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Apollo-Soyuz
·Hi everyone,
"Soyuz and Apollo are shaking hands now! " this sentence was pronounced on July 17, 1975 by Commander Stafford of Apollo 18.
However, the story began a couple of years earlier, when the Russian crew of Soyuz 19 (Aleksey A.- Leonove Valery - N. Kubasov) visited the Johnson Space Center in Houston (USA) in 1973 to organize a unique space mission. After years of competition, in all sectors, this initiative was a real change of course for these two nations that opened the doors to an international space collaboration.
In conclusion, July 17th , 1975, 45 years ago, is remembered as an epochal turning point in the space race because it managed to bring the USA and the USSR together.
2020 will be remembered for Omega's little fans and collectors as the year when OMEGA decided to clarify, I hope not definitively, this long-standing issue that has upset many owners of Apollo Soyuz out of batch watches for years.
A-S out of batch watches have deserved a place in Omega's history for too long; firstly because the idea came from De Marchi's (Omega's authorized distrubutor) sales department to make this particular watch, and secondly because too many questions have not yet been answered. In my opinion it would have been fairer to pronounce only when some concrete answer had arrived and supported by documentation.
Now, after 45 years, it would be helpful to understand why OMEGA has decided to include this unexpected and important clarification about A-S out of batch watches in its new Archive Extracts; a clarification that has always been denied. Was it a ploy to cut through the rumors surrounding this watch or have important new discoveries emerged?
it makes no difference because we will never find out precisely.
Personal consideration: "it's as if the official A-S and the A-S out of batch have reached out their hands but the handshake is still a long way off".
The following clarification has satisfied many but not all collectors and enthusiasts, but this is proof that there was an agreement between OMEGA and the De Marchi distributor to make the Apollo-Soyuz out of batch.
I am sorry to say this but this statement, even though it comes 45 years later, is too hasty and I think it was approved by someone who denies the evidence.
If OMEGA had wondered how the F.lli De Marchi's were able to identify the case back numbers to make the missing engravings, it could never have fallen into such an inaccurate statement.
OMEGA contributors claims to have sent Apollo-Soyuz 400 Apollo-Soyuz to the Italian De Marchi Distributor, and it is clear that Omega, with the new statement pictured above, confirms that the De Marchi distributor has engraved the remaining case back numbers received from OMEGA CH, i.e. 400 to 500.
A small but important detail; OMEGA's Archive Extracts have revealed the authenticity of some of the Apollo Soyuz cases numbered 470 to 479 inclusive. Once again OMEGA contradicts itself.
In addition, the new indication, written in OMEGA's Exctract d'Archive, confirms that the De Marks were fortunate enough to fit into the "holes" left by mistake by OMEGA (specifically numbered 200-299 and others 400-500).
Is that really how it happened...?
Below is the jump in the numbers of the movements for the first 100 engravings
I hope my statements and the results of my research have not bored or offended anyone. I am open to any constructive criticism. I have no resentment either towards OMEGA or those collectors who accused me of being frustrated with buying the wrong Apollo-Soyuz.
The search for truth continues...
In Italy, "the limited edition watch" has always exceeded sales expectations and this was also clear to De Marchi's sales department, which proposed to OMEGA the creation of other watches for the Italian market only, such as two steel and gold Speedmasters with many special features. It was 1988.
OMEGA, for this special production reserved for the Italian market only, released an Archive Extract with the following specification: "Limited edition of xxx pieces for the Italian market".
Today, I would like to discuss in more detail the year of production and the initial equipment of the Apollo Soyuz.
· Year of Production
At official events and especially in the "VINTAGE" section of OMEGA's official website, 1975 is indicated as the year of birth of the Apollo-Soyuz watch.
Here are a few examples:
So OMEGA says that :
- The production of Apollo-Soyuz watches dates back to 1975
- All ARCHIVE EXTRACTS issued by Omega specify that the production of the official Apollo-Soyuz watches dates back to 1976.
- Apollo-Soyuz movements have serial numbers between 39,180,000 and 39,181,000.
it is clear that these three statements are inconsistent with each other.
The following Apollo-Soyuz watches, sold at Antiquorum auctions in 2004 and 2007, do NOT belong to a 1975 or 1976 production:
- Lot No. 247 Hotel Noga Hilton, Geneva, 24th April 2004 No. 32,006,960.
- Lot No. 234 Geneva, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Du Rhône, 15th April 2007 No. 45,585,460
- Lot No. 19 Geneva, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Du Rhône, 15th April 2007 No. 39,927,934
The watches sold at various online auctions and at Sotheby's and Christie's auctions since 2010 belong to a 1976 production; all OMEGA's Archive Extracts confirm this date.
The following is a summary of the date:
- Lot No. 367 Geneva, 8th May 2010 No. 39,181,098.
- Lot No. 28 New York, 15 Dec 2015 No. 39,181,098 (back plate No. 209)
- iCollector Auctions, 14 Dec 2014 No. 39,181,272 (case back No. 333)
- Lot 10 Sotheby's Londos, 25 Sept 2018 No. 39,181,251 (Caseback No. 342)
- Lot 1034 Fortuna Auctions, 2018 No. 39,181,034 (case back No. 305)
That said:
- Is it fair to go on saying that OMEGA Apollo-Soyuz watches are a 1975 production ?
- or is it more correct to confirm that the movements in the range 39,180,000 to 39,181,000 are a 1975 production and therefore the Omega Archive Extracts are incorrect because they indicate that they are a 1976 production ?
In my opinion, to continue to say that the production of the Apollo-Soyuz belongs to the year 1975 is further confusing as it is known that 1975 has always been associated (and confirmed by OMEGA's Archive Extracts) with the production of the Apollo-Soyuz Out of Batch.
· Initial Equipment
OMEGA is unable to clarify the simplest aspect; the equipment of Apollo-Soyuz watches.
The BECUCCI box factory in Bologna worked with several Swiss watch manufacturers and made several boxes for OMEGA watches, for example:
- Constellation (yellow or red cloth)
- Geneve (yellow or red cloth)
- De Ville (green cloth)
- Seamaster (blue/purple cloth)
Here are some photos:
( the photos are indicative; on the OMEGA website, in the Vintage section, photographs of these watches were not available )
It seems that Apollo-Soyuz inherited the watch box shown above, the only difference being that the inscriptions of the various models "Constellation", "Geneve" or "De Ville" were replaced by the inscription "OMEGA".
Apollo-Soyuz watches were delivered to customers in a transparent bakelite box produced by Scatolificio BECUCCI in Bologna.
The watch was accompanied by the usual OMEGA warranty card where the reference and movement number were indicated on the top. It appears that there were no other documents and/or patches relating to the mission.
It is not important whether the decision to assign the same box to five different watch models was made by the Italian De Marchi Distributor or OMEGA CH, the point is that this box was not exclusive to the Apollo-Soyuz model.
It is curious to note that some Apollo-Soyuz watches are contained in boxes with the name of a different watch, such as "Geneve".
I would like to thank Mr Petros Protopapas of OMEGA for not interrupting his research and goodwill in making this important statement; this watch is part of a batch transformed by OMEGA's authorized distributor into an APOLLO SOYUZ commemorative model.
I conclude by renewing the crux of the matter:
- It is curious that Omega has created such a unique watch and it has reserved a batch of specific movements for this model without matching them to the number engraved on the caseback
- OMEGA contributors has confirmed that there were 400 watches shipped to the Italian distributor De Marchi, but has not yet explained the existence of the official Apollo-Soyuz watches No. 006 and 477 accompanied by the Omega Archive Extract.
Friends and collectors had suggested that I spend my free time in other ways because OMEGA A-S was already clear to everyone and that OMEGA would never change its position. Some people called me a visionary, some people called me a liar, but after this last announcement, the total number of Apollo-Soyuz production parts on OMEGA's official website is still 500 and that basically means two things:
a) there is only one family of Apollo Soyuz recognized by the engraved case backs (001-500).
or
b) there are two families of Apollo Soyuz; the first with movements between 39.180.860 and 39.181.389. The second, on the other hand, has different series movements from those of the first series, but both families have progressive numerical engravings on the back that refer to the watch number (001-500).
https://www.omegawatches.com/planet-omega/60th-anniversary-speedmaster/apollo-soyuz-1975
Mr. Flavio Bertolina, a member of the staff of the De Marchi company between the 70s and 80s, says:
“OMEGA sent its assembled watches to the De Marchi Distributor in Turin and in the periods of greatest market demand, OMEGA sent also watches to be assembled.”
Mr. Flavio Bertolina does not remember if this activity concerned the Apollo-Soyuz watches.
Maybe during these high market request De Marchi Distributor didn't assambly correctly the watches; could be possible?
to posterity the arduous sentence
Thanks for your attention
"Soyuz and Apollo are shaking hands now! " this sentence was pronounced on July 17, 1975 by Commander Stafford of Apollo 18.
However, the story began a couple of years earlier, when the Russian crew of Soyuz 19 (Aleksey A.- Leonove Valery - N. Kubasov) visited the Johnson Space Center in Houston (USA) in 1973 to organize a unique space mission. After years of competition, in all sectors, this initiative was a real change of course for these two nations that opened the doors to an international space collaboration.
In conclusion, July 17th , 1975, 45 years ago, is remembered as an epochal turning point in the space race because it managed to bring the USA and the USSR together.
2020 will be remembered for Omega's little fans and collectors as the year when OMEGA decided to clarify, I hope not definitively, this long-standing issue that has upset many owners of Apollo Soyuz out of batch watches for years.
A-S out of batch watches have deserved a place in Omega's history for too long; firstly because the idea came from De Marchi's (Omega's authorized distrubutor) sales department to make this particular watch, and secondly because too many questions have not yet been answered. In my opinion it would have been fairer to pronounce only when some concrete answer had arrived and supported by documentation.
Now, after 45 years, it would be helpful to understand why OMEGA has decided to include this unexpected and important clarification about A-S out of batch watches in its new Archive Extracts; a clarification that has always been denied. Was it a ploy to cut through the rumors surrounding this watch or have important new discoveries emerged?
it makes no difference because we will never find out precisely.
Personal consideration: "it's as if the official A-S and the A-S out of batch have reached out their hands but the handshake is still a long way off".
The following clarification has satisfied many but not all collectors and enthusiasts, but this is proof that there was an agreement between OMEGA and the De Marchi distributor to make the Apollo-Soyuz out of batch.
I am sorry to say this but this statement, even though it comes 45 years later, is too hasty and I think it was approved by someone who denies the evidence.
If OMEGA had wondered how the F.lli De Marchi's were able to identify the case back numbers to make the missing engravings, it could never have fallen into such an inaccurate statement.
OMEGA contributors claims to have sent Apollo-Soyuz 400 Apollo-Soyuz to the Italian De Marchi Distributor, and it is clear that Omega, with the new statement pictured above, confirms that the De Marchi distributor has engraved the remaining case back numbers received from OMEGA CH, i.e. 400 to 500.
A small but important detail; OMEGA's Archive Extracts have revealed the authenticity of some of the Apollo Soyuz cases numbered 470 to 479 inclusive. Once again OMEGA contradicts itself.
In addition, the new indication, written in OMEGA's Exctract d'Archive, confirms that the De Marks were fortunate enough to fit into the "holes" left by mistake by OMEGA (specifically numbered 200-299 and others 400-500).
Is that really how it happened...?
Below is the jump in the numbers of the movements for the first 100 engravings
I hope my statements and the results of my research have not bored or offended anyone. I am open to any constructive criticism. I have no resentment either towards OMEGA or those collectors who accused me of being frustrated with buying the wrong Apollo-Soyuz.
The search for truth continues...
In Italy, "the limited edition watch" has always exceeded sales expectations and this was also clear to De Marchi's sales department, which proposed to OMEGA the creation of other watches for the Italian market only, such as two steel and gold Speedmasters with many special features. It was 1988.
OMEGA, for this special production reserved for the Italian market only, released an Archive Extract with the following specification: "Limited edition of xxx pieces for the Italian market".
Today, I would like to discuss in more detail the year of production and the initial equipment of the Apollo Soyuz.
· Year of Production
At official events and especially in the "VINTAGE" section of OMEGA's official website, 1975 is indicated as the year of birth of the Apollo-Soyuz watch.
Here are a few examples:
So OMEGA says that :
- The production of Apollo-Soyuz watches dates back to 1975
- All ARCHIVE EXTRACTS issued by Omega specify that the production of the official Apollo-Soyuz watches dates back to 1976.
- Apollo-Soyuz movements have serial numbers between 39,180,000 and 39,181,000.
it is clear that these three statements are inconsistent with each other.
The following Apollo-Soyuz watches, sold at Antiquorum auctions in 2004 and 2007, do NOT belong to a 1975 or 1976 production:
- Lot No. 247 Hotel Noga Hilton, Geneva, 24th April 2004 No. 32,006,960.
- Lot No. 234 Geneva, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Du Rhône, 15th April 2007 No. 45,585,460
- Lot No. 19 Geneva, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Du Rhône, 15th April 2007 No. 39,927,934
The watches sold at various online auctions and at Sotheby's and Christie's auctions since 2010 belong to a 1976 production; all OMEGA's Archive Extracts confirm this date.
The following is a summary of the date:
- Lot No. 367 Geneva, 8th May 2010 No. 39,181,098.
- Lot No. 28 New York, 15 Dec 2015 No. 39,181,098 (back plate No. 209)
- iCollector Auctions, 14 Dec 2014 No. 39,181,272 (case back No. 333)
- Lot 10 Sotheby's Londos, 25 Sept 2018 No. 39,181,251 (Caseback No. 342)
- Lot 1034 Fortuna Auctions, 2018 No. 39,181,034 (case back No. 305)
That said:
- Is it fair to go on saying that OMEGA Apollo-Soyuz watches are a 1975 production ?
- or is it more correct to confirm that the movements in the range 39,180,000 to 39,181,000 are a 1975 production and therefore the Omega Archive Extracts are incorrect because they indicate that they are a 1976 production ?
In my opinion, to continue to say that the production of the Apollo-Soyuz belongs to the year 1975 is further confusing as it is known that 1975 has always been associated (and confirmed by OMEGA's Archive Extracts) with the production of the Apollo-Soyuz Out of Batch.
· Initial Equipment
OMEGA is unable to clarify the simplest aspect; the equipment of Apollo-Soyuz watches.
The BECUCCI box factory in Bologna worked with several Swiss watch manufacturers and made several boxes for OMEGA watches, for example:
- Constellation (yellow or red cloth)
- Geneve (yellow or red cloth)
- De Ville (green cloth)
- Seamaster (blue/purple cloth)
Here are some photos:
( the photos are indicative; on the OMEGA website, in the Vintage section, photographs of these watches were not available )
It seems that Apollo-Soyuz inherited the watch box shown above, the only difference being that the inscriptions of the various models "Constellation", "Geneve" or "De Ville" were replaced by the inscription "OMEGA".
Apollo-Soyuz watches were delivered to customers in a transparent bakelite box produced by Scatolificio BECUCCI in Bologna.
The watch was accompanied by the usual OMEGA warranty card where the reference and movement number were indicated on the top. It appears that there were no other documents and/or patches relating to the mission.
It is not important whether the decision to assign the same box to five different watch models was made by the Italian De Marchi Distributor or OMEGA CH, the point is that this box was not exclusive to the Apollo-Soyuz model.
It is curious to note that some Apollo-Soyuz watches are contained in boxes with the name of a different watch, such as "Geneve".
I would like to thank Mr Petros Protopapas of OMEGA for not interrupting his research and goodwill in making this important statement; this watch is part of a batch transformed by OMEGA's authorized distributor into an APOLLO SOYUZ commemorative model.
I conclude by renewing the crux of the matter:
- It is curious that Omega has created such a unique watch and it has reserved a batch of specific movements for this model without matching them to the number engraved on the caseback
- OMEGA contributors has confirmed that there were 400 watches shipped to the Italian distributor De Marchi, but has not yet explained the existence of the official Apollo-Soyuz watches No. 006 and 477 accompanied by the Omega Archive Extract.
Friends and collectors had suggested that I spend my free time in other ways because OMEGA A-S was already clear to everyone and that OMEGA would never change its position. Some people called me a visionary, some people called me a liar, but after this last announcement, the total number of Apollo-Soyuz production parts on OMEGA's official website is still 500 and that basically means two things:
a) there is only one family of Apollo Soyuz recognized by the engraved case backs (001-500).
or
b) there are two families of Apollo Soyuz; the first with movements between 39.180.860 and 39.181.389. The second, on the other hand, has different series movements from those of the first series, but both families have progressive numerical engravings on the back that refer to the watch number (001-500).
https://www.omegawatches.com/planet-omega/60th-anniversary-speedmaster/apollo-soyuz-1975
Mr. Flavio Bertolina, a member of the staff of the De Marchi company between the 70s and 80s, says:
“OMEGA sent its assembled watches to the De Marchi Distributor in Turin and in the periods of greatest market demand, OMEGA sent also watches to be assembled.”
Mr. Flavio Bertolina does not remember if this activity concerned the Apollo-Soyuz watches.
Maybe during these high market request De Marchi Distributor didn't assambly correctly the watches; could be possible?
to posterity the arduous sentence
Thanks for your attention
