Well they have to spread production over time and decide on priorities as the 50 years Apollo 11 is a very important event.
Moreover, the (over-) enthusiastic online Omega (Speedmaster) community might get bored or unable to cope with which one to buy with another "every-six-months" Speedmaster LE ...
Thanks for your thoughts and assessment Al. Bummer that Omega no longer posts these technical details on their extranet early, but I understand the need to stem leaks!!
Despite the coaxial escapement, does the movement still feature a hand-wound (as opposed to automatic) mainspring?
...unless the keep on pumping out better/nicer watches, and the fanatical collectors end up selling more body-parts...which appears to be the case...
Wow!! The short pushers are actually look like 105.012-66CB pushers. Could this be a clue that a stainless steel 105.012-66CB reissue is in the offering as either an anniversary edition or the first Ω321 model?
I have both the BA145.022-69 and this new one at home, and I have to say that the new one to me is nicer than the first one.
@rwelliot
Add Professional to the dial and You might be there, as the 105.012 Apollo 11 Speedmaster is the model to get the 1969-2019 tribute !
Omega is really unpredictable. They launched four limited edition Speedmasters in Japan for Olympic Games two years away at the moment. They can end up releasing 3 anniversary editions in 2019 and then another three next year celebrating that the 50th anniversary were yesteryear 😕
C cfracingIsn't rwelliot's rendition more like the 105.003 of Gene Cernan, that also went to the moon on Apollo XVII (last watch on the moon so far?), with the straight lugs, no crown guards, pre-42mm case? That's the one I would like.
I am in love with this watch. The original BA145.022 was actually one of the first Speedmaster watches that I saw in my early days of collecting since a friend had one (with the original box). This new Apollo XI 50th in gold has a number of things that I really love (2nd day of wearing, mind you), in addition to the original 1969 model: the solid and heavy bracelet, the bordeaux ceramic bezel, the hue of the Moonshine gold, the gold hands with black varnish inlays, the see-through caseback with lunar meteorite. The latter is simply great, to have something on the wrist that was actually on the Moon. The movement has a superb finish, a bit similar to the 1863, very pleasing on the eyes. Also cool: the 60 hours power reserve (50 if you turn on the chronograph). I also like the weight of the watch, with 210 grams much heavier than my 345.0802 or the BA145.022.
The price is 32K Swiss Francs ex 8% VAT (for Swiss market), which is quite a bit, but on the other hand, it is close to the price of a 40mm Rolex Day-Date (new). At SIHH I was shown a new Panerai 42mm Submersible in gold with a retail price of 28K and last week there was the introduction of the Breitling Premier Bentley model, for 27K. Both watches on leather straps. So compared to what's out there on the market, I think the price is fair. Nevertheless, it is a chunk of money and if you don't feel it is worth it, or you don't like gold, well, there's a ton of other models to choose from instead.
This watch is going to be difficult to take off...
I am in love with this watch. The original BA145.022 was actually one of the first Speedmaster watches that I saw in my early days of collecting since a friend had one (with the original box). This new Apollo XI 50th in gold has a number of things that I really love (2nd day of wearing, mind you), in addition to the original 1969 model: the solid and heavy bracelet, the bordeaux ceramic bezel, the hue of the Moonshine gold, the gold hands with black varnish inlays, the see-through caseback with lunar meteorite. The latter is simply great, to have something on the wrist that was actually on the Moon. The movement has a superb finish, a bit similar to the 1863, very pleasing on the eyes. Also cool: the 60 hours power reserve (50 if you turn on the chronograph). I also like the weight of the watch, with 210 grams much heavier than my 345.0802 or the BA145.022.
The price is 32K Swiss Francs ex 8% VAT (for Swiss market), which is quite a bit, but on the other hand, it is close to the price of a 40mm Rolex Day-Date (new). At SIHH I was shown a new Panerai 42mm Submersible in gold with a retail price of 28K and last week there was the introduction of the Breitling Premier Bentley model, for 27K. Both watches on leather straps. So compared to what's out there on the market, I think the price is fair. Nevertheless, it is a chunk of money and if you don't feel it is worth it, or you don't like gold, well, there's a ton of other models to choose from instead.
This watch is going to be difficult to take off...
