Which watch?

[BarryD]

They may be Breitling Cosmonautes.

As an aside, I'm a little surprised they go with the original version of the X-33, and not the later "Speedmaster Skywalker" edition. The latter was released around 2014 (may have been earlier for NASA types), so maybe they're wearing their original issue watches.

Wearing one of my Speedies today, as I track the lunar flyby.

View attachment 44757

 

[Citation3]

Are these Omega Moon Watches? I'm tasking you watch nerds to report back.

Watch and space nerd checking in.

Victor Glover is wearing the issued Omega Speedmaster X-33 Gen 2, a personal X-33 Gen 2 (on bracelet), and also a Breitling Navitimer with the 24-hour scale, and a Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch that he just got. Christina Koch is wearing the issued Speedmaster X-33 Gen 2, a Breitling Navitimer, and her father’s Speedmaster Moonwatch. Jeremey Hansen is wearing the issued Speedmaster X-33 Gen 2, a Breitling Navitimer, and a Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon. Reis Wiseman is wearing the issued Omega Speedmaster X-33 Gen 2, a Breitling Navtimer, and an Omega Speedmaster.

 

[ChuckMK23]

Watch and space nerd checking in.

Victor Glover is wearing the issued Omega Speedmaster X-33 Gen 2, a personal X-33 Gen 2 (on bracelet), and also a Breitling Navitimer with the 24-hour scale, and a Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch that he just got. Christina Koch is wearing the issued Speedmaster X-33 Gen 2, a Breitling Navitimer, and her father’s Speedmaster Moonwatch. Jeremey Hansen is wearing the issued Speedmaster X-33 Gen 2, a Breitling Navitimer, and a Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon. Reis Wiseman is wearing the issued Omega Speedmaster X-33 Gen 2, a Breitling Navtimer, and an Omega Speedmaster.

That's pure @mad dog shit right there.

 

[Gatordev]

Thanks, Citation3. So what mission equipment did they have to leave home in order to lift all of those watches?

I was going to post that same picture that Chuck posted this morning, but he beat me to it. Meanwhile, my X-33 is still in Depot repair. Hopefully I'll get it back soon.

 

[Citation3]

Thanks, Citation3. So what mission equipment did they have to leave home in order to lift all of those watches.

There are a few watches onboard Artemis.

It reminds me of this brief conversation I found in the Apollo 14 mission transcripts that took place in the lunar module between Shepard and Mitchell who wore two Rolex GMT's as well as his Speedmaster for a total of three watches. Sheppard humorously points that fact out to him in the transcript below.

 

[ChuckMK23]

Al Shepard was notorious for his side gigs and cashing in on his position and notoriety - wouldn't surprise me if his watches ended up at auction after these flights.

 

[ChuckMK23]

Hot or not?

 

[Citation3]

Hot or not?

View attachment 44778

I’ll share my thought on the watch, and maybe not a popular one. Please don't flame me.

As a collector, I’ve owned several Aerospace squadron watches over the years. The Aerospace is a fantastic piece for these squadron watches, and I’ve always appreciated the strong connection to Naval aviation. While the watches I've owned have since moved on from my collection, I still have a lot of respect for what they represent, and enjoy seeing them on the wrists of pilots when I'm out and about working at Oceana or at events where senior aviators are present. As a watch guy, they are always great conversation starters.

Having owned a number of them, this particular example is a bit mundane compared to others Breitling has produced. One of Breitling’s strengths is their ability to create incredibly detailed dials. Some squadron pieces feature very intricate aircraft planforms, down to control surfaces and accurate colors, along with beautifully printed patches. This dial comes across as a bit simpler than what I know Breitling can produce.

That said, I understand there can be other considerations such as additional costs for colors and detail, group buy constraints, and the challenge of getting enough JO's together to pony up a couple of grand for a watch.

I don't want to love it because I don't, and I don't want to hate it because I know it carries a personal connection to the owners accomplishment and pride, but it is one of the lesser attractive squadron watches I've have seen.

I’m not sure where Breitling stands in this game right now. It feels like their pricing has moved to a point that makes group projects harder to pull together, and the minimum requirements for a group buy seem quite high. Bremont appears to have stepped up and has filled the void left by Breitling, offering options that seem to resonate more with squadrons looking to create these kinds of pieces.

Probably more than the hot or not you were looking for...sorry!