Omega alaska project

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Lucky for me, I was able to get the last unsold new one here in the US that Omega had. Omega still produces Speedmaster Moonwatch models very much like those that went to the moon during the Apollo missions on the wrists of NASA astronauts in the s. All I can do is add my own thoughts and experience with Omega Speedmaster watch models. The model combines elements from these both. The coolest among these original Alaska Project watches were produced as five prototype watches at the request of NASA who wanted an even beefier timepiece for use in space. NASA was also planning a never to be realized mission to the dark side of the moon where temperatures are much cooler. The watch was developed with an optional red aluminum housing that was meant to offer the watch additional shielding from high and low temperature extremes as the story goes.

Omega alaska project

Limited to pieces, this now iconic Speedmaster is named after Omega's secret watch development program called The Alaska Project. The program aimed at improving, among other watches, the Speedmaster's readiness to space exploration. In particular, the watch's ability to withstand extreme temperatures. The original prototypes of the Alaska project were produced in the early seventies and are remarkably close to the re-edition shown here. NASA astronauts could encounter extreme temperatures as they embarked on space journeys, and despite the fact the Speedmaster had already been approved for these temperatures, Omega wanted to see if they could make it even better. Looking purely at the fact and figures, it is safe to say that they did. They fitted a Speedmaster with a white dial to help reflect heat and created a purpose-built removable anodized aluminum outer case to act as a heat shield. This meant that the watch could now function in temperatures ranging from minus degrees Celsius to plus degrees Celsius. To make the watch more readable, it was fitted with rocket-shaped sub-second hands and a small line of luminous paint to be read in the dark. All of these were fantastic improvements to an already great watch. But that was in itself the problem for NASA. They already had a great watch approved for space flight and weren't interested in switching to this new and improved version.

What about pre-orders? In most ways, though, the Alaska 1 is a completely different animal.

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The upcoming auction season has some pretty spectacular things on offer — none more so than the stainless steel at Phillips. The auction house has a bunch of other super high-end, super fancy stuff on offer too, like a Tiffany-signed Rolex , a Cartier-signed Patek , and some other steel Pateks and mega Rolex. It's a good catalog. However, when I look at the Phillips sale, the two pieces that stand out to me might not strike your fancy immediately — but trust me, they're absolutely spectacular watches, both bordering on the almost unique category, with a ton of aesthetic charm. Oh, and they both happen to be Omegas. As I've said recently, you kinda have to love the Speedmaster Professional. But if you want to go H. These six figure pieces are, naturally, the first series reference pieces.

Omega alaska project

The Omega watch known as the Alaska Project was originally developed as one of several efforts made by Omega to introduce a version of the Speedmaster built specifically with support for manned space flight in mind. As we all know, the original Speedmaster was never designed for use in space, and especially not for one of the roles in which it became most famous: as a watch to be worn during EVA that is, on the outside of a suit during a spacewalk, or during work on the lunar surface. This version had a zinc coated dial, high visibility hands for the minute and hour registers, and most conspicuously, a very large red anodized aluminum outer shroud, designed to protect the watch from excess heat. It was long thought that these watches were never actually used in manned space flight and as far as we know, this is certainly true of the US space program; apparently, NASA never took the project beyond the prototyping stage, and never tested the Alaska Project watches in a spacecraft, or during EVAs. However, the Omega-focused Tumblr known as Moonwatchuniverse, has run across what seems incontrovertible photographic evidence that in fact, at least two Alaska Project watches were used: on Soyuz 25, which in became the first Soviet spacecraft to attempt to dock with the newest Soviet space station, Salyut 6. Though little remembered today, Salyut 6 was revolutionary for its time and orbited the Earth from late through July , when it was de-orbited and as planned, burned up during reentry into the Earth's atmosphere.

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All Watches. They already had a great watch approved for space flight and weren't interested in switching to this new and improved version. The coolest among these original Alaska Project watches were produced as five prototype watches at the request of NASA who wanted an even beefier timepiece for use in space. The original prototypes of the Alaska project were produced in the early seventies and are remarkably close to the re-edition shown here. It was also larger, at 44mm, cushion-shaped, and wildly asymmetric on the back. The cumulative elapsed minutes and hours of the chronograph complication are indicated by unique funnel-shaped markers, in red, which evoke the silhouette of the Command Module — Launch Escape System portion of the Apollo spacecraft stack. This watch is in fantastic condition and hardly shows any wear. The red color was also chosen for specific reason — related to either ambient radiation or protection against sunlight. The watch was developed with an optional red aluminum housing that was meant to offer the watch additional shielding from high and low temperature extremes as the story goes. This was a very rare addition to a limited edition Omega watch, in that there was a specially designed accessory to go with it aside from the watch case, straps, and tools. All of these were fantastic improvements to an already great watch. Shipping is calculated at checkout after you enter your address. Black Luminova 1. Omega introduced a re-issue not as a limited edition of the Speedmaster Mark II back in aBlogtoWatch review here , and ironically, that is another modern Speedmaster watch that is part of my collection.

Omega Ref. An extremely rare, important, and highly attractive prototype stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with radial dial, made for NASA,

Where can I find my invoice? But Omega did not hesitate to pivot and expand upon the reputational benefits from serving in outer space. During this era Omega decided to develop a watch purpose-built for the environment of space and emerging lunar mission requirements. Search Return. Omega also supplied a nifty white-colored and nicely branded white Velcro strap in addition to the standard steel Speedmaster bracelet with the Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Alaska Project. The round pushers are unguarded while the crown is guarded by a recess sunk into the case. NASA never formally procured the Alaska Project references and these watches did not progress beyond prototyping. But that was in itself the problem for NASA. Shipping is calculated at checkout after you enter your address. How is my order shipped? All of these were fantastic improvements to an already great watch. Some of the stickers are still on the watch. For the original Alaska Project watches, Omega developed a pusher system in the aluminum doughnut housing which allowed for the chronograph to be operated with it on. Visit Europeanwatch. International shipments may be subject to import fees upon arrival in the destination country.