Category Archives: Omega

When there is almost as much talk about the movement of a particular watch as there is about the watch itself, it is clear that the watch has achieved a place in the replica watch collection. When collectors refer to the Omega Speedmaster professional Moonwatch, for example, they often hear caliber figures as often as reference figures. Some sports are more popular because of their scarcity, while others are praised for their technological advances. Let’s take a closer look at two similar omega overlord movements, the 1861-1863 caliber, to highlight their differences and similarities.  
Some of you may already know that the Omega Speedmaster debuted in 1957 as a timing device designed for motor racing. The timing device is driven by the hand-wound lemanibased calibre 321, a cylindrical wheel controlled side clutch timing device that is highly regarded for its beautiful design. Previous generations of speedpost operated on no. 321 (ref. 2915, 2998, 105. 002, 105. 003, 105. 012, and 145. 012), including the speedpost watch that landed on the moon on Apollo 11.
However, when omega introduced ref.145. 022 in 1969, the Caliber 861, based on lemania, was added to the supercar’s case. Unlike the cal. 321, the manual 861 has a cam-controlled timing device, which is much easier to produce because of its simple structure. In conjunction with the debut of the 861 calibre speedpost, the nickname for the watch’s new “moon watch”; However, the 9t is a reference to the. 321 equipment that is actually worn on the surface of the moon.
The caliber 861(and its derivatives) remained the preferred reference for the standard Speedmaster Professional “Moonwatch” until the 1996 introduction of the reference number 3570. 50, whose caliber was 1861. The main difference between 861 and 1861 is that the newer movement features rhodium-plated parts, as opposed to previous copper-plated. To this day, omega still USES calibre 1861 and its derivatives, which are widely available in the “speedpost” professional monthly reference materials currently produced.
The 1861 omega calibre is a hand-wound timekeeper with a frequency of 21,600 cycles per hour (3Hz) and a power reserve of 48 hours. It has 18 gems and its parts are rhodium-plated. Omega has been using it in selected “speedpost” replica watches since 1996; However, no such substance has been found in current production of omega watches. The modern “speedpost” professional monthly chart refers to the house calibre of 1861, including “speedpost” no.311. 30. 42. 30. 01. 005 and “speedpost” no.311. 33. 42. 30. 01. 001. However, this does not match what omega enthusiasts consider the “true descendant” of the 42mm stainless steel moonwatch.
Caliber 1863 is based on caliber 1861 with the same representation, but its movement is reserved for models with transparent cases. Thus, since the 1863 Karl was on display while the 1861 was hidden behind a solid case, the caliber 1863 is the more attractive version, featuring rounded wood grain on the floor, the Geneva stripes of the bridge (also known as the cozde Geneva), and the polished edge of the lever and bridge.

Elon Musk, the billionaire who recently made headlines, is part of the Stephen Hawking prize for science communication at the Starmus V festival in Zurich, Switzerland.
The Tesla tycoon joins the second man on the moon, buzz aldrin, who wears an omega Speedmaster on the lunar surface, known as the fabled thing;” Said Raynald Aeschlimann, President and chief executive of replica omega, as well as Brian Eno, a British producer and musician, and the producer of the Apollo 11 documentary, which received a precious replica watch. 
Starmus V and Stephen Hawking medal for scientific communication
Omega sponsors the festival and the Stephen Hawking medal for science communication, named after the late physicist and cosmologist, which honors work that “helps raise public awareness of science.”
The winner is Speedmaster Moonwatch, the “first omega in space”; but this watch is made of 18K Sedna gold. It is based on the one worn by astronaut Walter Schirra on the 1962 Sigma 7 mission to mercury, during which he orbited earth six times.
The updated design has brown polished ceramic ring and matte chromium-nitride tachymeter scales, as well as brown PVD subdial and ivory silver central dial. The base cover is engraved with “winner of the STEPHEN HAWKING medal for science communication” and laser engraving of the medal itself, which depicts the Starmus logo, images of Alexei Leonov on the first human space walk, and “Red Special” guitar queen Brian may.
Aldrin’s replica watch presented a special lifetime achievement award as a breakthrough astronaut and longtime omega brand ambassador. Mr Musk’s medal and watches (which he did not receive in person in Zurich) are being awarded to him for “his achievements in space travel and human beings”.
“It’s an honor to be among the most prominent members of the scientific community,” Aeschlimann said at the event.”I know that these winners do deserve medals, and they all show a great commitment to human understanding and progress. Omega has its own history and future in space, so we are delighted to join the celebration and share this common pursuit of excellence.”

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We mainly shared the points of the replica Speedy Tuesday in the past. But today we make an exception, as we were invited to join the Omega Speedmaster Event in London, with Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin, former NASA’s engineer James H. Ragan who was responsible for testing and choosing the Speedmaster and actor George Clooney, a long-time space and Speedmaster fan.
I would say frankly that I love the Speedmaster. I’ve told this many times before, but the Speedmaster is the model that got me into watches in general and one that I collect myself. A love that resulted in starting the Speedy Tuesday feature and has been celebrated with its own limited edition watch for its 5th anniversary. Therefore, I was very happy to receive an invitation from Raynald Aeschlimann (CEO and President of Omega) to join their Speedmaster event in London, to celebrate the 60th birthday of this iconic chronograph.
We arrived in London last Tuesday, but other than a wonderful diner in one of London’s fine restaurants, there was not really a program. When I was going to meet up with a few people in the lobby of the hotel, I found myself in the elevator with Buzz Aldrin and his manager (Mission Control Director as she likes to call herself). Surreal, to say the last. Anyway, the program for the Speedmaster Event started on Wednesday morning.
Below, some close-ups of the first three references mentioned. The replica Omega Speedmaster, the first Speedmaster ever, designed by Pierre Moinat. And it was the second generation of Speedmaster watches featuring a black bezel and Alpha-hands. Third, the other replica model, introduced in 1964 with its white baton hands and actually the watch that was tested by NASA for the Apollo program.
Other fake watches that were brought to the table were the Speedmaster Professional with caliber 861 that was used by Apollo 17 astronaut Ron Evans. He didn’t wear the watch, but he attached it to one of the control panels of the Command Module to do some tests. It       wasn’t an approved or certified watch for Extra-Vehicular Actitivies. It wasn’t until 1978 that the replica that model was certified for use in space during EVA.
One of the part that most guests were looking forward to, was the interview with Apollo XI astronaut Buzz Aldrin. On July 21st 1969, he sat foot on the Moon together with astronaut Neil Armstrong. Buzz Aldrin was accompanied by his manager who also did the talk with him during the interview. We were shown some incredible cool images (mainly from NASA) and Buzz commented on them to tell us what happened there, or what we were looking at exactly. Very interesting to hear his comments next to some of the famous photographs we all know (of Buzz Aldrin on the Moon, in the Lunar Module, his footprint). At the end, there was some time to ask Buzz Aldrin a couple of questions. The significance of the watch and the future of space exploration were things he elaborated on.