Enter the 'ber' months, and Is the Omega Speedmaster Reduced a Moonwatch?

It's September and the first of what we call the 'ber' months ushers in what is claimed to be the longest Christmas season in the world. Even with the pandemic still very much affecting everything and everyone's lives, there's no denying the spirit of Christmas and its association with gift-giving this side of the world. Among the more popular and and enduring gifts are watches. And I am not just referring to the luxury ones but all kinds of watches. I got one for Christmas when I was in high school, a Seiko quartz dress watch that was an upgrade from the Alba digital I had worn during my grade school days.

Probably one watch on someone's wishlist is the Omega Speedmaster Professional "Moonwatch". It is a unique piece that is associated with being the first watch model worn on the moon. The "Moonwatch" also happens to be the standard issue watch for NASA astronauts and part of its mystique includes the story of its use during a critical moment of Apollo 13's return to earth during its ill-fated and almost fatal mission. You'll see various versions of the watch on the market as Omega changed the movement several times since the 1960s. The overall design though is the same and the movement is manually wound. Many years ago, Omega came up with an automatic, reduced (i.e., smaller sized) Speedmaster. This now is loosely being called a "Moonwatch". So is it? Is the Omega Speedmaster Reduced a Moonwatch? Look at the back. I think that should be the best way to determine if your watch is a "Moonwatch".

This is what's on the case back of an Omega Moonwatch. These Speedmasters are the official timepieces of NASA astronauts so it is safe to say that Col. Pogue also wore one while on the Skylab mission even though he was photographed wearing his preferred Seiko 6139, which has the distinction of being the first automatic chronograph in space.

 

And then there are articles you can refer to that all state the differences between the two models and the distinction of the Moonwatch from other Speedmasters including those marketed by Omega itself as "moonwatches".

Broer, R (March 24, 2020) "Speedmaster Reduced vs. Speedmaster Professional "Moonwatch"," Fratello Watches, https://www.fratellowatches.com/speedy-tuesday-speedmaster-reduced-versus-speedmaster-professional-moonwatch/#gref

There are few models that can claim to be in space. Among them are the Seikos, Rolexes, Sinns, Fortises, Fiytas, Strelas and Sturmanskies worn by astronauts and cosmonauts (Note: Gagarin wore a Sturmanskie making it the first watch in space). Even rarer are those who can claim to be on the moon - officially, the Omega Moonwatch, but also the Bulova and Rolex watch, which have been taken as back-up watches of some astronauts.

Here's the back of the Bulova:

A Bulova chronograph was used by an astronaut on the Apollo 15 mission

So make sure you get your "Moonwatch" right. Save up for the Omega if you can but note that prices are increasing as they change the movement and some watch features. There should be second-hand pieces available in the market as well as the so-called "new old stock" or NOS that some shops might possess and have for sale. Just be careful you don't get a knock-off. If the price seems to good to be true, it may just be.

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