There is the Glen Research Centre in Ohio, but that is not the part of the story that does not add up. NASA did get radial dial watches in 1978 but the cases were made by the Star Watch Company to comply with USA made parts, and the radial dials were also unique.

Why would Omega provide a standard mock up watch? It does not really add up. And, apart from the missing movement there is nothing unusual about it as far as I can see?

Even if it came with strong NASA provenance I don't see the value in it.

 

Also Wright-Patterson AFB.

Tom

 

Interesting.
This watch is is being sold by "hessfineauctions"
Hess has physical 2 locations, one being in St. Petersburg FL where I live and the location is about 5 min away from my house, which is where this "watch" is located.
I may have to go in there and ask them....WTF?
They are an authorized Omega dealer, and last time I was in there the watchmaker was appraising a VERY nice pre-moon.

 

As an aside, would love to know when we see the words "prototype" or "conspiracy theory," how many of them actually turn out to be true?

 

Sometimes they pan out.

 

Waaw ... " Rare " , " NASA " and " Prototype " in one sentence... oh yes also " Speedmaster "

 

If they have a watchmaker and they are an AD someone dropped the ball in dating it.

One the other hand the DNN and almost NOS case and dial are nice parts.

 

Yeah I sort of want to go check it out this weekend if I have the chance...
Just because.

 

I wanted to point out that the case makers mark is different than most 78's. Some quick research shows most were HF cases. What is this case makers mark?

 

Found a post regarding the same mark in the case back. However no answer to what it is. https://omegaforums.net/threads/late-80s-speedmaster-case-manufacturer.56867/

 

L'orologio in questione ha la stessa cassa montata su tutti gli Omega Speedmaster Radiali "civili" (Alaska Project 3) visti ad oggi.
Pertanto non sarei così sicuro , come dite , che sia un fake.
Questo è il mio del quale allego foto.
Buona giornata,
Massimiliano

 

The watch in question has the same case mounted on all the "civilian" Omega Speedmaster Radials (Alaska Project 3) seen to date.
Therefore I would not be so sure, as you say, that it is a fake.
This is mine of which I attach photos.
Good day,
Massimiliano

I don't think the case maker is unusual for a -78. Did any other case maker have a -78 apart from The Star Watch Co.? The NASA connection is unclear though.

Very nice watch, do you have an EOA for it?

 

I have had other 1978 with HF case if I well remember.
Edit : there are no HF case Speedmanster from 1978 , I was in error.

 

Lets see a photograph of your EOA with serial blurred out. Radial dials escaped the spare parts bin due to an omega watchmaker saving them. If it was actually delivered to NASA it would have a star watch case and the special serial engravings. My star case never got delivered, so it lacks nasa engravings.

 

Hahahha so true !

 

Non facciamo confusione.
Parlando degli Alaska Project 3 , gli unici a riportare incisione sul fondello(assegnazione) sono i 56 orologi ordinati dalla NASA e consegnati dalla Omega per mezzo dei suoi distributori americani alla NASA.
Questi 56 orologi per motivi (sintetizzando al massimo) "patriottici" furono assemblati utilizzando casse prodotte dalla Star Case , azienda americana ben nota per la produzione di casse per orologi .
Come normale che sia quando si parla di produzioni speciali , la Omega produsse alcuni quadranti Radiali in più rispetto ai 56 ordinati (e consegnati).
Queste poche decine(?) Di quadranti risultano ad oggi essere montate su casse NON Star Case , tutte del 1978 e tutti con movimento incluso in un seriale ben preciso e non vendute in US.
Di più al momento non so .
Il mio orologio non è assolutamente in vendita pertanto per motivi di privacy non intendo mostrare il EOA.
Grazie per la comprensione.

 

Or as google translate puts it:


Let's not get confused.
Speaking of the Alaska Project 3, the only ones to have engraved on the caseback (assignment) are the 56 watches ordered by NASA and delivered by Omega through its American distributors to NASA.
These 56 "patriotic" motifs were assembled using cases produced by the Star Case, an American company well known for the production of watch cases.
As normal as it is when it comes to special productions, Omega produced some more Radial dials than the 56 ordered (and delivered).
These few tens (?) Of dials are now mounted on NON Star Case cases, all from 1978 and all with movement included in a very precise serial and not sold in the US.
More at the moment I don't know.
My watch is absolutely not for sale therefore for privacy reasons I do not intend to show the EOA.
Thanks for understanding.

 

Your only 3 posts within almost 5 years and all of them in this single thread makes me believe you are at least convinced of what you say...

 

For those wondering why Star Watch Case Co made Speedmaster cases, the watches acquired by NASA had to be at least 50% Made in USA.

How that was determined, I don't know. Perhaps by material cost?

Tom

 

Esattamente ,la publica opinione faceva pressione sul fatto che gli astronauti dovessero essere equipaggiati con strumenti made in US.
Per questo le casse le fece Star Case.
Immagino che i movimenti forniti da Omega alla NASA dovessero essere assolutamente " made in Switzerland" e ben controllati in Svizzera prima della spedizione in US.