You sir, have been in hiding since 2013. We would love to hear more about any of your watches or stories from Moscow.
For example, did Cosmonaut Leonov ever discuss or show photos of the watch he wore during his historic spacewalk?
Again, welcome back.
Hi, apologies for the late reply. He used to talk a lot about his Flightmaster, and that was the main reason I got into Omega watches myself. Although I found out my Grandfather also wore a Constellation. Didn't even think to ask him whether he wore it in space but I did have a conversation with him about why he didn't wear a Speedmaster - his view was that the Flightmaster was a "proper" pilot's watch as compared to the Speedmaster. But in the same breadth he said that they had all wanted to wear the same watch as the Americans in order to keep the same time, but that the powers above had decreed that they had to where a different one, hence the Flightmaster was the choice. He wore two watches, one with Moscow Time and one Houston, but I honestly don't know what they were. He was a great character, wonderful sense of humour - constant smile - and loved practical jokes. I only met him one-on-one on three or four occasions and then a few more dinners where he spoke, and he certainly made an impression.
Since then I was fascinated by that mission - I have some of the original flight manuals and training documents as well as some photos from training etc. While in Moscow I visited mission control in Korolev to witness a Soyuz docking with the ISS - that was an incredible experience! I started my Omega collection with a Flightmaster 145.013 and later the 145.126. The first new watch purchase was the Apollo-Soyuz 35th anniversary meteorite dial limited edition. Then managed to find the 1976 issue in Paris and went there to buy it. I'm not very good at parting with things so have too many Omega's now, including pretty much every digital they made. I love the Time Computer Series. The 1976 Apollo-Soyuz and the 3193.50 150th Anniversary are the highlights in my collection, I guess.
Most Recent is the new 321.
Most unusual, probably have to say the FIFA referee timer MG 7422 or the black Memomaster SR 782.0804 that was made for the Swiss Ladies National Ski Team. Or maybe the Equinoxe reverso 186.0013 which is very strange.
Most likely to be fake... I have an absolutely mint Mark II gold-plated MD 145.034 on a supposedly gold-plate JB champion bracelet. Have always wondered whether that was too good to be true and, frankly, what's with the JB bracelet. I also have a 120 diver ST 135.027 (doesn't everyone?) but as I bought it in 2012 I think when they were pretty cheap, I'm thinking it's probably not fake, but I'm not that knowledgeable on Seamaster fakes.
Most regretted; Not buying a blue bezelled 2998 years ago for virtually nothing,
Most annoying; the white Snoopy that I missed as I wasn't paying attention.
Most likely to wear regularly are 200m SHOM 165.0177, the classic 145.012-67, Bond 50th 212.30.41.20.01.005 and an X-33 2nd Gen 3291.50.00 US Navy issued that was combat flown in an F-15 and ejected! I figure if it's gone through that it'll survive anything.
There's a few I don't have that I'd like to add to my collection - the Apollo XV 40th and Apollo XIII 3595.52 would be nice to find mint.
It's very easy to rabbit-on about these beautiful bits of metal, isn't it!? Cheers all!
