Last Updated on September 26, 2019 by swisswatchreview
The Omega 3579.50.00 SpeedmasterMoonwatch is one for the ages. The watch formed part of the NASA Space Program and became the first watch worn during the moon landing. The Omega Speedmaster is highly accurate and durable, giving it exceptional credibility since its inception.
The Speedmaster is a popular watch around the globe, both for its functionality and rich history. The watch has sat upon the wrists of many space travelers, scientists, and sportsmen. It was considered to be ahead of tis time and is still a classic piece today.
Space Travel
The Speedmaster made its appearance on the market in 1957 but not with the idea to be used in space. However, the features of the Speedmaster made it the perfect space travel companion. The Mercury missions found the watch helpful since it has a chronograph with manual wind movement, the perfect movement for zero-gravity conditions.
NASA tested watches from many manufacturers before choosing the Omega Speedmaster. The tests were harsh and the watch had to withstand dramatic pressure changes, high humidity, and extreme temperatures. The Speedmaster was the only watch to successfully complete all the tests. Other watches did not perform as well since they use weighted rotors, which are not effective without gravity, or broke under pressure. The chronography is also highly accurate when firing rockets in sequence, making it the obvious choice for further testing by NASA.
NASA was so impressed with the Speedmaster that an official qualification was given to the watch for all missions into space. Buzz Aldrin wore the Omega Speedmaster during the moon landing in 1969; the one worn by Neil Armstrong remained in the space shuttle as a timer. This prompted the word Moonwatch to be added after Speedmaster.
Watch Specifications
Omega has not changed much in the design of the SpeedmasterMoonwatch since its launch. The chronograph now boasts and additional rhodium coating that acts as an anti-corrosion material. The chronograph is still highly accurate and tachymetric scale that measures speed is found on the bezel. The dial is black with a protective hesalite crystal face. The hesalite crystal is extremely durable, shatterproof and strong to avoid cracks.
Case and Bracelet
The case and bracelet are both made of stainless steel. The bracelet on the Speedmaster has a push-button release and functions silently. The machining is done well and it does not feel like an oversized bracelet. The center links of the bracelet feature polished strips providing an aesthetic accent. The bracelet can also be replaced with a black leather strap for a different look. Additional straps are available from retailers to change up the appearance of the watch.
The case measures 42mm in diameter and includes a black dial, with a black bezel upon which the tachymetric scale is shown. The design is simple and the face does not include a date feature. The central hour hand, minute hand and indexes have a Super-LumiNova coating to give a luminous glow when it is dark.
The internal workings of the watch are intricate and covered with a back plate. The back of the case is engraved with several things, including the Omega logo and the words “The first watch worn on the moon” but the back of the case can bear other insignia depending on the date it what manufactured. The current case back includes an engraving that says “Flight-qualified by NASA for all manned space missions”.
Limited editions have been produced at times to commemorate specific dates. Some of the earlier watches even featured a clear case back to see the internals. Other case backs could refer to the Apollo mission or a special anniversary edition.
Other features
The SpeedmasterMoonwatch does not contain a battery but uses a mechanical hand-wind function, specifically the Omega 1861 movement. The watch has to be wound manually.The SpeedmasterMoonwatch also comes with a power reserve of 48 hours.
Water resistance is one of the more debated features on the Speedmaster. The watch is only water resistant up to 50m, which is not a lot for divers and swimmers may find the water resistance insufficient.
The SpeedmasterMoonwatch has bonus dials in the main dial. The watch features a sub-dial to show seconds, as well as separate dials to record 30 minutes and 12 hours.
Advantages
The Speedmaster is rated as one of the most credible watch pieces thanks to the rigorous testing by NASA. The durability and strength of the watch will ensure any wearer that the watch can be trusted and won’t break. This is the perfect watch for individuals with an active lifestyle and will stand the test of time.
The Speedmaster Moonwatch is extremely accurate and does not go as fast as some of the watches today. The design is classic and makes it suitable for everyday wear, which means it won’t go out of fashion easily. Additionally, the Omega 3570.50.00 has exceptionally good resale value; an added bonus should a person ever decide to sell the watch.
Disadvantages
The hesalite crystal used by Omega in the Speedmaster Moonwatch can easily get scratches, even though it is strong. Many watchmakers prefer sapphire crytal as it does not scratch easily. However, the hesalite is still a great feature due to its strength; dropping the watch may cause the sapphire crystal to break, whereas the hesalite can withstand these pressures. Luckily, the scratches can be removed quite easily from hesalite, or a replacement glass cover can be purchased at a reasonable price.
The Omega 3570.50.00 Speedmaster Moonwatch has been around for more than 50 years. The watch has a rich history and continues to thrive, which can be attributed to its high-quality workmanship, unique manual-wind system and clear markings. The Speedmaster Moonwatch is a classic watch, suitable for everyday wear by people who prefer a timeless appearance. The features of the Speedmaster make it a truly professional watch and any person who owns one has a timeless piece of artistry on the wrist.
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