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The "pre moon" Omega Speedmaster CK 2998
The Omega Speedmaster was born in 1957, as a "trio member" from the 3 technical – "master" - Omega watches. At the time, nobody could imagine that the NASA would ever choose it as the "Official Space Watch" for their future missions, during the sixties and early seventies. The story of the Speedmaster can be related either through its technical evolution, or its spatial adventures. On the latter point, collectors usually make the distinction between "Pre-Moon" and "Moon" Speeds. Many studies and articles have written to definitely establish which Speed model was worn during the first Moon landing. But, until now, nobody has any certitude about this. Why? It is maybe in its technical evolution that we could find some key answers. The very first Speedmaster model CK 2915, respectively followed by the CK 2998, then by the 105002, 105003,105012, and 145012, were all powered by the very famous Omega caliber 321, columns wheel, 18,000 A/h, and Breguet spiral. These models were produced between 1957 and around 1968, just one year before the first Moon landing. 1969 is also the year of a major technical change in the Speed's movements. From this year, the caliber 321 was replaced by the simpler 861, with a cam instead of the columns wheel, a flat spiral and 21.600 A/h. This change was, without any doubt, an economical choice, even if the "official reason" was improved reliability, which was the truth indeed! Not only was more sophisticated the caliber 321 (originally the Lemania CH 27-12), but also much more costly to produce, maintain and repair. At the opposite side, the caliber 861 (also from Lemania, the 1871), was cheaper and easier to maintain. And for once, cheaper would not mean worse, at the contrary! Lemania is still a very renowned manufacturer, whatever their movements. On a collector point of view, however, the columns wheel movement is more regarded, as being considered more "noble" than the cam one. Considering the above technical considerations, and the fact that the NASA began its "watch selection tests" during 1965, the final choice was made on the Omega caliber 321. Right from 1966, the dial Omega logo was completed by a "Professional" mention, in reference to its "space ability". Those explanations partly answer the question"which Speedmaster model - caliber 321 or 861 - was worn on the moon ?" Would have the NASA in 1965 chosen a caliber 321 Speedmaster for space missions and equipped its astronauts with caliber 821 ones in 1969 ?". It remains a mystery. Well… The Speedmaster showed here is the second model produced since 1959. This time piece, serial number 18'645'916 was delivered in Japan , the 29 th of May, 1962. Accordingly to the Omega Museum , the model 2998 is the watch worn by Shirra in the first space human flight. This was the "Shirra's choice" ! But still not the NASA's choice. Dial and hands bear the original Tritium, and push buttons are also from original build. The bezel, though, has perhaps been replaced a couple of time during its life.
Some original advertisement from 1963
Copyright(c) RochPro Consult 2003. Tous droits réservés.
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