The 40th Anniversary Apollo XI unveiled pre-Basel

[jmsrolls]

Omega Press Release:

APOLLO 11 “40TH ANNIVERSARY” LIMITED EDITION

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.

I spoke with my AD today and there is no word yet regarding availability or price.

Fr. John†

[DSJ]

That's pretty neat - reminds me of the back of a Bicentennial Eisenhower dollar.

[karmatp]

Pretty cool. I wonder if it has the clear caseback?

[Lowflight]

Nice...but I want to see the logo on the back and would like for them to remove the Red Writing

[jmsrolls]

Originally Posted by karmatp

Pretty cool. I wonder if it has the clear caseback?

No, as the release says:

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.

This was the most interesting statement to me:

The stainless steel casebody is delivered with a stainless steel bracelet which has been upgraded to include OMEGA’s patented screw and pin system.

As one who has struggled over the years removing and reinserting pins to adjust Omega bracelets, I gotta see this.

Fr. John†

[bodybump]

Wow thats pretty slick!!!

[B Square]

Outstanding

[teacard]

I wonder why they didn't opt for the applied logo?

[teacard]

Is a Bicentennial Eisenhower dollar one of those thats worth nearly the same as an English pound?

[Woody]

Well it is just my opinion but I think it looks terrible - a good example of how to take a classic design and in just a few easy steps to completely ruin it.

The red writing is OK but the sub-dial??????? this will be another Omega that sits in ADs windows for year after year.....probably next to that horrific version they did with the planets on the sub-dials.

[jas55]

Wow cool, kind of looks the same as the other one's though

[Tools]

Interesting.... nice looking watch.

I'm not a big Omega LE fan, exept for the Speedy Patch which commemorated 50 years for the actualy watch........

I am with you though.... the new bracelet "screw and pin" system is something to take a look at....

[jmsrolls]

Larry,

This is the only hint I have:

Fr. John†

[swissautopro]

Hmmm ... I don't know about this one. I think it would have been better to make the commemorative subdial the caseback, and do something different with the dial. Maybe some red hands (other than the second hand). Something to make it stand out, but not something that looks like you picked it up from the Franklin Mint. Just my

[Goodwatch]

I like the Speedy Pro very much, the pre-moon version even more. But with all due respect, Omega are milking this at nausea. The last version that was palatable was the 25th Anniversary Edition. What will be next? A 45th, a 50th?

If you are a collector who specialises in special editions I think it is worth considering but I would not buy it. Step by step they are dismantling the original Speedy Pro. The connection with 'the moon watch' is all but gone.

What I would do is re-issue the exact watch that was used in the Apollo missions and present that as an anniversary watch.

[jmsrolls]

Originally Posted by Goodwatch

What will be next? A 45th, a 50th?

You got it! That's why I steer clear of the anniversary editions and wear the original model worn by Apollo moonwalkers - an "Anniversary Zero" edition.

Originally Posted by Goodwatch

What I would do is re-issue the exact watch that was used in the Apollo missions and present that as an anniversary watch.

Some were hoping for a "re-issue" of the original Speedmaster on it's 50th and that did not happen. Chances of a 105.012 "re-issue" are likewise doubtful.

Fr. John†

[Goodwatch]

Originally Posted by jmsrolls

You got it! That's why I steer clear of the anniversary editions and wear the original model worn by Apollo moonwalkers - an "Anniversary Zero" edition.



Some were hoping for a "re-issue" of the original Speedmaster on it's 50th and that did not happen. Chances of a 105.012 "re-issue" are likewise doubtful.

Fr. John†

When we all saw the Sub anniversary coming I wrote Rolex SA a letter with the proposal to do a first Sub re-edition. The letter was never answered and although I still find this idea very entertaining this is something Rolex do not and will never do. They don't dust off older models, like many other manufacturers do. I understand their stance on this but still I would like to see that first Sub (with a modern movement inside)

[WJGESQ]

Originally Posted by Goodwatch

I like the Speedy Pro very much, the pre-moon version even more. But with all due respect, Omega are milking this at nausea. The last version that was palatable was the 25th Anniversary Edition. What will be next? A 45th, a 50th?

If you are a collector who specialises in special editions I think it is worth considering but I would not buy it. Step by step they are dismantling the original Speedy Pro. The connection with 'the moon watch' is all but gone.

What I would do is re-issue the exact watch that was used in the Apollo missions and present that as an anniversary watch.

This is an attractive watch. Those little changes attract attention back to the brand and back to the model. An entirely red second hand or sub dials might have made it pop a little more though.

[Lol-x]

Well I guess we would all like to have the original, but this isn't possible.

I agree with Frans, Rolex doesn't seem to want to re-release a model that is a hommage of the original version. Take for example the Milgauss, the GV is a very different watch than the original version Milgauss in appearance. Perhaps the only similarities are: 1) The lightning bolt hand 2) the oyster case and 3) the oyster bracelet.

Anyway, each to their own, Omega does seem to provide more for their 'enthusiasts' in the way of heritage models that is for sure.

JLC released the Polaris recently, and it looked basically the same as the one they released decades ago, so it is becoming more of a happening thing.

Who knows in 10 years from now maybe attitudes at Rolex will change. Maybe not.

[stusrt]

hell,
I'm still trying to buy the APOLLO 11 “35TH ANNIVERSARY” LIMITED EDITION
it's white and more along the traditional speedmaster size.

do you think omega figures they can sell about 6,000 of these. So they make it limited to 7,969 hoping to increase sales?

8,000 is not very limited, I'm tired of Omega and everyone else trying to pull that BS

when they release something of 50 or 100 pieces, then I'll be excited!!!

[JJ Irani]

Beautiful looking watch. High time OMEGA began to introduce the screw pins right through their entire range.

JJ

[bradg]

Fr. John, your killin me...that could be the next one I need

[C. Davidson]

Cool looking Omega, thanks for sharing. Great pics too, especially like the silver medallion on the dial.

[cody p]

like some of the others have said, that minute hand sub-dial lacks appeal. Omega really does way too many special editions for my tastes. it's the originals that attract me, not the special editions.

[Daytonaboy1977]

Nice looking watch but IMO I think Omega are just going mad on any limited edition line possible to make people think it's going to retain value thus increasing their own sales. I wear as a day to day watch Planet Ocean chronograph. Truly great looking timepiece - it didn't need to be a limited edition for me to buy it though. I would have thought it would have been wise to wait till the 50 year anniversary and that would be more appropriate and it would give more time between the anniversary models. I can only imagine the people who bought the 35 year anniversary watch are slightly pig sick!!!

[jmsrolls]

Omega began rolling out the "not-so-limited" Apollo XI Anniversary editions at 10 years, then 20, then 30 followed by the 35th and now 40th. Based on this, we can anticipate a 45th arriving before a 50th along with various non-Apollo XI "special" editions such as occurred with the moon-to-Mars, "Ed White", Snoopy, Alaska Project, etc. With the NASA, Bond, and Olympic connections, Omega marketing has lots of opportunities.

Since only around 40,000 cal. 321 Lemania movements were ever produced, I am beginning to consider my 105.012 to be a limited edition by Omega standards.

Fr. John†

[Omega_Precision]

It's ok-looking.....

I have seen better Speedy limited edtions from Omega that I would take over this one....

[hflee55]

pretty cool

[breitfuture1776]

This is very nice, I have met Buzz a few times and my wife works with him on some space related activities, hopefully ill get to look at the one given to him and maybe get my own. Hoping its not priced too high!. Ill try to find out what Omega had to do to get him to work with them again, some issues in the past was my understanding.

[Perdu]

Personally I think it looks really sharp but I agree Omega over do the whole LE thing. Still, I'd own one in a heartbeat.