Monthly Archives: April 2007

Press Release – Omega Speedmaster Broad Arrow 1957

Omega Speedmaster Broad Arrow 1957 321.90.42.50.13.001

Omega Speedmaster Broad Arrow 1957 321.90.42.50.13.001

OMEGA’s launch of the Speedmaster Broad Arrow will appeal to today’s discerning watch buyer in search of luxury, precision and a legendary family name encapsulated in one timepiece. OMEGA’s latest Speedmaster Broad Arrow pays homage to its distinguished Speedmaster family line with its iconic “Broad Arrow” hands but, with a movement upgrade and luxurious details, it enters a new dimension and category of mechanical superiority and artistry.

April 19th 2007 – read more below the gallery

Fitted with OMEGA’s exclusive Calibre 3313, this self-winding movement is equipped with the Co-Axial escapement offering even greater reliability and accuracy. In tune with the sophisticated nature of this timepiece, the case and bracelet have been crafted in a choice of metals including a stunning combination of 18-carat red gold and stainless steel. Embellishing the three gold models of the watch even further is the innovative “screw and pin” bracelet, an ingenious system for the rapid adjustment of the length of the bracelet.

The year 1957 was a groundbreaking one for OMEGA. The original Speedmaster – celebrating its 50th anniversary this year – formed a trio of OMEGA débuts along with the Railmaster and the Seamaster 300. All three watches were high-precision timepieces designed for professional assignments and offered similar performance and aesthetic features with black dials, very robust cases and stainless steel bracelets. This year’s model has inherited some characteristic traits of the Speedmaster line with its distinct arrowhead hands, curved and facetted horns and tachymeter scale on the bezel, but it has been reinterpreted in opulent materials and details.

All three versions of the dial, in sleek black, elegant silver and rich, chocolate brown display the timekeeping and chronograph features in high style. The hallmark “Broad Arrow” hands have been facetted, polished and coated with Super-LumiNova for improved aesthetics and legibility. The wide baton hour markers and the OMEGA logo at 12 o’clock have been applied to the dial creating a greater sense of depth and dimension. To embellish and highlight the chronograph functions, the counters have a contrasting outer ring, matching the material of the case and dials. In the case of the silver dial model the hands and the hour markers are made of blued steel; in the black dial version these features have been applied in rhodium and in the brown, black and silver version, the dial is enhanced with golden hands, outer ring and hour markers.

The Speedmaster Broad Arrow boasts the latest advances in watch technology and has been fitted with OMEGA’s exclusive Calibre 3313. At the heart of the self-winding movement is the Co-Axial escapement that considerably reduces friction in the mechanical watch movement, lessens the need for lubrication and in turn offers improved long-term reliability and accuracy. Pioneered by OMEGA in 1999, the Co-Axial escapement represents one of the most important advances in watch making and was first introduced in OMEGA’s De Ville range. The column wheel chronograph mechanism of this timepiece is designed to ensure a smooth start to the sweep of the seconds hand when the chronograph is activated and precision stop and reset functions. The Speedmaster Broad Arrow has a power reserve of 52 hours, a convenient date window at 6 o’clock and has been officially certified as a chronometer by the Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres, the COSC.

The 42 mm case of the Broad Arrow is available in a variety of metals: in sumptuous 18-carat red gold, 18-carat yellow gold, a dramatic combination of stainless steel and 18-carat red gold and more traditional stainless steel. The case has been beautifully polished and brushed and the special double gaskets on the crown and chronograph pushers ensure water resistance to 100 metres/330 ft. The resilient sapphire crystal case back protects and reveals the superlative Co-Axial 3313 movement and the dial is afforded maximum resilience with a domed, scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment.

A novelty of the red gold, yellow gold and combination stainless steel and red gold models of the Speedmaster Broad Arrow is the OMEGA patented “screw and pin” bracelet. Changing the links of the bracelet to suit your wrist size has never been easier with OMEGA’s ingenious system of discreet screws. Not only does this confer greater flexibility, it actually improves the aesthetics of the bracelet. The bracelet is fully integrated into the case forming a highly fluid, ergonomic and harmonious line that follows the contours of the wrist perfectly. Available in red gold, yellow gold and in combination red gold and stainless steel, it all fits with a matching safety clasp. The links of the bracelet are beautifully wrought and have been brushed and polished for additional texture and contrast giving this watch a unique finish. Inspired by the first solid link bracelet of the 1960’s, the more traditional stainless steel version of the Speedmaster Broad Arrow is fitted with a classic stainless steel bracelet and a foldover clasp.

And for watch lovers who prefer the feel and look of a leather strap, there is a choice of a brown calfskin strap for the stainless steel model and a brown alligator strap for the yellow gold model, both with their corresponding stainless steel or yellow gold foldover clasps. The red gold watch can be customised with a black alligator leather strap with its red gold foldover clasp and the impressive stainless steel and red gold version also comes with a brown alligator strap with a stainless steel foldover clasp and OMEGA’s distinctive logo in red gold.

Press Release: Omega Speedmaster 50th Anniversary 1957-2007 Limited Series

Omega Speedmaster Professional 50th Anniversary 311.30.42.30.01.001

Omega Speedmaster Professional 50th Anniversary 311.30.42.30.01.001

OMEGA’s Limited Series launch of the Speedmaster Professional 50th Anniversary is sure to create a stir among Moonwatch purists. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Speedmaster – the first and still the only watch to have been worn on the Moon – a Limited Series of 5,957 stainless steel pieces with a special commemorative design of a golden seahorse on the dial will give collectors a rare opportunity to own a piece of space history.

April 19th 2007 – read more below the picture

Omega Speedmaster Professional 50th Anniversary 311.30.42.30.01.001

Omega Speedmaster Professional 50th Anniversary 311.30.42.30.01.001

The physiognomy of the 42 mm Professional Chronograph Moonwatch with its black dial, chronograph counters and tachymeter scale bears the DNA of the original hand-winding 1957 Speedmaster and its heart is powered by the famous Calibre 1861 that accompanied the watch into zero gravity. Launched in 1957 and designed to measure speed with chronograph and tachymeter functions, the Speedmaster has proved time and time again an invaluable and life saving partner to pilots, astronauts and explorers as they defy boundaries and push to ever-higher limits in the exploration of the universe. With an impressive track record of 11 NASA tests and 6 Moon landings, the Speedmaster has been on every US manned space flight and is currently on board Russia’s ISS International Space Station making this manual-winding timepiece a cornerstone of horological and space history.

OMEGA’s Speedmaster Chronograph was officially “flight-qualified by NASA for all manned space missions” in 1965 although the Speedmaster had already been to space on the wrist of astronaut Walter Schirra on board the Sigma 7 in 1962. Able to withstand extreme temperature changes and zero gravity, the Speedmaster touched down on the moon with Apollo 11 astronauts in July 1969 and subsequently became known as the Moonwatch. During the troubled and dramatic Apollo 13 “Houston, we’ve had a problem here” mission of 1970, the Speedmaster saved the day. An explosion of a reserve oxygen tank compromised all the time keeping mechanisms on board: except one. Commander James Lovell relied on his Speedmaster Chronograph to time, within a fraction of a second, the extremely critical firing of the re-entry rockets allowing for the safe return of his crew to planet Earth. In recognition of the crucial role that its Speedmaster chronograph played on the Apollo 13 mission, OMEGA received the “Snoopy” Award in October 1970 – the highest honour awarded by NASA astronauts. The Speedmaster was present for yet another decisive moment in space history during the 1975 joint USSR-USA Apollo-Soyuz docking. The symbolic handshake in space at the height of the Cold War revealed that both crews were wearing the Speedmaster Chronograph.

To celebrate its half-century of life, the words ‘50th Anniversary’ crown the golden seahorse featured at 12 o’clock on the dial. The hour and minutes hands, the central chronograph seconds hand and baton indexes have been highlighted with Super-LumiNova for maximum legibility in any conditions -on earth or in space. Although the original 1957 Speedmaster featured the iconic “Broad Arrow” hands, these were replaced in 1963 with “Dauphine” hands. Being slimmer, they create more space on the dial for a clearer view of the three counters with 12 hour, 30 minute and 60 second totalisers that proved vital on the Apollo 13 mission. As a tribute to its space legacy, the hands on this watch are white, just like those on the Apollo 11 mission to the Moon. The Arabic numerals on the counters and on the characteristic black aluminium tachymeter scale on the bezel have been designed with maximum clarity and legibility in mind. A scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment protects the dial of this Limited Series Moonwatch.

Purists will appreciate the respect shown for the original Speedmaster in the manual-winding movement. In fact, the Limited Series Moonwatch is powered by OMEGA Calibre 1861, the famous movement that accompanied man on the moon and a tribute to its resilience. The 42 mm stainless steel case of the Limited Series Moonwatch has inherited dominant Speedmaster family traits with its iconic curved and facetted horns and its large push buttons to activate the chronograph. A seahorse medallion has been embossed on the stainless-steel case back as well as the number of the Limited Series 0000/5957 and the words: “FLIGHT-QUALIFIED BY NASA FOR ALL MANNED SPACE MISSIONS. THE FIRST AND ONLY WATCH WORN ON THE MOON”.

Space enthusiasts will remember the original ‘Velcro’ strap designed to fasten the Speedmaster to the exterior of the astronauts’ spacesuits during their missions. Inspired by the first solid link bracelet of the 1960’s, this Limited Series Moonwatch is fitted with a stainless steel bracelet that straps to the wrist with a foldover clasp. With a 45-hour power reserve and water-resistant to 50 metres/167 feet, the Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch has proved it can withstand extreme atmospheric conditions on Earth and in space and, with this limited Series release, is destined to become a coveted collector’s item.

Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch Co-Axial 1957 Limited Series

Omega Speedmaster Professional 50th Anniversary Co-Axial

Omega Speedmaster Professional 50th Anniversary Co-Axial

Moonwatch collectors around the world have cause for celebration as OMEGA marks the 50th Anniversary of its legendary Speedmaster Chronograph with a Limited Series release of the Speedmaster Moonwatch. No other watch has played such a crucial role in man’s quest to conquer space as the Speedmaster: the first and still the only watch to have been worn on the Moon. To commemorate this milestone, OMEGA pays tribute to the year 1957 when the Speedmaster was first launched and will limit production to 57 pieces of each of the three gold versions of the Moonwatch and to 1957 pieces of the stainless steel model, making this an exclusive and coveted collector’s item.

April 19th 2007 – read more below the gallery

Designed to calculate speed with the chronograph and tachymeter functions, the original 1957 Speedmaster has proved time and time again an invaluable and life-saving partner to pilots and astronauts. With an impressive track record of 11 NASA tests and six Moon landings, the Speedmaster has been on every US manned space flight and is currently on board Russia’s ISS International Space Station making this manual-winding timepiece a cornerstone of horological and space history.

OMEGA’s Speedmaster Chronograph was officially “flight-qualified by NASA for all manned space missions” in 1965 although the Speedmaster had already been to space on the wrist of astronaut Walter Schirra on board the Sigma 7 in 1962. Able to withstand extreme temperature changes and zero gravity, the Speedmaster touched down on the Moon with Apollo 11 astronauts in July 1969 and subsequently became known as the Moonwatch. During the troubled and dramatic Apollo 13 “Houston, we’ve had a problem here” mission of 1970, the Speedmaster saved the day. The explosion of a reserve oxygen tank compromised all the time keeping mechanisms on board, except one. Commander James Lovell relied on his Speedmaster Chronograph to time, within a fraction of a second, the extremely critical firing of the re-entry rockets allowing for the safe return of his crew to planet Earth. In recognition of the crucial role that its Speedmaster chronograph played on the Apollo 13 mission, OMEGA received the “Snoopy” Award in October 1970 – the highest honour awarded by NASA astronauts. The Speedmaster was present for yet another decisive moment in space history during the 1975 joint USSR-USA Apollo-Soyuz docking. The symbolic handshake in space at the height of the Cold War revealed that both crews were wearing the Speedmaster Chronograph.

Moonwatch enthusiasts will appreciate the physiognomy and classic Speedmaster heritage of this chronograph with its famous curved and facetted horns, the characteristic tachymeter scale on the bezel, the large push buttons to activate the chronograph and the hallmark black dial. However, as befits a 50th Anniversary, this Limited Series watch features a striking black enamel dial. Even with today’s technological advances, masterful enamelling remains an art and is the fruit of labour-intensive work and dedication. Enamel fuses to metal surfaces at extremely high temperatures of over 1000° Celsius. To obtain superior results, several layers of enamel are necessary which in turn are fired and then polished. The rich, inky black of this Limited Series Moonwatch dial is the result of mixing metal oxides with the transparent enamel and firing the piece repeatedly until the perfect tone has been obtained.

As a tribute to its lineage, this Limited Series Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch features the original 1957 OMEGA logo applied on the dial. Just below the vintage logo is the Limited Series number 00/57 for the three gold versions of the watch and 0000/1957 for the stainless steel version.

Although the original 1957 Speedmaster featured the iconic “Broad Arrow” hands, these were replaced in 1963 with “Dauphine” hands. Being slimmer, they create more space on the dial for a clearer view of the three counters with 12 hour, 30 minute and 60 second totalisers that proved vital on the Apollo 13 mission. The hour and minutes hands, the central chronograph seconds hand and the baton hour markers have been highlighted with Super-LumiNova for maximum legibility in any conditions – on earth or in space. A scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment protects the enamel dial of this Limited Series. This 42 mm manual-winding timepiece has a 55-hours power reserve and is water-resistant to 100 metres/330 feet. Although the face is a replica of the Speedmaster Professional worn on the Moon, the heart of this anniversary watch beats with even greater precision thanks to the incorporation of the Calibre 3201 manual movement with Co-Axial escapement. Introduced by OMEGA in 1999, this revolutionary and proprietary technology considerably reduces friction in the mechanical watch movement and so diminishes the dependence on lubrication ensuring precision time keeping for longer periods of time. Other variants from the original are the COSC – Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres – certified chronometer status of the watch and a superior column-wheel system driving the chronograph module. The latter is designed to ensure a smooth start to the sweep of the seconds hand when the chronograph is activated. It also provides precision stop and reset functions that do not interfere with the main timekeeping function of the watch. The screw down glass case back displays the luxurious finish of the movement complete with blued steel screws and column wheel, circular graining and gold-plated engraving, white rhodium-plated movement and Geneva wave decoration.

Innovative changes have been made to the bracelet. Space aficionados will remember the original ‘Velcro’ strap that fastened the Speedmaster to the exterior of the astronauts’ spacesuits during their missions. This year’s 50th Anniversary Limited Series Moonwatch has been fitted with OMEGA’s patented “screw and pin” bracelet inspired by the first solid link bracelet of the 1960’s. Changing the links of the bracelet to suit the wrist size has never been easier with OMEGA’s ingenious system of discreet screws. This highly fluid and ergonomic bracelet follows the contours of the wrist perfectly and is available in red gold, yellow gold, white gold and steel. The links have been beautifully wrought and brushed and polished for greater contrast and effect. In addition to the bracelet, the Limited Series Speedmaster Moonwatch Chronograph comes with a black alligator leather strap with a foldover buckle to match the metal of the case.

To mark the occasion, the commemorative Moonwatch will be presented in a special handmade wooden presentation box with a beautiful marquetry rendition of the seahorse logo on the lid. The watch’s certificate of authenticity, the black alligator strap, a series of tools including a magnifying glass for adjusting the length of the “screw and pin” bracelet or for changing the bracelet for the alligator strap, operating instructions for the tools and a catalogue are all included in the Limited Series presentation box. The four feet of the box have been engraved with eight dates. Each date commemorates a moment in man’s relentless quest to conquer new horizons and Speedmaster’s invaluable role during these exploits: 1957 – the launch of Speedmaster; 1965 – Speedmaster’s first venture in outer space during the Gemini IV spacewalk; 1968 – Speedmaster accompanies the Plaisted expedition to the North Pole; 1969 – Apollo 11 Moon landing and Moon walk; 1970 – the troubled Apollo 13 mission; 1975 – the historic USA-USSR space docking on Apollo Soyuz mission; 2007 – the 50th Anniversary of Speedmaster and 2011 – marking the year in which the SolarImpulse will circumnavigate the globe powered solely by solar energy. The Limited Series Speedmaster Moonwatch Chronograph Co-Axial 1957 offers collectors a rare opportunity to own a piece of space and horological history.