July 17th, 2015 is the 40th anniversary of the rendezvous and docking of the Apollo and Soyuz spacecraft, the culminating event of the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project. This mission also marked the 12th and final manned flight of the venerable Apollo spacecraft; the Soyuz spacecraft continues to fly today. In 1975, the year of the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project, Omega released 500 commemorative Speedmasters (in stainless steel) to the general public. In the decades that followed, Omega released a number of commemorative, Limited Edition Speedmasters (see article on www.fratellowatches.com): 1995 (20th anniversary): Limited edition of 200 gold Speedmasters 2000 (25th anniversary): Limited edition of 50 gold Speedmasters 2010 (35th anniversary): Limited edition of 1,975 stainless steel Speedmasters, with meteorite dial. So Omega Forum members, here's an opportunity to show 'em. I'm hoping, hoping, hoping to see examples of those Limited Editions released before 2010. To get the ball rolling, here's my very recent acquisition (and my only Speedmaster), posed over the Apollo-Soyuz pages in the massive book "Omega -- A Journey Through Time". Number 1,439 out of 1,975. I've always had an affinity for prime numbers so 1439 suits me just fine.
I found this photo of the original Mercury Seven astronauts that I thought was pretty cool. Deke Slayton, the Apollo-Soyuz docking module pilot, is leftmost on the front row. A medical issue prevented astronaut Slayton from participating in the Mercury flights, or any other spaceflight until he was finally cleared for flight duty in time for the Apollo-Soyuz mission; it was his only spaceflight. Astronaut Slayton passed away in 1993.
And I found this mini-documentary released by NASA this week, featuring NASA's chief historian discussing the Apollo-Soyuz spaceflight and its significance on this, the mission's 40th anniversary.
Here's a 25th anniversary at Christies... http://www.christies.com/lotfinder/watches/omega-a-fine-and-rare-18k-gold-5759184-details.aspx