Does the word Professional on the Speedy Pro dial refer to passing NASA's tests for space flight?

Which leads me to why I'm asking.... if so, why does the Gold 50th (310.60.42.50.99.001) say Professional if the 3861 has never been approved by NASA?

Or am I just bored and making up questions???

 

I thought professional refers to the shape of the case which naturally guards the crown.

 

I agree with OP that it's to do with NASA approval for flight qualified watch. And that's only on hesalite crystal Moonwatch and not for sapphire crystal Speedmaster watch.

 

Hmmm, then what makes a Seamaster Professional a, well, "Professional"?

 

I think Omega uses the term ‘Professional’ as a grade. As in high grade. But they didn’t apply it everywhere. A speedy broadarrow 3594.50 is not referred to as ‘Professional’ but had the same case and movement as the speedy pro of the day.

 

Professional = costs more. Simples.

 

Wonder who at NASA qualified the Speedmaster Professional Mark II for manned space flight or the Mark iii?


Who was that, carving out the status of the one and only truly legitimated Moonwatch?

 

It started with the change to the asymmetric case design with the 105.012. Not due to NASA certification.

 

It was small changes mostly the guards around the chrono pushers to prevent them getting snagged that earned the professional.

Professional is used to denote a higher grade fit for professional use across the lines.

 

Other brands do similar. Seiko with Prospex comes to mind.

 

And a Rolex is 'Superlative'

 

Is there an amateur Speedy?

 

Yes, the Speedy Reduced

 

I think that just refers to time keeping -/+ 2 Not other features.

 

Is the Professional called Enlarged?

 

groucho is just here to make ironic jokes today...

 

Not ironic jokes...lame ones.

 

Yup, nothing to do with NASA. Even though that would have made sense.

 

Weren't they labelled as "Superlative" prior to the tightening of the mean rate spec?

 

Yes when it was cosc spec.