buzz aldrin Archives - The Watch-Collector Leeds

Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch 3570.50.00

Posted 01/08/201703/28/2018 The W-C

As the title says following are recent blogs of the SpeedMaster Moon watch, this is the modern version of the moonwatch st 145.022 it has not changed much since the previous model st145.022. They has been a few subtle changes the dial is luminova rather than aged tritium dials which started around late 90s. The bracelet has been updated to modern style and feel with brushed and polished finish and a lot more robust. The movement has been updated from Cal 861 to 1861 not sure what they did more than likely a slight modification on the Cal 861 which has been in moon watches for over 20 years.

The look is still the same with hesalite crystal and tachymetre bezel also the caseback is the same as previous model st 145.022, the changes overhaul are very minor, the biggest change is the look modern or vintage which just comes down to taste personally vintage look for me always. The luminova dials glow really bright in the dark as the vintage stuff does not glow at all as tritium loses its luminosity the longer it ages.

There is actually an newer version to this model, made a few years back only difference is they gave this a new model number and updated the bracelet with screws and a pins instead of the pin and tube just to make it easy to remove links and possibly less chance of age related stretch. However they added a huge briefcase style box that weighs a ton and bumped the price up to £3390 from around £2700 but the actual watch head stayed the same.

If your are looking for a modern speedmaster moonwatch this is the one to buy 3570.50.00 if you want a vintage moonwatch then look for the st 145.022 as prices are still good and not gone crazy yet. The earlier moon watches are stupid crazy money and hard to find.

Omega Moonwatch Moonphase ST345.0809

Posted 12/30/2016 The W-C

This is the first Omega speedmaster Professional Moonwatch Moonphase 1985 made in limited numbers 1300 in total so makes these model very hard to find and very special these days. The Moonphase reference is ST345.0809 and it based on the standard moonwatch but with a calibre 866 and nowadays is calibre 1866 after a upgrade in 1990,s which is basically a calibre 861 with a moonphase / date module added.

This model has a clear clean caseback with the seamaster logo in the middle like many of the other seamaster models. The moonphase does not have the “first watch worn on the moon” engraved or a fancy limited edition caseback as most moon watches do have either. The moonphase was re-introduced around 1999 but with a few upgrades luminova hour markers on the dial not tritium and a modern speedmaster bracelet instead of the vintage 1450 bracelet also they used a modern tachymeter bezel with slight change with a modern font.

I have owned the new and the old moonphase and the vintage one is far better tritium dial lovely patina, and can see this being the one to have as been made in such small numbers, I think a lot of watch brands made watches in the 70,s and 80,s and never realized how nice and stunning they would be in the future.

The speedmaster will always be a loved watch by many collectors and enthusiasts and something will always go down in history as first watch watch on the the moon although there was rumors that Buzz Aldrin did have a Rolex Gmtmaster on his wrist as well as the moonwatch when on the moon, but Rolex was not bothered for the lime light.

“Speedmaster Tuesday” Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch 3569.31.00

Posted 12/27/2016 The W-C

As the title says “Speedy Tuesday” this one of the many Limited Editions Omega made which is probably in the 1000s, The Moonwatch has always been a favorite of mine does not get much better in conversation as “The first watch worn on the Moon.” This particular model the Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Apollo II 35th Anniversary was made around 2004 and limited to 3500 pieces and is the standard moonwatch 42mm with the hesalite crystal and Calibre 1861 movement which is slight update of the 861 movement that they put in the original moonwatch.

The apollo II is a cracking looking piece which I think will be a future collector’s “got to have piece”, as the watch has some very nice touches that most speedy fans will like:

firstly the Panda Dial silver dial black subdials always goes down well in any watch.

2nd. The applied Metal Omega Logo as the first pre moon watches that date pre 1969 hence “pre moon” had the applied logo then after the dials all made with the painted logo in white. The caseback not to shabby either all together a very nice piece that is modern with a few twists from the old Moonwatch.

3rd Th red writing on the landing 20 July 1969 all in all works well.

The apollo Limited edition were made every 5 years from the first moon landing on 20 July 1969 to commemorate the landing and I think this definitely one to have in the apollo II editions. To be fair all moonwatch are great pieces in general well respected watches that loved by millions if you like winding them up every 48 hours. If you get the chance to purchase one do not hesitate in purchasing there getting harder to find.

The Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch “AKA Snoopy”

Posted 05/28/201608/01/2017 The W-C

Here we have the ultimate new edition launched at basel 2015 by Omega, The Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch “Snoopy” limited Edition to 1970 pieces in total. Everyone seems to want one but they sold in pre orders in minutes when the launched the snoopy.

This particular snoopy is a updated version the original snoopy launched 2003 to commemorate the apollo mission in 1970 which is a standard moonwatch with a snoopy caseback and picture of snoopy at 9 o clock and they made just over 5000 pieces.

The snoopy old and new have become very sort after for collectors the new one doubled in price the day people started to get them delivered current prices range for £8500 to £14000 pounds, the Rrp was £4630 seems crazy I know. The new version has a Ceramic bezel with Sapphire anti glare glass not hesalite like the old snoopy, the movement is the manual wind 1862 cal that been used for years by Omega. The case size is slightly bigger by 2mm which all the new moon watches have grown in size.

They have kept the tachymetre the same and used super luminova on the dial to glow in the dark and comes on a nylon coated strap with deployment strap, not sure why Omega did not use a bracelet like or give you the option. But overall a cracking piece by Omega that I am sure will be much loved in the years sadly this one is not mine but a fellow collectors.