The other Moonwatch!
Hello everyone, as I've shared previously the watches I own all have something in common - (hi)story. Today I would like to share the story about the significance in horology and history, in general, of a watch I love to wear. Hope you enjoy the post!
Everyone knows that the Omega Speedmaster is considered the official "Moonwatch", but few people know about the "other" Moonwatch, the Bulova one. On August 2, 1971, Apollo 15 astronaut David R. Scott wore his Bulova Chronograph ref. 88510/01 on the lunar surface. He chooses to wear the watch after his Speedmaster's crystal falls off earlier during a space walk. Scott wrote in NASA's official journal:
"I noticed that the Omega's crystal popped up sometime during the EVA (Extravehicular activity). So, on EVA-3, I used my spare watch.”
This spare Bulova #88510/01 was sold in 2015. For $1,600,000. The Speedmasters that were on the moon were technically government property and therefore could not be sold, but the Bulova was Scott's private property, so he was free to sell it if he wanted. Watches become legendary by playing key roles in important historical events. Although it was not the first watch worn on the Moon, it remains an impressive instrument, and the fact that Scott wore this model as his personal timepiece speaks volumes for the position Bulova held at the time in aviator/astronaut circles.
As a fan of both history and all things related to Space, I am glad to be able, even in this way, to wear a piece of that history on my arm.
Thank you for sharing 👍
So what size was the original, do you know?
I'm curious if the old or new Bulova is closer to it size wise 👍
Thank you for sharing 👍
So what size was the original, do you know?
I'm curious if the old or new Bulova is closer to it size wise 👍
As far as I know the original was ±43mm, and the reissue is ±2mm wider, retaining the 20mm lug width.
Cool! I want one now! 🍻😂 I want this one… so I’ll have all moon watches!!
Dang it!!now I really really want one!! Man! I want to create a sub-collection of moon related watches… 🤔
I've always considered the Bulova the 'lesser' Moon Watch.
The current edition Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch is definitely not the watch that was used by the Apollo astronauts, and to think otherwise is to overly-romanticise the watch (and buy in to all the Omega hype!)
But - the Speedmaster has been in continuous production since the Apollo missions (and earlier!) and has a design and mechanical lineage that can be traced back to the Apollo-used watches.
The Bulova 88510/01 was a prototype*, and was never produced commercially. Bulova seemingly ignored, or forgot about, this watch until Scott's prototype was revealed and went up for sale in 2015. It was only after this that they issued their homage to the original watch (a more cynical person would say to cash in on the interest of the original watch).
The re-issue watch has only visual similarities with the original prototype, being a different size and using a completely different movement.
By the way. I love both of these watches. How can you be a space nerd and not love them? :-)
* I do sometimes wonder how often the astronauts were approached by non-selected equipment suppliers with kit - "Why don't you take our kit along with you. As a backup. You know, just in case..."
Nice writeup! And what a coincidence, look at what I'm wearing today on an astronaut strap!
Yeah…well…that Scott dude…
Check out this affair:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_15_postal_covers_incident
Kind of makes me think „did the crystal of that Speedmaster really did pop off by itself?“
Note that the speedys worn by the Apollo astronauts were nasa issued government property. So no way for the astronauts to sell them afterwards as memorabilia.
Hmmm…
Yeah…well…that Scott dude…
Check out this affair:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_15_postal_covers_incident
Kind of makes me think „did the crystal of that Speedmaster really did pop off by itself?“
Note that the speedys worn by the Apollo astronauts were nasa issued government property. So no way for the astronauts to sell them afterwards as memorabilia.
Hmmm…
How convenient that the only time a Speedmaster crystal has ever popped off on a mission, the astronaut just happened to have a personal backup. Scott may be an astronaut, and all credit for accomplishing that, but he was also all about cashing in on that, make no mistake.
The watch is lovely, and I’m looking forward to seeing the slightly smaller one in person. The original was just too large for my taste.
How convenient that the only time a Speedmaster crystal has ever popped off on a mission, the astronaut just happened to have a personal backup. Scott may be an astronaut, and all credit for accomplishing that, but he was also all about cashing in on that, make no mistake.
The watch is lovely, and I’m looking forward to seeing the slightly smaller one in person. The original was just too large for my taste.
There is one reported incident on Apollo 16.
I've always considered the Bulova the 'lesser' Moon Watch.
The current edition Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch is definitely not the watch that was used by the Apollo astronauts, and to think otherwise is to overly-romanticise the watch (and buy in to all the Omega hype!)
But - the Speedmaster has been in continuous production since the Apollo missions (and earlier!) and has a design and mechanical lineage that can be traced back to the Apollo-used watches.
The Bulova 88510/01 was a prototype*, and was never produced commercially. Bulova seemingly ignored, or forgot about, this watch until Scott's prototype was revealed and went up for sale in 2015. It was only after this that they issued their homage to the original watch (a more cynical person would say to cash in on the interest of the original watch).
The re-issue watch has only visual similarities with the original prototype, being a different size and using a completely different movement.
By the way. I love both of these watches. How can you be a space nerd and not love them? :-)
* I do sometimes wonder how often the astronauts were approached by non-selected equipment suppliers with kit - "Why don't you take our kit along with you. As a backup. You know, just in case..."
Bulova was almost certainly not aware of this until the public learned in ~2015 as it had been kept secret.
Bulova was almost certainly not aware of this until the public learned in ~2015 as it had been kept secret.
Aren't there photos of him wearing it on the lunar surface?
It does seem unusual that Bulova wouldn't jump all over this as a marketing coup. But then, if Scott took the watch up undisclosed in his PPK (the only place he'd be able to carry non-sanctioned equipment) they may have wanted to keep a bit quiet about it.
How convenient that the only time a Speedmaster crystal has ever popped off on a mission, the astronaut just happened to have a personal backup. Scott may be an astronaut, and all credit for accomplishing that, but he was also all about cashing in on that, make no mistake.
The watch is lovely, and I’m looking forward to seeing the slightly smaller one in person. The original was just too large for my taste.
Scott was also one of the astronauts who attempted to make money off of postage covers added to his PPK on the mission and was severely reprimanded, along with the other members of the Apollo 15 crew and Jack Swigert, who lost his seat on the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project to Vance Brand.