Moon watch in museum

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Alan Walker

·Sep 16, 2026

I was in the London science museum today looking at the Apollo 10 command vehicle. They display a “space Speedmaster” . Looked strange to me. Looked to me like a symmetrical case, short stoppers and 24 crown but with a 145.022 dial. Painted Omega logo. Dot by 90 and wide T marks. Interesting Velcro strap with metal Omega name. Also “Professional”. I might write to the museum to enquire its provenance.
What do you think ?
Photo attached

 

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Mark020

·Sep 16, 2026·not the sharpest pencil in the ΩF drawer

Probably spoilt by a factory service

 

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ZWD

·Sep 16, 2026

NASA watches were serviced and did not maintain period correct parts. Always possible it is a "prop" as well. The strap is curious as its made to look like the NASA strap but has the logo added.

For a really doosy of any example here is a Schirra's watch from Gemini 6.
https://airandspace.si.edu/collection-objects/chronograph-schirra-gemini-6/nasm_A19771143000

 

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MJR

·Sep 17, 2026

Alan
I have often wondered about this watch too, There is some photos here on the collection details but no further details on the watch m.

https://collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/objects/co8064346/omega-speedmaster-watch

 

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ZWD

·Sep 18, 2026

The above link lists the object as "1977-817/1"
This does line up at least with the main release of NASA Speedmasters to the Smithsonian in 1977.

Im definitely curious what the connection the watch has to the Apollo 10 display if any, but its calalog name/date does suggest it might be a real item from NASA.

 

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Vinz Clortho

·Sep 18, 2026

Probably would think the originals are under lock and key in secure locations. The ones on display are most likely prop ones which look "close enough" where most of the normies don't analyze every detail and it passes for the purpose.

 

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MJR

·Sep 19, 2026

Looking further it was donated by Omega themselves in 1977.

As Vinz says I do think it’s sort of a representation and not sure it has any NASA providence. But given it sits next to actual Apollo 10 command module I would not be surprised it there was some connection to nasa not necessarily Apollo 10.

Sorry Vimz your comment amused me that the originals would be under lock and key when Harrison’s H5 Chronometer is on display in the same museum and would be worth probably 10s of millions and it sits next to actual Apollo 10 command module. Value would not stop them displaying even a moon worn Speedmaster but do think it’s a prop representation and not connected to Apollo programme. But do not really know.

 

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SpeedyPhill

·Sep 19, 2026

More on NASA and the 1965-1968 Omega Speedmaster wrist chronographs in my next talk!
https://www.fratellowatches.com/heres-what-happened-to-the-nasa-issued-speedmasters/

 

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Vinz Clortho

·Sep 19, 2026

M MJR

Looking further it was donated by Omega themselves in 1977.

As Vinz says I do think it’s sort of a representation and not sure it has any NASA providence. But given it sits next to actual Apollo 10 command module I would not be surprised it there was some connection to nasa not necessarily Apollo 10.

Sorry Vimz your comment amused me that the originals would be under lock and key when Harrison’s H5 Chronometer is on display in the same museum and would be worth probably 10s of millions and it sits next to actual Apollo 10 command module. Value would not stop them displaying even a moon worn Speedmaster but do think it’s a prop representation and not connected to Apollo programme. But do not really know.

It was a bit tongue-in-cheek as the curators of these exhibits look at the big picture and sure NASA had a bunch of Speedmasters which weren't flown they probably use as props unless in a case. Went to the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum and they had a one of the spacesuits with a Speedmaster on the cuff like the pictures. Looked at it and it looked off, especially when there was Glenn's or Buzz's mission one in a separate case.

Many of the ones for public display are probably prop watches of extras NASA had during that time or they ordered some display models without movements for the exhibits. Don't want the movers to be switching out watches and all of a sudden one pops up years later for an auction or take the chance some nut job decides to do smash and grab.

If it's close enough to fool 99% of the general public visiting, it fits the purpose.

 

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ZWD

·Mon. 2:12pm

The Smithsonian has Young's and Cernan's Apollo 10 Speedmasters cataloged.

Stafford seems to have worn a 105.003-64 that was flown on Gemini 6A, 9 & Apollo 10. This watch also seems to be cataloged at the Smithsonian as A19771144000 under Gemini 6 so its likely this watch has no real provenance relating to Apollo 10.

 

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Garden Veggies

·Mon. 3:53pm

ZWD

The Smithsonian has Young's and Cernan's Apollo 10 Speedmasters cataloged.

Stafford seems to have worn a 105.003-64 that was flown on Gemini 6A, 9 & Apollo 10. This watch also seems to be cataloged at the Smithsonian as A19771144000 under Gemini 6 so its likely this watch has no real provenance relating to Apollo 10.

which is so cool to see in person!

 

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nkhandekar

·Mon. 3:56pm

OP Alan Walker: Why don't you get in touch with the museum and read through the file? I am saying this as a museum worker who sees people request curatorial/conservation files all the time.

 

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rfortson

·Mon. 4:19pm

I worked at the Johnson Space Center in the Crew and Thermal Systems Division, the group that tested the watch originally and also developed the space suits. They had a dummy Speedmaster (just a case and a dial, no movement) for use in training and sizing. I used to hope that I could find a Speedmaster that had been declared as excess government equipment and I could pick it up for a song. 😁 No such luck, of course.

Most people at JSC aren't watch geeks, and they just see them as something the crew wears. I used to ask the flight crew equipment folks about the Speedmasters but, while they were still in the inventory (back then in the late 90's/early 00's) they weren't really issued much except for EVAs. Crew members got the X-33s for general mission wear.

I suspect a lot of the Speedmasters you see in museums are props. The ones at Space Center Houston are almost certainly props, though I don't have any inside knowledge one way or the other. I think they are just provided by Omega to promote the brand and add a touch of authenticity to the display. Of course, if the display is specifically about the Speedmaster, then yes, I'd expect it to be legit.

 

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pdxleaf

·Mon. 7:46pm·In Art We Trust

rfortson

I worked at the Johnson Space Center in the Crew and Thermal Systems Division, the group that tested the watch originally and also developed the space suits

That explains your space shuttle flown watch. 👍