Hidden gems from the NASA photo archive

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For Mercury - Apollo 17 I believe a number of watches flew.

Omega Speedmaster 321/861 - Mercury (Schirra 1st Omega) - Apollo 17 (Evans 861)
Breitling Cosmonaute - Scott Carpenter - Mercury-Atlas 7
Bulova Accutron Astronaut - Mercury and Gemini
Rolex 1675 GMT
Bulova Chronograph - Dave Scott EVA-3 after the crystal on his Speedmaster went missing.

Here is a great shot, and much loved image in the Rolex world, of Ed Mitchell winding/setting his two Rolex GMT's.



Scott's Bulova chronograph.

Thanks for that info @TLIGuy. 馃憤

Also, are the currently approved NASA watches the Speedmaster Professional [unsure of specific model(s)], the Casio G-Shock [unsure of specific model(s)] and the Timex Ironman [unsure of specific model(s)]? Thought I had read that somewhere.
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Thanks for that info @TLIGuy. 馃憤

Also, are the currently approved NASA watches the Speedmaster Professional [unsure of specific model(s)], the Casio G-Shock [unsure of specific model(s)] and the Timex Ironman [unsure of specific models(s)]? Thought I had read that somewhere.

I believe those are approved as well for current missions along with the X-33 and the Speedmaster 861 being approved for EVA's. I really only consider myself well versed in the MGA era watches so maybe someone with more current knowledge will chime in. I do know looking at recent shuttle and ISS images there are quite a few different watches gracing the wrists of astronauts and cosmonauts. NASA has really eased restrictions on what personal watches can be taken.
 
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Gem #31

After recovery of the Apollo 15 astronauts.

Official description in image library:

Al Worden's pre-dinner address aboard the Okinawa. 7 August 1971.

 
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Thanks for that info @TLIGuy. 馃憤

Also, are the currently approved NASA watches the Speedmaster Professional [unsure of specific model(s)], the Casio G-Shock [unsure of specific model(s)] and the Timex Ironman [unsure of specific model(s)]? Thought I had read that somewhere.

Pretty sure the DW-5600E commonly referd to "as the square G" was worn on several shuttle missions. Other G-Shocks have been used though as seen here..

http://forums.watchuseek.com/f17/fe...-i-still-cant-access-wus-my-office-34994.html
 
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Gem #32

From the Apollo 16 image library. Click image to enlarge and see Mattingly's Speedmaster, with clip-on perpetual calendar.

Official description in image library:

John Young (left), Charlie Duke, and T.K. Mattingly pose on the steps of a CM simulator at the Cape. 3 December 1971.

 
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Gem #33

Official description in image library:

John Young (left) and Dotty Duke, possibly at the second roll-out.

 
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Here are the last 3 to round out my favorites...

White with his iconic 105.003...



A great close up of Stafford's Speedmaster with a super crisp straight lug case...



And Finally this bat $h!t crazy a$$ set up worn by John Young. A riveted leather strap with, yes my friends, a metal calendar folded over the strap. I also find it interesting that the dial plots already appear to be deteriorating.

How can anyone wear this set up you ask? He's John Young and he can wear his Speemaster anyway he wants.

There is something so analog about a metal plate calendar over the strap. Anyone know if that's still made by someone. Granted you will have to slip in a new plate every month if you actually wear it like that today.
 
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There is something so analog about a metal plate calendar over the strap. Anyone know if that's still made by someone. Granted you will have to slip in a new plate every month if you actually wear it like that today.

There is something about those little plate calendars alright. I have a bit of an obsession bordering on an unhealthy infatuation with those little things. Yes, you can still get current H shaped calendars. Just a quick Google search and you will find them.
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Gem #34

Wow! That 42mm case looks really big on Duke's wrist.

Official description in image library:

Charlie Duke explains the film retrieval activities that CMP Ken Mattingly will perform during his EVA. Image filed 18 February 1972.

 
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Today's the 50th anniversary of the Gemini V splash down. A cool shot of Cooper and Conrad:

 
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Today's the 50th anniversary of the Gemini V splash down. A cool shot of Cooper and Conrad:


Nice choice for the day. I think this is probably one of the best Gemini crew images ever taken. The smiles say it all.
 
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Gem #35

Note how Duke's Speedmaster appears to be pre-attached to the glove assembly.

Official description in image library:

Charlie Duke (left) and Ken Mattingly in the KSC Crew Training Building. April 1972.

 
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I came across these images of John Young prepping for STS-1 while doing a bit of research on the Speedmaster heading into the shuttle program. I'm not sure if his Speedmaster dates back to his Apollo days but seeing it on the JB Champion bracelet I'm thinking it's a pretty good possibility.

 
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I'm thinking this is quite possibly one of the best wrist shots of an astronauts straight lug Speedmaster out there. Look at the sharpness of the case, the applied metal logo, and the stepped dial.

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