Spacewalk and Moonwalk: Reviewing the Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch 321
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.
On June 3, 1965, U.S. astronaut Ed White ventured out of his space capsule during the Gemini 4 mission (see photo above). 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.
Over the left sleeve of his spacesuit, White wore an Omega Speedmaster Ref. 105.003 attached to an extra-long Velcro textile strap. This model was produced from 1964 to 1969 and was powered by Omega?s hand-wound Caliber 321 Ref. 105.012. This is the same movement that ticked inside the watch on Buzz Aldrin?s wrist during the first moon landing in 1969. A few minutes earlier, Neil Armstrong became the first person to walk on the moon, but he left his Speedmaster behind in the lunar lander because the vessel?s onboard electronic clock had malfunctioned.
During the six (successful) lunar landings that took place between 1969 and 1972, only three Speedmaster references were worn on the moon, and Caliber 321 powered all of them. Technically modified follow-up Caliber 861 premiered in 1...
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