BUILT FOR SPEED
The Speedmaster Celebrates its 60th Anniversary this year. Omega paid tribute to the iconic timepiece at a star-studded event at the tate modern. Peter Zewet reports from London
AMONG OMEGA’S LINE-UP of horological masterpieces, the Speedmaster is the chronograph that stands out. Its history as the first watch ever to be worn on the Moon has made it an enduring symbol of ingenuity. While its trip into space in 1969 made it famous, the Speedmaster was originally built for speed. When first released in 1957, it was intended not for rocket ships but for racing cars.
With a driver’s instincts in mind, the Speedmaster was built with a hardy construction to endure intense vibrations and shocks, while keeping perfect time. It was also the first watch to take the tachymeter scale off the dial and place it on the bezel, making it easier for drivers to time their laps.
As the first watch with these two features, the Speedmaster was an instant hit with professional drivers. These features were also what made it suitable for space exploration, and would place it on the wrist of every astronaut in the Apollo programme from 1965 onwards.
It was in 1964 that NASA began hunting for a chronograph to use on its manned space missions. They chose watches from a number of different brands and put them through the same series of tests that were used for every piece of hardware that was intended for space. Only one watch proved a match to the extreme temperatures, shocks and vacuum
mandated by the selection process: the Omega Speedmaster.
Today, six decades on, the Speedmaster is still qualified for all manned space missions and is a permanent piece of equipment on the International Space Station. As a testament to the forward-thinking design of the original, the Moonwatch produced today is essentially the same as the one released in the pre-space age.
While different variations have appeared over the decades, the original spirit of Speedmaster remains true, along with the classic features that have made it unique. For 2017, Omega presents the Speedmaster Racing Master Chronometer. The distinctive minute-track style on this stainless steel watch first appeared on a 1968 model. Linked to the watch’s motor racing heritage, it returns on a matt-black dial.
The subdials have been slightly expanded for improved readability and the 44.25 mm case is thinner than previous versions, thanks to the work done on the sapphire crystal in particular. Its polished ceramic bezel features a brushed Liquidmetal tachymeter scale as well as distinctive orange wording that matches the colour of the varnished hands and tip of the seconds hand. For the strap, black leather that contains a section of orange rubber, seen through micro perforations, provides a sporty look while ventilating the wearer’s skin.
The Speedmaster Racing Master Chronometer is the next model with master chronometer certification. Driven by the calibre 9900, the watch and its movement have reached the Swiss industry’s highest standard of precision, performance and magnetic resistance, as certified by the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology (METAS).
Another 2017 model is the Speedmaster 38 mm. Nicknamed the “Cappuccino”, this refined example is just one piece in the complete collection for men and women. Its case is made from stainless steel and 18K Sedna gold, while the strap has been made from taupe-brown leather. One of the watch’s most interesting features is the diamond-paved bezel that also includes a tachymeter scale on a brown aluminum ring. This dual design has enabled Omega to add the elegance of diamonds and also retain the sporty DNA of the original models. The caseback is stamped with the Seahorse medallion, and on the inside, the watch is driven by the Omega Calibre 3330, complete with Co-Axial technology and a silicon balance spring.
To officially celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Speedmaster, Omega held a spectacular gala dinner on the evening of Wednesday, April 26, at the Tate Modern art gallery in London. Themed “Lost in Space”, the event paid tribute to the watch’s unrivalled legacy in space exploration.
Giving guests a truly sensory experience, the event was definitely one of a kind. Men in Astronaut’s attire, who were spotted all over London earlier that day, were lined-up at the entrance, to greet the arriving guests. Inside the venue, a play of lights and sounds created a futuristic vibe. In the spotlight was an impressive display of 60 important Speedmaster models from 1957 to 2017. The seating, table-setting and food presentation of the dinner continued in the sleek and futuristic style, complete with the servers dressed in white lab coat and clear goggles.
“The Speedmaster is one of the most iconic chronographs in the world,” said
Raynald Aeschlimann, President and CEO of Omega. “Not only for Omega, but for the many men and women who have worn and trusted it, even after 60 years its power and charisma have not diminished. We’re so proud to have an event of this scale and to share it with the Speedmaster’s biggest fans. After his welcome speech, Aeschlimann was joined on stage by the guests of honour: Buzz Aldrin and George Clooney,
Most famously, as part of Apollo 11, Buzz Aldrin made the Omega Speedmaster the first watch ever worn on the Moon when he stepped onto the lunar surface. Forty-eight years later, Buzz appeared spectacularly in a spacesuit on stage. After receiving tremendous applause, he recounted his memories of his time in space:
“We weren’t scared. More so, we were proud to have been able to represent everyone and to have the skills and the knowledge to carry out something that was very meaningful to us as astronauts, of course, but also to so many other people.”
Standing alongside Aldrin, George Clooney, renowned actor and filmmaker, said that he is not only a dedicated Speedmaster follower, but also a lifelong fan of space exploration. Since childhood, the Apollo missions and the Omega watches have been among his most treasured memories.
“Speedmasters were a big part of my growing up,” Clooney told the audience. “My uncle and my father, we all had them because it was such a big part of the Moon landing. And it was huge in our lives. My father gave me, as my graduation present, a Speedmaster. There’s every reason to love them because they’re elegant watches. But I also love them because of the history.”
When host of the night, Professor Brian Cox, asked George about his memories of the moon landings, George gave a very personal tribute to Buzz. “It mattered to all of us. What you did mattered to all of us and I can’t thank you enough for your courage, your leadership and everything you’ve done.”
That sentiment was shared by VIP fans of the timepiece that night, which included many international celebrities. A night of entertainment and imagination, the “Lost in Space” event was fittingly concluded with a performance by Eska, who gave a rousing rendition of David Bowie’s “Space Oddity”.
Few watches have the power to inspire like the Omega Speedmaster. As it celebrates its role in one of the greatest achievements of the 20th century, the Moon landing, the watch is will surely mark many more great milestones in the next 60 years.