Apollo 11 and the Omega Speedmaster Pro: The Watch that Landed on the Moon

This week sees the 50th anniversary of the first Moon landing by Apollo 11 (on 20th July 1969) and the first walk by Neil Armstrong the next day. Those of my age will have vivid memories of those events, but it's otherwise hard to find a direct tangible link to the Moon landing. However, there is one object that was used by the astronauts that we can all have a part of; their Omega Speedmaster Professional watches.

Buzz Aldrin on the Moon. His Omega Speedmaster can be seen on his right wrist. Amstrong's reflection can be seen in Aldrin's visor. Armstrong took the photos so there are no good quality images of him on the surface.

On and off over the years I've enjoyed collecting vintage wristwatches. The watch that started this enthusiasm was the Omega Speedmaster Professional. The reason was simple: I could wear a watch identical to those worn on the Moon and by many astronauts and cosmonauts. Tool watches, made and used for a purpose, have to be robust, legible and minimally designed - all, for me, highly desirable qualities.

Omega Speedmasters on Armstrong's wrist at pre-launch breakfast, a geology field trip and with Buzz Aldrin's suit

NASA and the Omega Speedmaster

The Speedmaster was NASA's official watch because it was robust and accurate. It was selected and purchased initially from a local watch shop and Omega themselves were not involved - so the watches used were off the peg, standard models.

Omega Speedmaster watches from the sixties (left) and now (right) as worn in the film First Man. The differences are hard to see & are mainly internal

Within its rapidly accelerating space programme in 1964, NASA had gone in search of a wristwatch that it could qualify for its manned missions. Many brands submitted their timepieces for the punishing tests, but only the OMEGA Speedmaster survived. As a result, it was declared “Flight Qualified for all Manned Space Missions” on the 1^st of March, 1965.

Buzz Aldrin wears his Omega Speedmaster in the command module of Apollo 11

Omega became the only official supplier of watches for NASA’s Human Space Flight Program. It was used throughout the final Mercury Missions and the Gemini, Apollo, Skylab and Apollo-Soyuz programs.

The Speedmaster Professional has since gone through many guises, but the basic mechanical model (it has appeared in quartz form) is essentially unchanged in outward appearance since the sixties. The original beautiful calibre 321 movement was replaced in the late sixties by the easier to manufacture cal. 861 and later 1861 (the modern variation) and this is still used in the watch available today. All these movements are hand-wound so need winding daily - not being automatic adds to their robustness.

Omega earlier this year announced the return of the cal. 321 and it has been used in the gold limited edition of the Speedmaster for the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11.

Ed White wears an Omega Speedmaster for the US's first space walk on Gemini IV on 3rd June 1965

The Speedmaster Pro is still worn in space, until recently on the Shuttle and on ISS. It's even been used for EVAs (extra-vehicular activity) where its mechanical robustness and simplicity gives it the edge over its battery-powered cousins (see above: Ed White's first US EVA in June 1965). 

Omega advertising c.1968

Buying an Omega Speedmaster Professional

The question here is, new or old?

If you're looking for a vintage cal. 321 vintage watch, like those worn in the early days of space flight, I urge caution. Over the years these have been repaired, serviced and had parts replaced. The best investment is one that has its original parts and has been kept regularly serviced. You will need reliable and expert advice when choosing. Budget from £7,000 and much more for a 1960s model in good condition. A good one will be a cast-iron investment. 

You may be be reluctant to wear such collectible watch on a daily basis. As an alternative look for a later cal. 861 or a used modern example where you can spend from around £2000. This will provide a watch that you can wear regularly without worrying too much about it.

The Speedmaster Pro is a reliable and robust timekeeper; that's why NASA chose it, so wear it as it was intended; a tool watch to be bashed around and used well; but remember it wasn't designed to be very water resistant, so I wouldn't wear even a new one for swimming or in the shower.

Budget additionally for a service every few years; this will cost several hundred pounds, but it's important to look after a complicated chronograph movement.

A brand new Omega Speedmaster Pro can be bought in its basic form from around £3800 - see Omega's website for more information. Omega often bring out special editions such as the limited edition gold and steel 50th Anniversary Apollo 11 watches. These are eagerly snapped up by collectors and those looking for an investment. If you're not in one of those categories I suggest you look for a basic model or a used or vintage example of the models actually used in space (cal. 321 or 861). 

Cosmonaut Elena Serova wears a mechanical Omega Speedmaster Pro (on left arm) and quartz Speedmaster X-33 (right arm) on a flight to the International Space Station in 2014

This is an unsponsored post.

Sir Gordon Bennett: A Website Specialising in British Made Goods

A website selling British-made products isn't a new idea, but when it's  attractively presented and contains well-curated goods of all types it's worth a visit.  Sir Gordon Bennett (link below) is no exception. I talked to Neil Elliot, co-founder, to find out more about the business.

British-made goods from Sir Gordon Bennett: Banton Frameworks sunglasses, Stamford notebook, Kokomelt skincare cubes 

Q: Tell me about SirGordonBennett.com - how did you come to launch this website?

A: I have worked abroad for 10 years, and living in foreign climes gives an outsider's view of your home country. You become a little wiser and cosmopolitan but strangely enough a little more patriotic. I had gotten into a rut and needed a change. The only thing I had done for the last 20 years was build brands, so thought I should build my own brand. And my love had grown for craftsmanship products, especially British craftsmanship products. 

There is a store in Germany called ManuFactum that I used to spend far too much time in. They sold beautiful craftsmanship products from all over the world: knives from Japan, kitchenware from France, hiking boots from the U.S etc. I thought Britain has many great craftsmanship brands that aren't internationally known but are just as good as these more famous brands. I searched online to find a site that curated all of these brands into one place and found there wasn't one doing it justice. So, I began in earnest in scouring Britain for the brands that I felt would fit. These are brands and goods that I wanted in my life, so hoped other people would too.

Q: The products are all designed and made in Britain - why did you choose this theme?

A: I think that you don't really appreciate what is right under your nose and it took me to live abroad for the idea of SirGordonBennett to come to me. Having talked to many people whilst I lived abroad, (after they'd finished laughing about our politics) people would often talk about their love for British products.

"The world really does have a soft spot for British brands, especially those still made by craftsmen and women in a traditional way.."

Q: How do you think British made products are seen at home and abroad?

A: They believe that they are well made and last longer and they love the idea that there is always a touch of eccentricity and nobility in them. Maybe that stems from brands such as Barbour, Hunter, Vivienne Westwood, Burberry, Saville Row, Bentley etc. 

The world really does have a soft spot for British brands, especially those still made by craftsmen and women in a traditional way, they make people feel like connoisseurs instead of the nouvelle riche (funny how they are both French words). The 'Made in Britain' mark is the third most trusted mark in the world just behind Made in Germany and Made in Switzerland. It is well documented that the Far East and the US are huge markets for British made goods.

Q: How do you see the future of SirGordonbBennett.com - what products will you add in future?

A: The future is bright, just like that for the British brands we sell. We have no set products that we will or will not sell. But we do have a test that each brand must pass through for us to stock them. We call it 'Modern Heritage':

1: They must look beautiful because there is enough ugly in the world. 

2: They must be made well, with attention to detail that lasts longer, which in turn means less of an impact on the environment. 

3: They must do the job they are intended to do because a product that looks good but doesn't work is ugly in our eyes. 

4: And they must be made in Great Britain. Whether a brand is 200 years old with a Royal Warrant or two years old with a right royal future. 

SirGordonBennet.com

Although we only have 30 or so brands at present, we will be adding all of the time. We want to bulk out our sections - more gardening products, more kitchenware, more accessories, more homeware, even artwork too. And also bigger items, we'd love to stock bikes from Pashley or Temple Bikes for example. 

Our aim is to be the 'go to' small independent department store if people want to buy British craftsmanship brands as they know everything we sell is guaranteed British made. I must point out that this isn't a xenophobic or jingoistic point of view of the world, just our point of difference.

See SirGordonBennett.com 

I was sent the products in the image above to try and review - this feature is otherwise unsponsored.

Glyndebourne Festival Opera in Style

I've been lucky to be a fairly regular visitor to Glyndebourne Festival Opera for some 35 years. There have been many highlights and our visit recently to see Cendrillon (as guests of Glyndebourne) was one of these. In retelling the Cinderella story Jules Massenet wanted to highlight the magical aspects of Cinderella's transition from downtrodden youngest daughter to princess. This production achieves this remarkably well and there was indeed a touching magical beauty to the opera with moments both of humour and tragedy.

But Glyndebourne is as much about the experience as the opera. Tickets for Cendrillon were still available from £85 so this is an experience not just for the few. Entering into the spirit of Glyndebourne, bringing a picnic and dressing up (most men wear evening dress) adds so much to the fun of the occasion and are what draw us back on an annual basis. 

Dressing for Glyndebourne. Chester Barrie made to measure dinner jacket & trousers, Budd silk shirt, hat Laird Hatters

The weather for our visit was perfect - sunny with a cooling breeze. In all the years we've been going I can count the wet and cold occasions on one hand; and there is plenty of shelter if you are unfortunate enough to have bad weather.

We were treated to a Leiths picnic and Nyetimber sparking wine (for those not driving) and I recommend this delicious option if you'd rather not bring picnic basket, tables and chairs to do it yourself.

It's often assumed that the Festival is completely sold out or that only the most expensive seats are left, whereas there are often some lower-price tickets still available. Check on availability by going to https://www.glyndebourne.com/festival/ and enjoy your day!

My wife and I were guests of Glyndebourne Festival Opera.