Swiss horological experts, Omega, have relaunched one of their most sought-after timepieces that began their association with spaceflight more than 60 years ago. The Omega CK 2998 is the second-generation Speedmaster, and gained attention when NASA astronaut purchased one for his personal collection and wore it onboard the “Sigma 7: Mercury Mission.”
Over the years, the CK 2998 has become one of their most popular and iconic timepieces. The Speedmaster CK 2998 was given the name ‘The First Omega in Space’ and soon became the official wristwatch of the U.S Space program. Even today, the Speedmaster is known to be the official partner for space exploration in the U.S.
In this article, we will be exploring the world of Omega’s Speedmaster and just why the U.S Space program, NASA continue to use Omega timepieces in their everyday lives even now.
A Brief History of Omega
Founded in 1848, Omega have been synonymous with precision, innovation and luxury. As one of Switzerland’s first industrial manufacturers of wristwatches, the brand’s reputation has grown into one of the leading Swiss horological experts.
The first years of Omega’s founding was extremely influential for their future. Pioneered by young watchmaker, Louis Brandt, timepieces were originally key-wound pocket watches, crafted from materials sourced from local craftsmen. Following Brandt’s passing in 1879, his sons, Louis-Paul and César Brandt helped to introduce the Omega 19-ligne calibre.
From then, the brand consistently pushed the boundaries of watchmaking. New technological advancements helped to set notable milestones like becoming the official timekeeper of the Olympic Games in 1932 and breaking world records with the Omega Seamaster reaching the deepest point of the ocean.
Today, Omega have imprinted their mark on the Swiss horological industry as leading the way for innovation and breaking boundaries. With collections like the Seamaster gaining attention from Hollywood to the revival of the Railmaster, Omega create timepieces that avid collectors long for.
Omega 1962 - Sigma 7 and Wally Schirra
In 1962, the Sigma 7: Mercury Mission is named as the flight that took the speedmaster to new heights. The main objective for the flight was to evaluate the performance of the man-spacecraft system in a six-pass orbital mission. As the third manned orbital flight of the Mercury program, it became America’s then-longest spaceflight totaling a weightless time of 9 hours, 13 minutes and 11 seconds.
Prior to the flight, astronaut Schirra underwent intensive tests and environments to ensure he was fit for space-travel, as did his Omega Speedmaster.
A personal preference to his timepiece, Schirra chose the Speedmaster CK 2998 to accompany him on his Sigma 7: Mercury flight. The success of the Speedmaster opened the doors for Omega to become the official watch of the U.S Space program, NASA.
1965 - Qualified by NASA
As part of a rapidly accelerating space program, Omega was one out of four watch brands that had been invited to submit timepieces for the NASA qualification.
Here, all the submitted timepieces were tested to their limits. These tests were designed to simulate the extreme conditions of space, included high and low temperatures, vacuum, humidity, corrosion, shock, acceleration, pressure, vibration, and sound tests. Three out of four of the watch submissions were destroyed during the tests.
It was the Omega Speedmaster that survived all of the NASA tests and became qualified for all manned space missions and Extravehicular Activity (EVA).
Related: The Dark Side of the Moon
1969 - The Space Race: Buzz Aldrin’s Speedmaster
Schirra is not the only one to have sported an Omega during a space flight. Famous Moonwalker Buzz Aldrin wore the Omega Speedmaster professional whilst taking the first steps on the surface of the moon in 1969.
The impact of the relationship between NASA and Omega has been incredible, from many avid timepiece collectors desiring the First Omega in Space anniversary edition watch to the expansion of the official Speedmaster Moonwatch Co-Axial Master Chronometer Chronograph.
The Materials of the First Omega in Space
Due to the extreme conditions and intense environments that the Omega Speedmaster had faced in the many tests from NASA to gain its NASA qualification, one major change was made to the Speedmaster to ensure wearer safety and avoid any potential issues on launch or when moving around the spacecraft.
Introducing, Hesalite. Hesalite crystal replaced the sapphire crystal on these Speedmasters due to it’s lack of shatter. Even though sapphire has a hardness of 9.0, the heads of NASA did not want to take the risk of a potential sapphire shatter in space. Instead, Hesalite would crack, not shatter.
What is Hesalite?
Hesalite crystal is made from polymethyl methacrylate, an advanced form of acrylic with transparent plastic. This is not uncommon for timepieces that undergo a situation of activity. Not only providing a lighter feeling on the wrist, the Hesalite crystal is much more break-resisitant than mineral and sapphire glass.
Hesalite also does not reflect any light and, unlike sapphire crystals, it does not need an anti-reflective coating. Depending on your personal style, you may prefer this vintage-esque look.
What we appreciate about the Omega Speedmaster
The beauty of the Omega timepieces is not just in their looks, but also their innovation and legacy. The Speedmaster ‘First Omega in Space’ features a Hesalite crystal rather than the usual sapphire crystal on the time piece, which is more like the crystal on the watch worn by Schirra and Aldrin on their space missions.
The Omega Speedmaster Anniversary Series also features the famous Seahorse medallion and the engravings “THE FIRST OMEGA IN SPACE” and “OCTOBER 3, 1962”, the date that Schirra began his mission for Sigma 7: Mercury. It is these finer details that makes us truly appreciate the detailing of these timepieces.
The Speedmaster at Michael Spiers
The Swiss horological experts have continued to push boundaries for their timepieces over the years. With intensive testing for the durability and longevity of their watches, Omega have consistently innovated to craft timepieces that impress.
At Michael Spiers, we are proud to offer a wide range of special timepieces from Omega. Whether you are looking for a limited edition Anniversary watch or something for your everyday, we can help you.
If you would like to explore more about the world of Omega, we invite you to our showrooms in Truro, Plymouth and Exeter where our friendly teams can help you find a piece that is perfect for you.
