Morning All,
After reading another thread, I’m now confused te the Speedy Moonwatch!! I thought that the Speedmaster Caliber 1861 was true to the original Calibre that went to the moon but the threads relating to the Ed White Speedmaster (first US spacewalk), suggest the watch had a 321 movement. I have a Sapphire sandwich 1861 and an original 1970 Seamaster running an early 861 movement. What actually is the scanario relating to this????

 

I am new to here, still I known that the caliber 1861 isn't true to the original calibre that went to the moon. 861/1861 are introduced for their mass-productivity while the number of original 321 movements is quite limited as their production ended in the 60s. Get the original 321 friend!

 

The 321 is the calibre that went to the moon, however by the time of the moon landings, the 321 had given way to the 861, the main change being from the column wheel to the shuttle and cam, and the increased frequency of the movements.

The 861 and later 1861 (1996ish...) Were both flight qualified and have spent time in space, just not on the moon.

Obviously you'll pay a premium for a 321 movement, and the cost of servicing may be higher, parts are less available, but for a lot of the purists it's the only way to go.

For a watch that's been produced for nearly 65 years, at least 50 of those have had some form of 861/1861 movement inside.

 

And now the new Cal. 3861.

 

This article should answer your question more comprehensively: https://www.fratellowatches.com/the-omega-speedmaster-watch-buyers-guide/#gref

 

My understanding in summary is that the 321, 861 and 1861 have been flight qualified by NASA for use in EVA's in a Speedmaster with Hesalite.
All of them have either been used in space with only the 321 being worn on the moon.
The 861 has been to the moon but was used as part of an experiment.
The 1861 is an 861 which has a Rhodium coating on the movement plates which helps with longevity.
The Speedmaster is not the only watch to have been used in space, or the only watch to have gone to the moon.

 

??????
Can you source that?

Yes, a LOT of watches went in space...
Yes (Bulova on the moon)

 

Sorry, no i can't.
But it's something that has definately stuck in my mind.
the watch with the 861 was used as part of an experiment but I'm not sure what roll it actually played in the experiment. I assume it was used as a timing devise.
It never was on the moon surface but remained in orbit during a late Apollo mission and I think the experiment had something to do with temperature.
I'm sure someone else will be able to come along and provide more clarity

 

This link might be helpful re Ron Evans' Speedy Pro with cal 861 on Apollo 17.
https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-5945140

 

!!!!!!!!!! E x c e l l e n t !!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for this link....
That's a real surprise for me to see that the 861 was part of the Apollo program!