The MoonSwatch 1965 pays tribute to the 60th anniversary of the spaceflight qualification obtained by the Omega Speedmaster.
The new Omega X Swatch MoonSwatch 1965 is a tribute to a historic moment in watchmaking: the 60th anniversary of the spaceflight qualification obtained by the Omega Speedmaster in 1965. This special version of the MoonSwatch (produced in a non-limited edition) is the result of a collaboration between Omega and Swatch, will be available from 1 March, a date that exactly coincides with the anniversary of the historic 1965 NASA certification.
In 1965, NASA was looking for a reliable watch for its space missions, in particular for the Apollo programme. After a strict selection process involving several brands, only the Omega Speedmaster with Ref. ST105.003 of 1964 passed all eleven stringent tests, earning official qualification for manned space missions.
These tests included exposure to extreme temperatures, vacuum (watch heated in a vacuum chamber and then cooled to -18°C for several cycles), humidity, shock, acceleration, vibration and pressure. The Omega Speedmaster was distinguished by 'superior precision, reliability, readability and ease of use' and became the only watch certified for space missions.
MoonSwatch 1965: homage to space missions
This new MoonSwatch has many of the visual characteristics of the Speedmaster tested by Nasa in 1965.
The 1965 Moonswatch features several visual characteristics of the Speedmaster tested sixty years ago by NASA. These include the Omega logo (at 12 o'clock on the dial) used at the time (also present on the strap and crown); the hands and the character of the inscriptions, which echo the style of the original watch, giving its modern version a fascinating vintage touch.
Other features reminiscent of the original model are the asymmetrical case, the famous 'dot over ninety' tachymeter scale and the characteristic Speedmaster counters. However, this new MoonSwatch also has other surprises in store. The dial, for example, recalls the Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional with white dial launched in March last year (Ref. 310.30.42.50.04.001).
MoonSwatch 1965: Beware of additional counters
The chrono hour counter goes up to 19 (instead of the usual 10), and the chrono minute counter goes up to 65 (instead of the usual 60).
The most striking feature, however, are the additional counters at 2 and 10 o'clock. The one at 2, reserved for the chrono minutes, indicates up to 65 minutes (instead of the classic 60), while the one at 10, for the chrono hours, indicates up to 19 hours (instead of the classic 10). This is because, in the dark, the digits '19' and '65' light up blue, thus forming the number '1965', i.e. the year in which the Speedmaster qualified for flight by NASA.
In addition, the hand of the chrono hour counter at 10 o'clock and the chrono minute counter at 2 o'clock make a 'lap of honour' (as defined by the manufacturer) at the end of the 64th minute. This means that the chronograph hour counter at 10 o'clock rotates once and indicates an hour (or rather, an extra hour), while the chronograph minute counter at 2 o'clock rotates once and indicates the fifth minute over 60. The numeral '60' on the chrono seconds counter (at 6 o'clock) also lights up blue in the dark, in honour of the 60th anniversary of the fitness certification issued by NASA.
The MoonSwatch 1965 employs a grey Bioceramic case with a diameter of 42 mm and a thickness of 13.25 mm, combined with a Velcro strap, also grey. The domed glass protecting the dial is made of biosourced material with a scratch-resistant coating, and features an 'S' engraved in the centre, in reference to the Swatch logo. The movement is quartz, water resistance is guaranteed up to a pressure of 3 atmospheres.
Price275 euros.
