A little history:
1. The speedmaster was developed by Omega in 1957 for racing (hence the name).
2. In 1959 NASA chose the first 7 individuals for the Mercury space program.
3. In 1962, two of those seven astronauts, Walter Schirra and Gordon Cooper, purchased speedmasters. These were second generation speedmasters, ref CK2998 powered by caliber 321 (and manufactured by lemania). At this time, NASA didn't provide watches for the astronauts.
4. Also in 1962, Schirra flew into space via the Mercury-Atlas 8 (Sigma 7) mission, so his speedmaster CK2998 was the first Omega speedmaster in space. NOTE: NASA hadn't qualified any watches, so Wally's speedmaster wasn't flight qualified by NASA.
5. NASA decides to equip the crew with wristwatches, and the search begins for a watch that can be qualified for space travel. NASA receives four submissions. Three undergo 11 tests by NASA engineer James Ragan. The Omega speedmaster, ref ST 105.003, was the only one that didn't stop running therefore it was selected, and certified on March 1, 1965.
6. Also in 1965, Ed White performed the first EVA spacewalk by an American during the Gemini IV mission. He wore speedmaster ref ST105.003 powered by caliber 321.
7. In 1968, caliber 321 was replaced by caliber 861.
8. On June 21, 1969 the Apollo 11 lunar landing: Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin wore Speedmasters ref ST105.012. These were powered by caliber 321. Michael Collins orbited: speedmaster ref ST145.012. These were powered by the 861 movement.
9. In 1996, caliber 1861 replaced caliber 861 (it is a rhodium-plated 861).
In Summary:
*Speedmaster models used for the space program (through the Apollo missions) that were flight qualified were all powered by caliber 321: ST105.012, ST145.012, and ST105.003.
*Wally Schirra's privately purchased Omega CK2998, the first Omega in space, was pre-NASA equipping astronauts with wrist watches, so pre-flight-qualified.
*The first time caliber 861 went into space was in 1973, Omega ref ST145.022, in a joint mission with Russia (Apollo-Soyuz).
*Neither caliber 861 or 1861 have been on the moon. Although descendents of caliber 321, the movements are not identical.
*Caliber 321 in the Ed White speedmaster also isn't identical to the 321 used in the speedmasters for the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo missions. Omega has made the movement more robust.
Speedmasters mentioned:
1. 2021 Speedmaster moonwatch professional powered by caliber 1861 & METAS certified. Ref 310.30.42.50.01.001.
2. 2019 “Ed White” speedmaster moonwatch inspired by Ed White’s spacewalk, and powered by caliber 321. Ref 311.30.40.30.01.001.
3. 2012-2020 First Omega in Space inspired by Wally’s 1962 orbit, and powered by caliber 1861. Ref 311.32.40.30.01.001.
4. The speedmaster ref 311.30.42.30.006 which is also known as the sapphire sandwich because it has a sapphire crystal, and a sapphire case back (it is an exhibition caseback). It is powered by 1863, which is a version of 1861 made pretty for viewing.
References:
Omega's website (www.omegawatches.com).
Tip: Type into a search bar: omega ref (enter ref numbers), and usually somewhere on the page, a link to the actual Omega listing for the watch will appear.
For the Ed White speedmaster-Hodinkee:
[ Ссылка ]
[ Ссылка ]
For the complete guide to reference numbers-Hodinkee:
[ Ссылка ]
For the history of caliber 321:
[ Ссылка ]
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