Reply With QuoteDon't forget all the Russian stuff! Gagarin's Sturmanskie and Leonov's Strela being the 2 most well known:
More Russian watch space things here: https://www.netgrafik.ch/russian_space_watches.htm
Having just bought a vintage Sinn 140/142, I’m getting an appetite at building up a collection of significant space watches.
I also own a 1970 omega speedmaster, and a Seiko 6139 Pogue.
What other space watches are worth purchasing - please put up links/images and any history relevant to the watch :)
Don't forget all the Russian stuff! Gagarin's Sturmanskie and Leonov's Strela being the 2 most well known:
More Russian watch space things here: https://www.netgrafik.ch/russian_space_watches.htm
Don't just do something, sit there. - TNH
Off the top of my head I would say:
The Fortis B42 or Cosmonaut
The Breitling Cosmonaute
Glycine Airman
There are a few GShocks as well
David Scott took a Bulova prototype up on the Apollo 15, now the Lunar. It's quartz though so's got no soul :)
Most modern day astronauts use G-Shocks don't they?
Yep - a nice Fortis would be a nice addition !Originally Posted by Sinnlover
The 'reissue' has far too little in common with the Bulova 88510/01 that Dave Scott wore on the lunar surface.
Don't just do something, sit there. - TNH
What about the Omega X-33? Space pedigree as long as your arm, super accurate, and packed with genuinely useful features.
Agree - nice watch
Gerlach Kosmonauta reissue - yours for £250
So many different watches have served the varied purposes of those who have left the atmosphere that there are now very many different interesting options.
Kicking off with the Russians, this was the first watch in space. The Pobeda 34-K which went up on Korabl-Sputnik 4 on March 9th, 1961 with Chernushka.
Sturmanskies were next into orbit, famously worn by the early cosmonauts.
Remaining popular through the decades.
Also favoured by early soviet space travellers, here's Vostok...
... and Strela/Sekonda.
Leonov wore a flightmaster 911 (although maybe only in training).
And here's a Russian Elektronika-55 model as worn by Viktor Afanasyev on Soyuz TM-11.
More recent cosmonauts were issued with a Fortis.
Moving into Europe, there's Yema...
...and Sinn, as you have mentioned.
Different generations of the Omega X-33, were issued by NASA and the ESA.
Sticking with NASA, I covered the Timex Data Link watches here:
http://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.ph...SA-Smart-Watch
Of which many variations have been in space.
And whilst we're on LCD we shouldn't overlook the Seiko A829 with the nifty bezel.
A fair number of Casio G-Shocks have been qualified by NASA for space flight.
That's just scratching the surface. Enjoy your quest, it's a lot of fun.
Last edited by Mr Curta; 12th November 2020 at 23:06.
Don't just do something, sit there. - TNH
Love that 33mm reissue. The caseback in the one linked on the timeshop4you site is different when comparing to a search for ‘Sturmanskie 2609-3751470’, they appear to have a plain caseback with only numbers engraved. Did they do two reissues? Or is the timeshop4you showing the wrong watch?
Edit: The timeshop4you link is actually showing the caseback for the 40mm auto version.
Last edited by Mr Tetley; 12th November 2020 at 23:12.
Yes, it's really good - a lesson for Bulova on how it should be done.
Don't just do something, sit there. - TNH
There are a couple of Bulova watches that may be of interest. The Bulova accutron astronaut was used by test pilots flying sr71, u2 and x15 planes. The pilots of the x15 got astronaut wings for flying so high.
https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/bu...lane-ever-made
There’s also a bulova chronograph that went to the moon on Apollo 15 it’s mentioned here:
https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/ev...nt-to-the-moon
Also the mission clicks on board the Apollo space craft were accutron movement based.
Cracking post Matthew
What are the odd/weird markings on the strela and sekonda at 3minutes 6 and 9minutes on the chronograph (right dial)?
There must be a reason why they have prominent marking in comparison to 5mins and 10.
Traditionally, chronographs had an indication at the 3 and 6 minute marks - to show a 20th and a 10th of a minute. There is a wrongly held beilef that this was due to phone call rates being based on 3 minute intervals, but these markings appeared on chronograph dials before the introduction of this system by telephone companies.
And let's not forget the X-33 Speedmaster which is still in issue for NASA spaceflights.
There is one on eBay at £3.8k !!!Worthy of a mention is the very rare Omega Speedmaster Professional LCD 186.0004
Manufactured briefly for 18 months between 1977 and 1978 and aimed at NASA's Shuttle Programme. Whilst worn in training and on some early flights it never went any further.
I saw one in a jewellers shop window in 1978 and it was more expensive than the conventional Speedmaster next to it.
Not that long ago when one of the limited number remaining occasionally came up for sale on eBay or WUS you could pick them up for 400 to 600 quid. Now you are looking at 1.5K plus.
36mm but wears smaller, more like a 33m in my view.
Marvelous things and one of the few pieces that I miss having sold it on.
Presumably it was only the 1st and 2nd generation that have the NASA connectionAnd let's not forget the X-33 Speedmaster which is still in issue for NASA spaceflights.
Yes, as I understand it. The Gen 2 is the currently issued one.
Not familiar with these....
What’s the differences between gen 1 and 2 ?
Gen 1 is presumably more desirable ?
Gen 3 is the skywalker model - so - any connection with space other than the model number ?
Crown, bezel, movement. Gen 2 tends to be more popular due to the groovy crown and temperature compensated movement. I'll do a proper comparison sometime.
Gen 1 - polished bezel
Gen 2
The Gen 2 matt bezel looks almost white in some lighting.
Gen 3 'Skywalker' is issued by the ESA, see the casebacks in my earlier post.
Gen 3 'Solar Impulse' LE
Last edited by Mr Curta; 13th November 2020 at 22:57.
Don't just do something, sit there. - TNH
Gen 2 has matte bezel and pushers. Also a lume pip on the bezel. Plus a different crown. The Gen 2 is rarer and more desirable.
Blimey - what a great resource on the detail - love it :)
So any differences (other than colour) between skywalker and solar impulse ?
It's cosmetic. An LE to mark Omega's involvement with the Solar Impulse project, the team circumnavigated the globe in a solar powered aircraft. Not seen in space as far as I am aware.
Don't just do something, sit there. - TNH
Mr curta - I salute your unhealthy knowledge on this topic !!!!
Don't just do something, sit there. - TNH
Last question for tonight - did the gen 3 x33’s cone with either fabric or titanium strap option or both ?
Skywalker - titanium bracelet
Solar Impulse - NATO
Same price...
My preference is Solar Impulse on the bracelet and Skywalker on a very dark grey Kevlar. The NATO is a bit OTT for my liking.
Last edited by Mr Curta; 13th November 2020 at 23:28.
Don't just do something, sit there. - TNH
There's another X-33 LE, the Regatta. The least said about that the better.
Don't just do something, sit there. - TNH
Decent price for a full set x33 solar impulse ? £2.5k ?
£2.5K is a bit toppy, £2.3K is a very good price but they don't come up that often.
Finnies was selling them new for £2.3K about a year back. https://www.finnies.com/watches-c4/o...edition-p11273
Don't just do something, sit there. - TNH
Discontinued model now ? I realise I’m totally not
Up to speed on these !!!
The Solar Impulse is, they only made 1,924 of them.
Don't just do something, sit there. - TNH
I’m very keen to know what you think. I’m very interested also! Which retailer are you going with?
Great thread!
Glad to see the Russian knowledge here, as it is an often overlooked heritage line in this space :)
However, I would add that the Speedmaster Professional Mark II is an important addition.
While we all know the story of the privately owned Speedmasters and then the selection of the Speedmaster by NASA, the fact remains that while what became known as the moon watch was chosen for space, the Mark II was designed for use in space.
Now, I know that comes with lots of caveats, but with the same movement, dial and hands as its predecessor, the bezel, crystal and case were designed to cope better with the rigors of being worn both inside and outside a space suit. So while not quite a full execution of the Project Alaska research, the Mark II is still a significant development in tool watches designed for use beyond this planet.
While the CK2998 is usually regarded as the first Omega in Space (FOIS), and the moon watch is a 145.022, the Mark II is the first Omega designed for space.
There is also a very strong, though as yet unproven, possibility it went on a Skylab mission with Ed Gibson.
A great underdog story.
How about the Halda Space Discovery?
(taken from https://www.ablogtowatch.com/halda-s...-watch-review/)
Sadly no longer available, but the full spec is still at the Halda site: https://www.haldawatches.com/halda-space-discovery/
simon
Magnificent beasts, there's one currently on eBay in Australia. Out of my price range which is probably just as well.How about the Halda Space Discovery?
(taken from https://www.ablogtowatch.com/halda-s...-watch-review/)
Sadly no longer available, but the full spec is still at the Halda site: https://www.haldawatches.com/halda-space-discovery/
simon
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HALDA-SPA...MAAOSwr0ReFlr2
Don't just do something, sit there. - TNH
Some here...
And a Cosmonaute dive watch.
Cheers,
Neil.
Further on the premise that the Speedy MkI was a sports and racing chrono that was chosen for space missions... whereas the MkII was designed for space.
Another watch that was specifically designed for space was the Bulova Lunar Pilot and you can see the similarities with the MkII especially around the flat crystal and the inboard tachy scale.
It also took until the X-33 before Omega discovered the wisdom of paddle pushers for space work.
The way I understand it, the reason behind NASA not using the MkII was that they couldn't be bothered to go through the hassle and expense of qualifying another watch when they already had a watch that was qualified.
"The whole purpose of mechanical watches is to be impertinent." ~ Lionel a Marca, CEO of Breguet
Thanks for that. They seem pretty legit and have an actual store so I’m sure all will be well. Did they confirm it is the 33mm model and not the 40mm?
I’m very interested in one of these so will be watching this thread with interest.
The original in carbon fibre with proprietary shock system and mission timer.
R.O.1 SPACE Limited Edition – Dutch ESA Astronaut Andre Kuipers' Watch
https://www.fratellowatches.com/r-o-...rs-watch/#gref
R.O.1 Space (Lots of Pics)
Roland Oostwegel RO1 Space Andere Kuipers
https://www.flickr.com/photos/487701...th/6606019679/
If you want to buy
https://shop.dutchjewelcompany.com/en-gb/ro1-space/
"The whole purpose of mechanical watches is to be impertinent." ~ Lionel a Marca, CEO of Breguet
Actually, there is another space lineage not mentioned yet: the Chinese Fiyta Spacemaster chronograph.
Intriguing.
I don't know about "significant", but I'm 100 % sure I've seen pictures of an astronaut wearing a Citizen Aqualand JP200 somewhere online. Can't find it right now, but I'll hopefully be able to edit it in here later.
Found it! The astronaut is called Norman Thagard, and the picture was taken on the Russian space station MIR in 1995.
Last edited by JimSclavunos; 14th November 2020 at 19:27.
Thanks for that, I love this shot of the groundbreaking mission.
Don't just do something, sit there. - TNH
OP, can I recommend this thread as well:
https://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.p...ospace-history
Although I started it about a Fortis, it turned into a space watch love-in, with excellent contributions from MrCurta and others.
Okay thanks.
It still seems odd that they would have it at fractions of a 30mins dial and still have 5 10 minute markings as well.
This is from page 11, La Suisse Horlogere, No. 3, 1951, "The Main Types of Chronograph Explained by Their Dials" describes a minute-recording chronograph with "Three-minute divisions for telephone calls."
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