The Omega Speedmaster

As a result of this replica omega Speedmaster Broad Arrow decided to add the word ��Professional�� to the Speedmaster making it the Omega Speedmaster Professional, it also got the 145.012 reference number.

In 1968 cal. 861 also produced by Lemania replaced the cal.321 movement. The cal. 861 was not only a more accurate movement but also cheaper to produce. This movement is still being used in the current line of http://www.speedroc.com/replica-omega-seamaster-300m-chronograph.html Speedmaster Professionals. The movement was a bit more accurate with a frequency of 21600A/h instead of 18000A/h.

Omega Speedmaster: The Moon watch
On 21 July 1969, the replica omega Speedmaster Broad Arrow GMT Speedmaster Professional worn by Buzz Aldrin was the first watch to be worn on the moon. For safety, Neil Armstrong had left his Speedmaster in the lunar module as a clock-replacement. It was an Omega Speedmaster Professional with a cal. 321 movement, sadly a few months later Buzz��s watch was stolen and never returned.

The Speedmasters position as the definitive space watch was further enhanced with the next event easily recognised by the phrase: ��Houston, we have a problem.�� During the Apollo 13 mission (April 1970), an explosion damaged the main source of energy, forcing astronauts to turn off all electrical instruments with the exception of the radio in order to conserve the energy required for their maneuvers return to earth.

Thus the Omega Speedmaster Professional was used to time these critical rocket burns and aid in the successful return to earth. In recognition of the crucial role played by the Speedmaster Professional in the rescue of the crew of Apollo 13, NASA honored Omega with the coveted Snoopy Award.

Other brands have tried several times to certify their chronographs by NASA. Each time, the Omega Speedmaster Professional has surpassed all its competitors, and each time NASA has confirmed its original decision, retaining the Omega Speedmaster Professional for all of its manned missions. Selected for the first time by NASA in 1965, the Speedmaster was chosen in 1972 and 1978 for the missions of the space shuttle again.

In 1978 the Speedmaster was released with a caseback engraved with ��Flight Qualified by NASA for all manned space missions �C The first watch worn on the moon��. In fact since the first marketed Omega Speedmaster in 1957 Omega has produced approximately 1.8 million of them, with manual, automatic or quartz movements. There have also been more than 250 variants of the Speedmaster to have been created since the first in 1957, with a large range of movements, functions and case materials.

Indeed this year saw the launch of yet another variant, the Omega Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon which features a dial made from black zirconium oxide ceramic. There will doubtless be many more variations of this legendary wach to come in the future too.