The Swiss watchmaker has made the Speedmaster Moonwatch “Apollo 15″ 40th Anniversary Limited Edition to commemorate the fourth of NASA’s six missions on the Moon. These Omega timepieces are classic Moonwatches, with some distinguished features, which make them unique in the Speedmaster Professional line. Omega limited this edition to 1,971 pieces.
Apollo 15 that had lasted from July 26 to August 7, 1971, deserves the commemorative edition, because it was the first NASA’s mission with a long-time stay on the lunar surface. Besides, the Lunar Roving Vehicle was used for the first time and finally, it was the mission with a greater focus on science than ever before.
The Speedmaster Moonwatch “Apollo 15″ 40th Anniversary Limited Edition is a classic timepiece from the Omega’s iconic line. It features a case and a bracelet made of polished and brushed stainless steel, as well as a bezel with a black aluminum ring and a tachymeter scale. A black dial comes with three sub-dials – the 12-hour counter is located at the 6 o’clock position, the 30-minute counter is at the 3 o’clock position, while the small seconds counter takes the 9 o’clock position. The dial is protected with a domed shatterproof hesalite crystal, with Ω etched inside.
This new timepiece is powered by the iconic Caliber 1861 chronograph movement. The same type of a hand-winding mechanism had beaten inside the legendary Speedmaster Professional (worn by Buzz Aldrin, during the Apollo 11 Lunar mission). This great movement has a power-reserve of 50 hours, comprises 17 jewels and oscillates at the frequency of 21,600 vibrations per hour.
This Limited Edition is characteristic by its striking minute track that comes in three colors - blue, white and red – which are colors of the Apollo 15 patch. Also, the small seconds sub-dial is framed by a blue ring, while white and red rings go around chrono sub-dials.
The image of the Lunar Rover, with words “APOLLO 15″ and “40th ANNIVERSARY”, is engraved on the central part of a screw-in caseback, while its black chrome outer rim has inscriptions: “THE FIRST WATCH WORN ON THE MOON”, “JULY 30, 1971″, and the limited edition number.