In fact, it happened at least once: Romain Jerome Moon Dust DNA, with real Moon dust from a rock taken back to Earth by Apollo 11.
https://newatlas.com/romain-jeromes-moon-dust-dna-watch-collection-with-real-moon-dust/10887/
Given the relationship between NASA and Omega, I am confident that - if they truly intend to use Moon dust for the LE 50th Anniversary Apollo 11 Speedmaster - NASA will allow Omega to buy them some Moon dust, and do it.
Now pardon me to have read only a few of the 44 pages of this topic, from want I undersand, here some of the rumors we have for this edition:
- gold + steel
- rumor of 321 but some says it is confirmed that it will not be the case
- moon dust
- limited edition production, > 6000
- annoucement next week (between 14th and 17th of May)
Based on that, here my expectations
Not using the 321 for this very special edition, after having announcing they can reproduce it the same year of the anniversary? Does not make any sense... With this announcement, they knew the expectation to have it for the anniversary watch will be huge.
So for me, they will fit it with an upgraded 321 : at least with the new material, so silicon hair spring & titanium balance. And given what we had with the 3861 Moonshine Gold LE, they could go as far as fit it with the coaxial escapment. So in the end, maybe not the 321, but a "3321" Any other caliber choix would be a huge mistake. 3861 was the historically correct choice for the Moonshine Gold, "3321" would be the correct one for the Steel version. And it fits both rumors about the choosen caliber: a 321 that is not a 321.
BTW, Omega 321 resurrection was announced the 8th of January. 1969, January 8th: the Apollo 11 LM arrived at the Kenedy Space Center. Maybe I'm searching for clues too much
For the gold+steel, not sure what to do with it.. Maybe white gold? or an Apollo 11 / footprint medallion somewhere..
Moon dust is commercialy feasible as it was already done before, with an only 4-year old luxury brand... I think I'd like to see subcounters with moon dust, or even the whole dial. It could give it a slightly vintage look
I hope that for the rest, it will be close to the 105.012, DON bezel but with black ceramic, and opened case-back. Movement colour either "moondust gray" (in the spirit of what was done with the Apollo 8 Dark Side of the Moon) or the copper colour of the Omega movement back in these days.
In the end, a modern homage watch that looks close to the original moonwatch from front, with an equally nice modernized caliber, and some homage details visible in the back
Am I out of my mind with all this? or do some of you buy the idea?
For the production numbers of the limited edition, 1969 is the obvious choice but it could be too obvious, and too low given the demands. Another number could be choosen but each time, it had a meaning. They will need to justify it. I hope they won't chose a random number ending by 69.
Duration of the EVA of Apollo 11 was about 2h30, that is closed to 9000s. The time spent by the first watch of the Moon... could be a good choice. If we have to stays in the 6xxx, could they do something cool with the date? Maybe 6972 (69-07-20)?
Now for the announcement date. 18th of May would be a very good date for the announcement. It will the 50th anniversary of the launch of Apollo 10 which was the "dress rehearsal" mission of Apollo 11 (they did exactly all Apollo 11 did, except the powered descent to land). So announcing it for the "dress rehearsal" anniversary date (or the day before it because 18th is a Saturday), then make it available either the 16th of July or the 20th of July.
No idea about the box itself, but the model of the LM in the Moon would be great, and...
Moonfire! I have the standard edition, it is an awesome art book
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