Simply Abu Dhabi Magazine XIX

1 0 9 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I Fourth Generation, 1964 The fourth-generation Speedmaster Professional was the first timepiece in the moniker’s long extra-terrestrial history to be nicknamed the Moonwatch. Unaware of NASA’s adoption of the watch for its official purposes, the OMEGA headquarters continued to evolve the timepiece. The right side of the newly dubbed ST 105.012 model casing was slightly enlarged for extra protection, giving it an asymmetrical shape, which would later prove iconic. Evolved again slightly in 1967 into the 145.012 model, this Speedmaster would be the last to use the time- and space-tested calibre 321 movement. It was this Speedmaster that would keep perfect time during all six lunar landings, including the last mission – Apollo 17 – to land on the moon. Third Generation, 1963 In October 1964, OMEGA’s North American agent furnished NASA with several examples of the ST 105.003 model of the Speedmaster. After undergoing perhaps the toughest trials a watch has ever had to endure, the Speedmaster emerged as the only timepiece not to suffer catastrophic failure. As such, NASA branded the ST 105.003 “officially certified” for its manned space programme. The model reached further fame when it was worn for the first time outside the space capsule on the wrist of astronaut Edward White on 3 June 1965 during the Gemini 4 mission. s s