Serious question. Other than the 321 movement and being "precursors", did any of the 2998's make it into space? Worn by astronauts? were NASA approved etc?

Thanks!

 

Walter Schirra wore a 2998-4. Google him.

 

Ok cool! Any others?

 

I can’t believe Omega haven't celebrated or monetised the Schirra 2998 in some way what with it being the first Omega in space. Not like them to miss an opportunity.

 

The 2998 predates NASA certification of an official time piece so astronauts wore their own watches. Schirra happened to think the Speedmaster was a good match for the task.

 

Hodinkee says it was a 5 or 6? Is it 100% confirmed he wore a 4?

 

It’s in the Omega museum and its serial number is known (Here is a picture) ...



Plus an infamous collector who tried to monetize this fact, but instead lost all grace he had with the powers that be, had a -4 whose SN was within 10 digits from Walter Schirras watch, according to the extract. Call that what you like.

 

@lexieb007
Before the Moonwatch Only book came out, I had Schirra's personal CK2998 listed as a -5, but it was a 2998-4
Here are the pre-Gemini era watches worn on American spaceflight missions.
Note the Speedmaster has always been hyped, but wristwatch-wise the July 1975 to April 1981 period is the most exciting (Russian flights only)
Check out our blog for photos: https://moonwatchuniverse.tumblr.com/archive

Mercury program
1962 MA-6 Friendship-7John Glenn wore a Heuer 2915 stopwatch strapped on his right forearm
1962 MA-7 Aurora-7Scott Carpenter wore a Breitling Navitimer Cosmonaute chronograph with 24 hours dial at left wrist (L)
1962 MA-8 Sigma-7 Walter Schirra wore his personal Omega Speedmaster CK2998-4 on his left wrist (L)
1963 MA-9 Faith-7 Gordon Cooper wore his personal Omega Speedmaster CK2998-4 on left (L) & his Accutron Astronaut watch at right wrist

 

Had Carpenter's watch kept the water out on splashdown, Omega and Breitling's respective history may have been very different.

 

Had he stayed in capsule as ordered on splashdown rather than get out into inflatable boat, the 806 may have been history’s moonwatch.

 

My point exactly. But it was an 809 in fact

 

Try to explain to all Moonwatch aficionados that their watches aren’t real Moonwatches

 

yep there is something pure (even)... about someone having the confidence to wear their own "personal" watch up in space rather than something hyped and "approved"...