Omega Speedmaster Professional 3573.50.00
#1
03-18-2008, 11:25 AM
Omega Speedmaster Professional 3573.50.00
Been wanting this classic Omega for a long time... finally picked it up in Singapore over the weekend. 
This is the model w/ the sapphire front and back. Below are some pics...
SPEEDMASTER PROFESSIONAL
Steel on Steel
Reference: 3573.50.00
MOVEMENT
Caliber: Omega 1863
Famous manual-winding chronograph movement that was used on the Moon. Rhodium-plated finish
Power Reserve: 48 hours
CRYSTAL
Scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both sides
CASE & DIAL
Stainless steel case
Black dial
WATER RESISTANCE
Down to: 50 meters (167 feet)
Case Diameter: 42 mm
FUNCTIONS
Chronograph
Small seconds
Tachymeter
This is the model w/ the sapphire front and back. Below are some pics...SPEEDMASTER PROFESSIONAL
Steel on Steel
Reference: 3573.50.00
MOVEMENT
Caliber: Omega 1863
Famous manual-winding chronograph movement that was used on the Moon. Rhodium-plated finish
Power Reserve: 48 hours
CRYSTAL
Scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both sides
CASE & DIAL
Stainless steel case
Black dial
WATER RESISTANCE
Down to: 50 meters (167 feet)
Case Diameter: 42 mm
FUNCTIONS
Chronograph
Small seconds
Tachymeter
#2
03-18-2008, 11:29 AM
Omega Speedmaster Professional
From Wikipedia
The Omega Speedmaster, the legendary "Moonwatch", selected by NASA for all the Apollo missions.The Omega Speedmaster Professional, launched in 1957, otherwise known as the "Moonwatch", is a manual winding chronograph and tachymeter made famous by its selection by NASA for the Apollo Program. The Omega Speedmaster was the first watch worn on the moon, as Buzz Aldrin wore his Speedmaster 145.012 fitted with the Omega 321 caliber on 20 July 1969. (Neil Armstrong left his Speedmaster inside the landing module "Eagle" during his famous first walk). The Speedmaster is the only watch flight-certified by NASA for manned space missions, EVA included. It is also the watch chosen for use in outer space by the Russian space agency NPO Energia.
Current reference is 3570.50.00.
History
When the step-by-step procedures of the Project Gemini space-walks were first mapped out, NASA realized that they did not have an approved wristwatch for space travel. The normal procedure of soliciting bids for the design, manufacture and testing of special “Space-Proof” wristwatches was a time consuming process. To save time, NASA sent two systems engineers into downtown Houston “incognito” to purchase several reputable “off-the-shelf” chronographs to be tested for possible use in space. A commonly heard misunderstanding is that a manual-winding watch was preferred to an automatic watch, as it was assumed that zero-gravity conditions would render the self-winding mechanism ineffective. In fact, NASA bought the watches during the early 60's, while automatic chronograph watches did not appear until 1969.
Back of the Omega Moonwatch.Five different brands of chronographs were purchased and returned to NASA for testing. The Speedmaster passed NASA's numerous tests, which included exposure to extreme temperatures, vacuum, intense humidity, corrosion, shock, acceleration, pressure, vibration and noise, whereas the Rolex, Breitling, Bulova, Longines and Heuer, notably, all failed[3].
The tests were completed on March 1st, 1965. At the completion of the tests, three of the chronographs from different manufactures were still running, but only the Speedmaster had passed without any of the serious discrepancies encountered with the others. The Omega Speedmaster was adopted by NASA as the “Officially Certified Wristwatch For All Manned Space Missions.” At this point, Omega was completely unaware of these activities.
The Omega Speedmaster Professional Chronograph was the first watch on the Moon worn on the wrists of Edwin 'Buzz' Aldrin. Unfortunately this particular historically notable watch is now considered missing. Astronaut Buzz Aldrin mentions in his book "Return to Earth" that when donating several items to the Smithsonian Institution, his Omega was one of the few things that was stolen from his personal effects.
The Omega Speedmaster was re-certified in 1972 and in September 1978, for the Space Shuttle missions.
Today, all NASA-issued wristwatches are government property and must be turned in once the astronauts return to Earth. Astronauts are permitted to check the watches out before launch and take them home to familiarize themselves with the watch’s operation.
In 2007, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Omega Speedmaster Professional Chronograph, Omega presented the commemorative watch - the Speedmaster Professional Chronograph Moonwatch. The timepiece was designed to maintain the distinctive features of the first Omega Speedmaster launched in 1957. The anniversary Moonwatch was developed in a limited edition of 5,957 pieces.
Trivia
The first Omegas were issued to the Gemini 3 crew, Grissom and Young. The watch was worn on the outside of the pressure suit with a long black Velcro band.
On Gemini 4, Edward White left the space capsule with an Omega Speedmaster on his wrist to become the first American to walk in Space.
The Omega Speedmaster was the first watch to be worn on the Moon with Apollo 11. In April 1970, it was used to manually time the secondary rocket burns to bring the crippled Apollo 13 spacecraft back to Earth.
From Wikipedia
The Omega Speedmaster, the legendary "Moonwatch", selected by NASA for all the Apollo missions.The Omega Speedmaster Professional, launched in 1957, otherwise known as the "Moonwatch", is a manual winding chronograph and tachymeter made famous by its selection by NASA for the Apollo Program. The Omega Speedmaster was the first watch worn on the moon, as Buzz Aldrin wore his Speedmaster 145.012 fitted with the Omega 321 caliber on 20 July 1969. (Neil Armstrong left his Speedmaster inside the landing module "Eagle" during his famous first walk). The Speedmaster is the only watch flight-certified by NASA for manned space missions, EVA included. It is also the watch chosen for use in outer space by the Russian space agency NPO Energia.
Current reference is 3570.50.00.
History
When the step-by-step procedures of the Project Gemini space-walks were first mapped out, NASA realized that they did not have an approved wristwatch for space travel. The normal procedure of soliciting bids for the design, manufacture and testing of special “Space-Proof” wristwatches was a time consuming process. To save time, NASA sent two systems engineers into downtown Houston “incognito” to purchase several reputable “off-the-shelf” chronographs to be tested for possible use in space. A commonly heard misunderstanding is that a manual-winding watch was preferred to an automatic watch, as it was assumed that zero-gravity conditions would render the self-winding mechanism ineffective. In fact, NASA bought the watches during the early 60's, while automatic chronograph watches did not appear until 1969.
Back of the Omega Moonwatch.Five different brands of chronographs were purchased and returned to NASA for testing. The Speedmaster passed NASA's numerous tests, which included exposure to extreme temperatures, vacuum, intense humidity, corrosion, shock, acceleration, pressure, vibration and noise, whereas the Rolex, Breitling, Bulova, Longines and Heuer, notably, all failed[3].
The tests were completed on March 1st, 1965. At the completion of the tests, three of the chronographs from different manufactures were still running, but only the Speedmaster had passed without any of the serious discrepancies encountered with the others. The Omega Speedmaster was adopted by NASA as the “Officially Certified Wristwatch For All Manned Space Missions.” At this point, Omega was completely unaware of these activities.
The Omega Speedmaster Professional Chronograph was the first watch on the Moon worn on the wrists of Edwin 'Buzz' Aldrin. Unfortunately this particular historically notable watch is now considered missing. Astronaut Buzz Aldrin mentions in his book "Return to Earth" that when donating several items to the Smithsonian Institution, his Omega was one of the few things that was stolen from his personal effects.
The Omega Speedmaster was re-certified in 1972 and in September 1978, for the Space Shuttle missions.
Today, all NASA-issued wristwatches are government property and must be turned in once the astronauts return to Earth. Astronauts are permitted to check the watches out before launch and take them home to familiarize themselves with the watch’s operation.
In 2007, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Omega Speedmaster Professional Chronograph, Omega presented the commemorative watch - the Speedmaster Professional Chronograph Moonwatch. The timepiece was designed to maintain the distinctive features of the first Omega Speedmaster launched in 1957. The anniversary Moonwatch was developed in a limited edition of 5,957 pieces.
Trivia
The first Omegas were issued to the Gemini 3 crew, Grissom and Young. The watch was worn on the outside of the pressure suit with a long black Velcro band.
On Gemini 4, Edward White left the space capsule with an Omega Speedmaster on his wrist to become the first American to walk in Space.
The Omega Speedmaster was the first watch to be worn on the Moon with Apollo 11. In April 1970, it was used to manually time the secondary rocket burns to bring the crippled Apollo 13 spacecraft back to Earth.
#9
03-25-2008, 09:28 AM
Very nice watch... I have a couple of Seamasters myself. I haven't seen the dual sapphire one before. Excellent choice!
