Atlanta, Chicago, Houston and Dallas.

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$1 Billion Increase in 2012 Swatch Group Sales

Swatch Group, the world’s leading supplier of finished watches and watch movements, said Thursday that annual gross sales for 2012 increased by $1 billion, year-over-year. Its 2012 gross sales totaled 8.143 billion Swiss francs ($8.88 billion), a 14 percent increase over 2011 gross sales.

The Swiss company said in a statement that its 2012 watch and jewelry gross sales increased 15.6 percent year-over-year, to nearly 7.3 billion Swiss francs ($7.96 billion), led by sales in China, with double-digit increases for all of its brands.

In the production segment of the company, capacity was expanded, resulting in improved performance. This led to a 10.1 percent increase in gross sales to 2.21 billion Swiss francs ($2.41 billion). Bottlenecks, which had been a problem in past years due to robust demand, were reduced in 2012, the company said.

Its electronics systems segment “is still exposed to a combination of strong price pressure and adverse exchange rates,” the company said. As a result, gross sales decreased by 7.4 percent in 2012 to 311 million Swiss francs ($339,373).

The Swatch Group brand, Omega, is the official timekeeper for the Olympics, which meant that the company had major marketing expenses during the 2012 London Summer Olympics. This along with “unsatisfactory currency developments” will hit projected operating profit and net income. However, the company said it still expects “good results.”

The company also said that the first 10 days of January saw strong sales, indicating “healthy growth” for 2013.

Based in Biel—the vertically integrated company with full manufacturing capabilities, branded retail outlets and alliances with other retailers throughout the world—owns and operates the following brands: Breguet, Blancpain, Glashütte Original, Jaquet Droz, Léon Hatot, Omega, Longines, Rado, Union Glashütte, Tissot, Calvin Klein Watches + Jewelry, Balmain, Certina, Mido, Hamilton, Swatch, Flik Flak, Endura and Tourbillon.

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