In What Year Was The Omega Speedmaster Chosen By Nasa As Its Official Watch?
In What Year Was The Omega Speedmaster Chosen By Nasa As Its Official Watch?
Key Takeaways
- The Omega Speedmaster was officially selected by NASA on March 1, 1965.
- It earned the title “Flight Qualified by NASA for all Brotherhood Manned Space Missions.”
- The watch was the only one to survive rigorous environmental testing including extreme temperatures, vibrations, and vacuum pressures.
The Omega Speedmaster was officially chosen by NASA as its official watch for manned space missions on March 1, 1965. Following a series of grueling endurance tests against competitors, the Speedmaster was the only timepiece to maintain accuracy within the required specifications for space travel.
Table of Contents
- The Selection Process and Testing
- Historical Context: Why NASA Needed a Watch
- Key Testing Requirements
- Summary Table
- Frequently Asked Questions
The Selection Process and Testing
In 1964, NASA engineer James Ragan sent out a request for bids to several watchmakers to find a reliable chronograph for the Gemini and Apollo programs. While several brands submitted watches—including Rolex, Longines-Wittnauer, and Hamilton—the Omega Speedmaster (Reference 105.003) outperformed every rival.
The watches were subjected to what is now known as the “Qualification Test Procedures.” These were designed to simulate the most extreme conditions imaginable in space. By March 1, 1965, NASA officially declared the Speedmaster “Flight Qualified” for all manned space missions.
Pro Tip: Although the official selection happened in 1965, astronauts Walter Schirra and Gordon Cooper had already worn their personal Speedmasters during the Mercury missions in 1962 and 1963.
Historical Context: Why NASA Needed a Watch
During the Space Race, precise timing was a matter of life and death. Astronauts needed a manual-wind chronograph to:
- Calculate fuel burns for engine maneuvers.
- Track elapsed time during Extravehicular Activities (EVA) or spacewalks.
- Serve as a backup in case the spacecraft’s electronic timers failed.
The Omega Speedmaster famously proved its worth during the Apollo 13 mission in 1970, where it was used to timed a critical 14-second mid-course correction after the ship’s onboard computers were powered down to save energy.
Key Testing Requirements
To become the official watch, the Speedmaster had to survive conditions that destroyed its competitors. Some of the tests included:
- High Temperature: 48 hours at 71^{\circ}C, followed by 30 minutes at 93^{\circ}C.
- Low Temperature: 4 hours at -18^{\circ}C.
- Decompression: 90 minutes in a high vacuum.
- Acceleration: Incremental acceleration from 1g to 7.25g within 333 seconds.
Summary Table
| Event | Detail |
|---|---|
| Official Selection Date | March 1, 1965 |
| Primary Organization | NASA |
| Winning Model | Omega Speedmaster Professional |
| First Official Mission | Gemini 3 |
| Famous Distinction | The first watch worn on the Moon (Apollo 11) |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Was the Omega Speedmaster the only watch tested?
No. NASA tested chronographs from Rolex, Longines-Wittnauer, and Hamilton. Most failed during the first high-temperature or humidity tests, leaving the Omega as the sole survivor.
2. Is the modern Omega Speedmaster still flight qualified?
Yes. The manual-wind Speedmaster Professional “Moonwatch” remains flight-qualified for EVA use by NASA, and the Omega Speedmaster X-33 is qualified for use inside spacecraft.
3. Did Omega know NASA was testing their watches?
Actually, Omega was unaware that NASA had purchased the watches for testing at a local jeweler in Houston. They only found out after the selection was made and photographs of astronauts wearing them began to surface.
Next Steps
Shall I break down the specific differences between the “Pre-Moon” Speedmasters and the ones worn during the Apollo 11 moon landing?