The Moon Watch - 1978 Selection Trails
The issue of which watch to use in the space program was quiet for a few years, but then in 1976
Bulova expressed interest in again trying to quality as NASA's watch of choice.
Again NASA set up testing trails where the following tests were conducted :-
- Vacuum
- Low Temperature
- Pressure
- Vibration
- Acceleration
- Salt Fog
- Humidity
- Shock Test
Bulova submitted one chronograph and Omega submitted three separate chronographs.
The Bulova chronograph failed to secure compliance, when one watch failed the salt fog test,
and all three failed the vacuum test.
The Omega chronographs tested better with the Omega Speedmaster again rating the highest technical score.
It is important to note that it was the same model that scored highest on these tests as the models that were originally tested in 1962.
The title of Moon Watch rests solely with the Omega Speedmaster or as it is known now, the Omega Speedmaster Professional.
The word professional was added to the name of the Omega Speedmaster watch in 1965 by Omega.
The story is even more interesting, as the original moon watch, the omega speedmaster worn by Buzz Aldrin on the
Apollo 11 mission went missing when it was sent with other items to the Smithsonian Institute for display.
The watch disappeared on transfer from NASA to the Institute along with several of Aldrins medals that were also
ear marked for display.
The watch may have resurfaced recently, read part VI for more details.
