I always thought it's been weird that Omega hasn't recently issued a Speedy commemorating the Space Shuttle. Regardless of whether people think the program was a success or a bust, it goes without saying that the Speedmaster was an integral part of their missions throughout the fleet's three decades of service.

What do you all think? Personally, I'd buy one with this engraved on the caseback in a heartbeat.

Cheers,

Alex

 

Speedmaster and STS = Alaska III classic black dial with radial markings for the subdials... only way to go to commemorate the shuttle era...

 

The BA’s from the early 80’s the German market ones... the first Speedy Tuesday kinda.

Problem is as noted in another thread is there really a tie in with the shuttle program?

 

Of course there was a tie in with the STS - Space Transportation System as Omega had to requalify the Speedmaster chronograph in 1978.
Omega got a lot of feedback direct from the astronauts so the recertification of the Alaska III went smoothly as NASA ignored the battery driven Alaska IV LCD and Tuning Fork Speedsonic... although the latter also came with a radial dial but the battery was the weakest link.
Astronauts wanted an easy to read chronograph, so the radial dial was introduced together with the practical 60-minutes bezel as a Tachymètre had no use in space... Although a number of such prototypes were made and worn by astronauts during training, (e.g. Worden & Brand), it remains a "mystery" why Omega didn't go through with that wonderful practical combination... although a search on this forum might reveal a possible reason
Hereunder two examples; STS-61C in 1986 and STS-53 in 1992
.

 

Great photos!

 

Love those radials.

 

I think I mentioned this before. The Speedy Tuesday # 1 with the black dial with white sub dials and Alaska III radial numbering does remind me of the Space Shuttle Orbiter. The same way the Apollo XI-45th reminds me of the Lunar module on the moon surface.

The STS link I created with the ST#1 was the emotional trigger for me to confirm the purchase last year. The initial phase of STS program was extremely inspiring to me during my youth

 

Do you think Omega will offer a Limited Edition Speedmaster commemorating the anniversary of the punch Buzz Aldrin landed on Bart Zibrel?

 

Yes, I believe so. I have heard a rumor that the first three minutes will be marked in blood red on the sub dial minute counter.

 

That would be cool.

Nice shot, Colonel Aldrin.

 

Haymaker to the jaw POW!

 

Win!

 

I enjoy the Buzz Aldrin video with Bill Burr's Podcast commentary played over it. - Sorry for any dirty language.

 

... You ain't seen nothing yet
.

 

Count me in!

 

Currently trying to find out which was the last Space Shuttle mission during which an Alaska III radial dial Speedmaster was worn...
Here's detail of such a radial dial speedy chronograph worn on the orange pumpkin space suit.
.

 

Maybe we could get a collectors edition of several LE watches commemorating famous punches?

The Prezza Seamaster Egg-coloured dial would be a highlight.

 

Is that Paul Pluta?

 

Not unlike, though I think his language is a little less colourful. In public at least.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Prescott