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This
is the seed of a potential article on Anniversary
Model Speedmaster Moonwatches. I wrote the response
to the request of Jeff for information on
10th Anniversary Speedmaster Questions. Thus far
with the brief exception of a short response on the
20th Anniversary Moonwatch (from an email request
for information) tacked on at the end, it only
concerns 10th Anniversary models. -- Chuck (10 Sep
2001)
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Speedmaster
10th Anniversary questions
What is engraved on the
back of a 10th Anniversary Moonwatch? What color is the
dial/subdials? What material is the case/bezel/bracelet? Why
is there so little information about this model?
Hiya, Jeff...
Well, it's really hard to
say because it's confusing! There appear to be as many as
5 different versions according to the Time Capsule...
Let's take your questions one at a time:
What is engraved on
the back of a 10th Anniversary Moonwatch?
I don't know but it
seems that many of the 10th Anniversary Moonwatches
may have been display backs of some sort... At
least the Time Capsule lists then as Display
backs...
What color is the
dial/subdials?
Well this is where
some of the confusion comes in...
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Gatefold
Section of the TC:
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Omega
Speedmaster Family Section of
TC:
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ST345.0808
Black Dial Stainless c.863 on
bracelet
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ST345.0808
Black Dial Stainless w/pink gold c.863
movement
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BC145.0039
Silver Dial White Gold c.863 on
strap...
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BA145.0039
Yellow Gold c.861L Rhodium-plated
mechanism
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BA
345.0802 Yellow Dial Yellow Gold c.863 on
bracelet
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BA145.0039
Yellow Gold c.861L Rhodium-plated
mechanism
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BA345.0039
Yellow Gold c.861L Rhodium-plated mechanism,
Bracelet
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BA345.0039
Yellow Gold c.861L Rhodium-plated mechanism,
Bracelet
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So we have a Stainless, White Gold and Yellow Gold
mentioned in the Gatefold, all with c.863 movements.
And in the Speedmaster Family section we have the
Stainless Steel version with the c.863 Gilt movement,
and 4 Yellow Gold Versions with the Rhodium v.861L
version...
This is only one of the
examples that illustrate that depending on the Time
Capsule for clear and canon information is problematic
at best...
All of the dials are the
colors indicated and the sub's are the same color as
the dial...
What material is the
case/bezel/bracelet?
Ok, Apparently
there are Stainless, Yellow and White Gold versions
all with Black Bezels and the Gold versions were
apparently available from Bienne on both strap and
bracelet.
Why is there so little
information about this model?
Well, because the
information that is out there is confusing at best. I
do have one little thread of hope that I can
extend...
K
J O'Brien
recently purchased a 10th Anniversary model from Eric
Katoso. Here is a snippet of his watch:
To:
cmaddox@xnet.com
Subject: 10 th
anniversary Moon Watch
Chuck>the watch I
can tell you,is serial # 255 out of 500
original.The movement,an 861,bears serial #48224xxx
with the caseback # 145022.It has a black face with
the subdials in gold {so its 2-tone}.The large
hands are plain moon syle and the small hands on
the subdials are black.I had first seen it at
Katoso's web site... ... The watch has a gold
bezel,gold pushers and a gold crown.The bracelet is
a leather strap and not the 2-tone gold and ss that
I remember with these watches.
Now, interestingly
enough, an auction that Eric held (where reserve
wasn't met) is still on ebay a month and a half
later... So I've grabbed it and reproduced the
pertentent information here:
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OMEGA
Stainless Steel / Gold 2-TONE "SPEEDMASTER"
Ref.ST.145022 LIMITED EDITION (500 pcs) Manual Wind
MOONWATCH. Circa 1979. (VERY RARE &
COLLECTABLE)
Dial : Signed and original
black dial with GOLD sub-dial appears to be in MINT
condition. Hands are all original and Excellent
condition as shown. Luminous marks are very
slightly aged (turned slight yellow).
Case : Signed and original
stainless steel case with original Gold bezel,
crown and pushers appears to be in good condition
with minor scratches from wear. A few tiny nick
marks near the edges of the case. Never been
polished. Signed and original screw back cover with
case reference ST145022 on the inside and ordinary
Moonwatch markings on the outside + the limited
edition nos. 255/500 (Watch was picked up from a
private collector á year ago). Overall case
condition is GOOD / Excellent.
Size Measured = 40mm without
lugs and crown.
Movement : Signed and
original 17 Jewels Cal.861 movement is nice and
clean as shown. Movement Ref. 48224xxx (As shown on
Photo).
Remarks : As
far as I have been told this model was made in a
quantity of 500 pcs in 1979 for the 10th
ANNIVERSARY of the Moon Landing Mission by NASA.
From my point of view this is quite a collectable
model and besides the watch is quite outstanding in
terms of itís look. Please feel free to
write and ask for more info.
>Snip<
- If you
have any further questions
>Snip<
- Please
CLICK following icon to visit my homepage
- [Actually
I've changed this to point to Eric's Omega
Information site -- Chuck].
[Chuck's
note: I am posting this without Eric's
permission, but I'm confident that he won't
mind]
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See why I'm confused?
=) Here is another one that the Time Capsule doesn't
mention!
This is the sum total I know
on the subject. I'd recommend you contact
K.J.
and/or Eric
and see what additional light they can shed on the
subject. Realize that Eric is in Hong Kong, so replys
will take time and I believe that, how do I put this
politely..., Eric's first language is Chinese not
English. I've had a number of pleasant, but short email
conversations with Eric, he does know and can write
English, but it's best to write clearly to minimize
confusion! That's ok, my English is only coarsely
passible and I really can't speak or write anything
else!
Cheers and good luck on your
quest for information on the 10th!
-- Chuck
P.S. I'll probably
save/archive/host/maintain/update this posting on my
site. so if you learn more, let me know and I'll update
it!
Speedmaster
20th Anniversary questions:
I have a quick question
regarding the inscription on the side the the Sppedmaster
Pro 20th Anniv. case. Within your FAQ on pricing and models,
you state that on the side is engraved Appolo XI and
XXXX/XXXX for the limited edition number. I have been
considering buying one of these watches which clearly has
"Apollo XI, 1969" on the side. Is this a fluke and the watch
in question is actually #1969 of 2000?.
Nope, there are at
least two variations of the 20th... One series of 2000
for the US and Germany and a second (non-limited edition
hence no serial) for the rest of the world...
Here are some pictures of my
20th Anniversary Model (1169/2000) by itself and with
some friends...
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