Spacewalk and Moonwalk

Omega’s release of the Speedmaster Moonwatch 321 in 2020 revived a true legend. The new model, including its movement, is a replica of the Speedmaster Ref. 105.003 that Ed White wore on the first American spacewalk in 1965 and Gene Cernan on the last moonwalk in 1972.

- Alexander Krupp

OMEGA

The Bienne-based brand is known to many for its famous wearers such as the Apollo astronauts, George Clooney and actors in the role of James Bond. In addition, perhaps more than any other brand, Omega has brought technically meaningful innovations into almost its entire collection while simultaneously remaining affordable. In nearly all models (with the exception of some Moon watches like the new edition of a historical model tested here), Omega’s co-axial escapement improves the accuracy of the rate and an intelligent mix of materials protects the movement against extremely strong magnetic fields.

CALIBER 321

In 1930, the Omega and Tissot watch brands merged to form the SSIH (Société Suisse pour L’Industrie Horlogère). The Lemania movement manufacturer joined them two years later. In 1942, the group presented newly designed hand-wound Caliber 27 CHRO, which was encased in two versions: 17p has two subdials and C12p has three. After improving a few details, Omega began installing Caliber 27 CHRO C12p under the name Caliber 321 in 1949. This caliber powered the Speedmaster References 105.003, 105.012 and 145.012 until 1968. All three watches — and only these three — were worn during the six moon landings.

On June 3, 1965, U.S. astronaut Ed White ventured out of his space capsule during the Gemini 4 mission (see photo on opening page). In his right hand, he held a maneuvering device with an oxygen nozzle, which he used three times to propel himself to the end of his eight-meter-long tether. After expending the last remaining oxygen in the control device, he had to pull himself back into the capsule hand over hand along the lifeline.