OMEGA Speedmaster: 54th Anniversary of the first moon landing
On the 54th anniversary of the first moon landing in history, OMEGA pays tribute to former astronaut, engineer and Air Force pilot Buzz Aldrin and all those who glimpsed a possibility in the night sky.
The famous feat that made the Omega Speedmaster iconic was during the Apollo 11 mission in 1969, when astronaut Buzz Aldrin wore his Speedmaster Professional as he stepped onto the surface of the moon. Since then, the Speedmaster has been known as the "Moonwatch", and remains the only watch to have been worn on the lunar surface.
On 21 July 1969, General Buzz Aldrin walked on the lunar surface, marking a milestone in human history. His lifelong dream now lay beneath his feet, paving the way for a new era of discovery. On his wrist, the astronaut wore an OMEGA Speedmaster Professional, which at the time became the first watch worn on the moon. In this 54th anniversary commemoration, we honour not only Buzz, but also all those who saw a possibility in the starry sky.
BUZZ ALDRIN
NASA accepted Aldrin on his second application, and so he joined the space programme in 1963, becoming the first astronaut with a PhD. Over the next eight years, he accumulated an impressive total of 289 hours and 53 minutes in space, equivalent to just over 12 days. Despite being satirically nicknamed "Dr. Rendezvous", his theoretical knowledge proved invaluable in planning delicate manoeuvres in outer space.
His valuable contribution to the Gemini 12 project established him as an outstanding candidate for the Apollo 11 crew. Aldrin fulfilled the important role of pilot of the spacecraft's lunar module, known as the Eagle, and became one of the first humans to set foot on the moon in 1969.
His first steps on lunar soil marked an extraordinary achievement for mankind and also for the OMEGA Speedmaster Professional which adorned his wrist, becoming the first watch worn on the moon at that historic time.
Today, Buzz Aldrin can claim to be the most travelled human being in history. Not only has he set foot on the moon and in space several times, but he has also explored the depths of the Titanic, reaching two miles below sea level. He has visited the North Pole aboard a nuclear-powered Russian icebreaker and, more recently, the South Pole. And if that wasn't enough, earlier this year, he broke records by becoming the oldest person to fly with the US Thunderbirds.
"I've been to the Titanic in a yellow submarine and to the North Pole in a Russian nuclear icebreaker" - Buzz Aldrin.
OMEGA Speedmaster 321
On his wrist, we see the legendary OMEGA Speedmaster 321, which houses the celebrated caliber that powered every Speedmaster that has travelled to the moon. From Apollo 11 to Apollo 17, astronauts relied on the caliber 321 for its precision and reliability.
In the 1960s, NASA was looking for a watch that could withstand the rigorous conditions of space and, after extensive testing, the Omega Speedmaster Professional was selected to be part of the astronaut team in 1965.
From this, it established itself as the official watch for all NASA manned space missions due to its accuracy, durability and legibility, which are essential characteristics for space operations. In particular, Omega's caliber 321, a self-winding chronograph movement, proved to be highly reliable in the extreme conditions of space and in weightlessness.
OMEGA Speedmaster: one of the most iconic and celebrated timepieces in watchmaking history
Its reputation has been forged over the years thanks to its impressive performance and its close connection with NASA's space exploration. It was the first watch to be worn on the moon during the historic Apollo 11 mission in 1969. Since that time, the Speedmaster has maintained its position as one of the most recognised and respected watches in the industry.
A timepiece of history and highly valued in the world of watchmaking, its legacy is closely linked to space exploration and mankind's achievements on the moon.
Today, the Speedmaster line offers more than 250 models to choose from, all of which carry with them the heritage and quality for which Omega is known in the watchmaking world. With its continued innovation and industry recognition, the Omega Speedmaster remains a cherished choice for collectors and watch enthusiasts around the world.
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