What is so good about Omega Speedmaster?
What is so good about Omega Speedmasters?
There are three reasons:
No.1 Its unchanging design since its first release.
The first beauty of Speedmaster is its design, which has not changed since its very first model. Speedmaster's first appearance was in 1957, when sports watches were the hottest trend at that time. People nowadays recognize Speedmaster as "the Moonwatch - NASA's watch" but back then it was mainly for motor racing. The first model is known as the "Broad Arrow" - named by its extraordinary hour hand shape.
The icons of Speedmaster are its tachymeter engraved bezel, its fearless black dial, and the three subdials. This design has been the same more than 60 years ever since the first model was created. There were some minor differences between the first, second, and third model, but the basic design remains unmodified from the first model to date. Without any unnecessary decorations and equipped only with the most required functions, it can be said that the design was already a perfection from the beginning of its history.
No.2 The world's first tachymeter bezel.
The second charm of Speedmaster is its world's first tachymeter bezel. Although tachymeter is rather common nowadays, Speedmaster is actually the first watch in the world that featured a tachymeter on the bezel. As Speedmaster was originally for motor racing, tachymeter was installed especially for racers - with a combination of chronograph it allows them to measure speed per hour. It is for sure that the tachymeter bezel gave influence on current chronograph watches too. Not only adored by racers and businessmen, Speedmaster and its mechanical designs tickle all mechanical watch lovers' heart.
No.3 The one and only "Moonwatch"
The third reason Speedmaster gives attraction is because among many wristwatches, it is the one and only "Moonwatch".
Around 1962, NASA began looking for watches for astronauts. They gathered watches from each brand on the market, conducted simulation tests conceivable in space, and checked the durability of each watch. The tests were extremely rigorous that most watches could not clear the certification level. The crystals shattered and the hands stopped moving. Speedmaster was the only watch that passed this test and in 1965 it was certified as NASA's official equipment.
In addition in 1969, when Apollo 11 successfully landed on the moon for the first time in human history, Speedmaster was carried in the arms of the astronauts including Captain Neil Armstrong. This led Speedmaster to be known as the "Moonwatch".
In 1978, specifications of watches for space shuttle programs were released, and many watch brands applied for it. Of course, Speedmaster was chosen again. This was how Speedmaster became the ultimate "One and Only Moonwatch" out of all the other watches that exist the world.
Ever since 1969 mankind has landed on the moon six times in total. The official NASA Speedmaster was always taking the journey, and it probably will continue to be a part of it.