Horology Talk Blog

Many WIS know that the 2009 SIHH is upon us. What’s the SIHH??

Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie
Only attempt pronouncing this if you buy expensive wine at nice restaurants without pointing to which you want.

Either way, this is (usually) a time of excitement in the horology world. This year there seems to be quite a bit less enthusiasm for the show- likely because many of us can now trade our portfolio for a quartz Invicta.

Dutifully, however, the watch companies are rolling out their wares. First up I’ll post some of the recent Omegas. It’s no secret that this is likely  my favorite brand, and I look forward to seeing what they come up with.

They were off to a great start with the 40th Anniversary Speedmaster Professional:

From their Press Kit:

“The first manned lunar landing on the 20th of July, 1969 was the greatest, most dramatic scientific achievement in human history. When Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin stepped onto the moon’s surface at 02:56 GMT on the 21st of July, Aldrin was wearing his OMEGA Speedmaster and a legend was born. An interesting footnote: the electronic timing system on the Lunar Module was not functioning correctly so Armstrong had left his watch aboard as a reliable backup.
Now OMEGA joins the world in the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the first moon landing with the release of the Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch Apollo 11 “40th Anniversary” Limited Edition.

It is fitting that the distinctive timepiece is powered by OMEGA’s famous calibre 1861, the same movement used in the original Speedmaster Professional Moon Watch. The stainless steel casebody is delivered with a stainless steel bracelet which has been upgraded to include OMEGA’s patented screw and pin system.
The black dial also recalls that of the Moon Watch with some key differences. The small seconds counter (sub-dial) has been created in the form of a small medallion which features an adaptation of Apollo 11’s famous mission patch: an eagle descends to the lunar surface with an olive branch representing peace in its claws. In the distance, far above
the horizon, the earth is visible. The patch, interestingly, was designed by Michael Collins who remained in the Apollo 11 capsule as Command Module Pilot while his colleagues Armstrong and Aldrin were in the Lunar Module and on the moon.
The watch’s hour, minute and the red-tipped chronograph seconds hands are coated with Super-LumiNova. The minute and hour chronograph counter hands are white and the brushed, rhodium-plated small seconds hand offers an attractive contrast to the medallion on the counter.

Below the words “OMEGA Speedmaster PROFESSIONAL” on the dial, the legend 02:56 GMT – the exact time
that Neil Armstrong made his “one
small step” onto the moon – is displayed in red.

The 40th Anniversary Limited Edition’s dial is protected by Hesalite, the same robust, shatter-proof acrylic crystal found on the original Moon Watch. Hesalite was ideally suited for use in space – there was no chance that it could break apart and send potentially dangerous fragments into the low-gravity environment. A small, distinctive OMEGA logo has been etched evocatively inside the Hesalite crystal.

The Apollo 11 “Eagle” mission patch is stamped on the caseback along with the words, “THE FIRST WATCH WORN ON THE MOON”, the limited edition number (0000/7969), and “July 21, 1969”, the date Armstrong and Aldrin first stepped onto the moon’s surface at 02:56, the time which is printed on the dial.

The OMEGA Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch Apollo 11 “40th Anniversary” Limited Edition is delivered in a black presentation box which also includes a 42 mm silver medal (the same diameter as the watch) featuring an engraving of the mission patch on one side with the words “APOLLO 11, 40th ANNIVERARY”. On the reverse side, the medal is engraved, “THE EAGLE HAS LANDED”; “LAUNCHED JULY 16 1969”; “LANDED JULY 20, 1969”; and “RETURNED, JULY 24, 1969” along with OMEGA’s name and logo. Also in the presentation box is a certificate of authenticity and an envelope containing a black polishing cloth with information commemorating the historic space flight.

Centuries from now, historians will continue to look back in wonder at the Apollo 11 mission. For the first time ever, human beings had left Earth, walked on another celestial body, and returned safely home. OMEGA will always be proud of the role it played in the greatest scientific adventure of all time.”

It sounds great and looks even better. I think this will be a home-run by Omega and I can’t wait to see it in the flesh.

Their other offerings did a bit less for me this year.  Their next additions were the “Jewelry Collection”, which appear to be diamond encrusted POs and POCs (Planet Ocean and Planet Ocean Chronographs). My wife would definitely love them (but at the same time, prefer a Cartier). Omega’s a very smart company and I’m sure they know their demographics and have done all the focus groups. I think they’ll be winners, just not for me:

Finally I’ll close with the Omega Aqua Terra “Teak”. Many have seen the pics of this one since Basel last year, but I just love their press photo:

Sorta gives the illusion of looking of the mahogany deck off a beautiful boat in St. Kitts. Great shot.
Till next time,

Horologically Yours,

webmaster@horologytalk.com

This entry was posted on Tuesday, January 20th, 2009 at 5:05 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.