Monthly Archives: September 2013

Speedy of the Week: 2013 #39

Omega Speedmaster Professional Eyes on the Stars 3578.51.00

Omega Speedmaster Professional Eyes on the Stars 3578.51.00

First of all – we probably owe you an apology. Last two weeks have been kinda slow on SpeedyWatches.com. Work and other obligations took their toll.. But we’re here now!

Our choice for the Speedmaster of the Week for week 39 is [of course] another one of our favourites: the Eyes on the Stars, a.k.a. the Snoopy. To horological ignoscenti (does that word exist??) probably one of the strangest Speedmasters ever – a cartoon character on a high-end watch? – but to those in the know a token of Omega’s contributions to NASA’s space program.

The ‘Silver Snoopy Award’ is a special honour awarded to NASA employees and contractors for outstanding achievements related to human flight safety or mission success (source). Omega has been a part of the space program since it’s early days – but the Snoopy Award was awarded to Omega for a special occasion:

In April 1970, the OMEGA Speedmaster contributed to the rescue of the Apollo 13 mission from a potential disaster, earning OMEGA the “Snoopy Award”, the highest distinction awarded by the NASA astronauts. (source)

While Omega puts it somewhat more dramatically than NASA (or Wikipedia) does, it is still a mayor achievement – one that was aptly celebrated with this 2003 Speedmaster Professional. It was made as an limited edition of 5441 pieces – but still, it is somewhat hard to find at a decent price nowadays.

You might want to check out the movie about Apollo 13 – IMDB link!

Now for something else.. Snapshots we took..

While browsing our mobile archives, trying to rock Instagram, we came across quite a few Speedmaster pictures.. So why not share here?

We’ll be posting some quality pictures & history stuff in the next few days.. Crazy week!

Speedy of the Week: 2013 #38

Omega Speedmaster 125 378.0801.

Omega Speedmaster 125 378.0801

YES! It’s that time of the week again: Speedmaster of the Week!

Well, to be frank, it was due yesterday but we were to busy partying with our friends of AceJewelers and SevenFriday.. But worry, we’re here now!

This weeks Speedmaster of the Week is the Speedmaster 125. And we would not be SpeedyWatches.com if we didn’t choose a somewhat unusual version: the Pulsometer.

The Speedmaster 125 is something special. Is is big and heavy like no other Speedmaster – build like a brick. It was introduced to commemorate Omega’s 125th anniversary in watchmaking in 1973. For that time -quartz crisis soon to be released- it was a very high-tech timepiece.

The Speedmaster 125 has a few distinct features. First of all, the case and bracelet are near indestructible. It was Omega’s first chronograph with chronometer-rating. But perhaps its most important feat: it was the very first automatic chronograph with chronometer-rating (COSC certificate) EVER! While nowadays this is very common, in 1973 -only 4 years after the introduction of the first automatic chronograph- this was a huge novelty.

The watch posted above has the somewhat unusual Pulsometer scale, while the Tachymeter is the version most often encountered. A Telemeter version was also available.

The Speedmaster 125 is said to have been made in no more than 2000 examples. It was powered by caliber 1041, the chronometer-rated version of caliber 1040.

Picture by Antiquorum – click to see the final results.

Save the Date: Speedy Tuesday Event

Speedmaster Tuesday Event

Speedmaster Tuesday Event

Our friends over at FratelloWatches are organizing something fun, right here in The Netherlands: the Speedy Tuesday Event.

To quote our friends: The Speedy Tuesday Event will be held on Tuesday the 29th of October, from 16:00 (GMT+1) and onwards. Both new and vintage Speedmasters will be present as well as the Fratello team and OMEGA representatives. Perhaps even more important, there will be a lot of fellow Speedmaster enthusiasts as well.  Including a number of people who contributed to Speedy Tuesday on Fratellowatches.

So… will we see you there? Check out more details at FratelloWatches!

Friends? Sure.. above two cellphone shots of our recent encounters with team FratelloWatches.. Passion for Speedmasters!

 

Strap Change..

Omega Speedmaster Professional 3870.50.31

Omega Speedmaster Professional 3870.50.31

A few snapshots.. The Speedmaster is such a versatile watch – it looks great on nearly everything. For today’s shoot we choose to go with a few less obvious choices.. What strap do you wear on your Speedy Pro? Comment or send your pics to Dale@SpeedyWatches.com!

Omega Speedmaster Professional 3870.50.31

Omega Speedmaster Professional 3870.50.31

Omega Speedmaster Professional 3870.50.31

Omega Speedmaster Professional 3870.50.31

Omega Speedmaster Professional 3870.50.31

Omega Speedmaster Professional 3870.50.31

Omega Speedmaster Professional 3870.50.31

Omega Speedmaster Professional 3870.50.31

Omega Speedmaster Professional 3870.50.31

Omega Speedmaster Professional 3870.50.31

This Speedmaster was originally fitted with a black alligator + folding clasp.. Interested? Check it out at Authorized Dealer Ace Jewelers.