The OMEGA Speedmaster Professional Chronograph watch made its debut in 1957 and was advertised as the official Apollo Astronauts’ watch when they went to the moon attached to the outside of the astronauts’ suits during the 1960′s space race. Legend has it that all of the major watch manufacturers, including Bulova and Rolex, competed in three separate official space race timepiece competitions in the 1960’s to be the official NASA space watch and Omega won all three times. NASA officials put the watches through numerous punishing tests of extreme pressure change, shock, high humidity and extreme temperatures and only the Omega Speedmaster was able to complete all of the tests without malfunctioning. The back of the Omega watchcase is now engraved with a Nasa insignia of approval and time-honored logo.
This popular chronograph watch has a stainless steel case and a mechanical hand-wind function that does not require a battery. It is crafted with Hesalite crystal luminescent hour markers and hands. This particular line of Speedmaster Professionals is now available in several versions. However they are essentially unchanged over the past 50 years. Aside from its classic look, the Omega 3570.50 Speedmaster Professional Chronograph possesses incandescent markers on a clear dial, a 42.55mm case, a reliable manual wind mechanism and water resistance, but only up to 167 feet. Consumers who are looking for more of a diving watch should not purchase this model, but might consider a Planet Ocean or a Seamaster 300M for that purpose.
The Omega 3570.50 watch has an unbelievably high resale value as well, since it possesses much all the allure and timekeeping accuracy of a Rolex watch, but with an understated sense of cool reserve without the gaudiness. Speedmaster watches have been known to last virtually forever, but do tend to require replacement bands, which ironically seem to cost more than the watch itself.
Click here for more info and reviews
