Favorite Watch Friday.

I kind of like watches.  Well, more than kind of.  I really, really like watches.  I’m not crazy or obsessive or anything, but I really have an appreciation for great watches.  Sure, I’ll read WatchTime magazine.  Sure, I’ll surf the used pieces on eBay.  It’s a sickness, and I’m infected.

I thought it would be fun (at least for me) to share with the Life Tussle audience some of my favorite watches.  I’ll just keep it simple and give you a little background and why I like it.  I’ll even throw in a photo.  Come on, it will be fun.

So, for the first Favorite Watch Friday post, I’ve selected a classic…

Omega Speedmaster

 

Basically a pilot chronograph, the Speedmaster comes in several versions including the Professional, Automatic, and the Broad Arrow shown above.  The manual-wound Speedmaster Professional holds the distinction of being the only watch approved by NASA for use in outer space, and the first watch (possibly only watch) on the moon.  Interestingly enough, when the Omega Speedmaster was given the status “Officially Certified Wristwatch For All Manned Space Missions,” they were not even aware of it.  NASA purchased watches from Omega, Rolex, Breitling, Bulova, Longines and Heuer without the manufacturers being made aware of the testing.  The Speedmaster was the only watch to pass all of the tests without any major discrepancies.  And the Speedmaster played a major role in the safe return of the crew of Apollo 13 as the chronograph function was used to manually time secondary rocket burns to bring the crippled spacecraft back to Earth.

I’ve personally owned two Omega Speedmasters, both of those Automatic models, and they were both great watches.  The only issue I had was that for my taste, they are a bit small.  The Professional and Broad Arrow models are a bit larger, and would likely suit my large watch tastes.  The case and bracelet are of very high standard and have nice detailing with polished and brushed surfaces.  The case is actually asymmetrical as the right side is thicker to provide protection for the pushers and crown.

Overall, it’s a very sporty watch that still looks great with a suit.  It’s design, quality, and fit and finish are superb.  Its history with pilots and astronauts is indisputable.  And somehow, it’s still not a watch that shows up on every other Joe’s wrist.  But a Speedy on your wrist will get instant cred with people who know.