„The Eagle has landed“. We still have this radio message ringing in our ears, sent to us from 400'000 kilometres away as the Apollo 11 successfully landed on the moon on 20 July 1969. Only one day later, it returned. Already the fact that the lunar module started was - when taken into consideration how high into the sky it went, it’s easier to formulate this - nearly a work of providence. 

Based on the fourth generation of the Speedmaster models from the late 1960s, Omega has added some historically relevant design elements; be it the slight elevation on the dial, the somewhat lower situated sub-dials, or the famous “dot over 90” on the anodized aluminium bezel. Also, the bracelet that is made of five curved and alternatingly polished and brushed links per row impresses not only with its design, but also with its wearing comfort. The vintage-style clasp rounds off the whole thing impeccably. This version with a sapphire glass and a sapphire glass back has the perfect features for an everyday watch and allows an unobstructed view of the fabulous movement. Apart from the version with hesalite glass, there is probably no other modern Speedmaster that is closer to the original Moonwatch. Thanks to its timeless design and neutral tones, this timepiece can be worn in a casual or elegant style and is extremely versatile. On a stainless-steel bracelet or with a NATO or leather strap – this legend proves itself again and again, no matter how, no matter when. 

„WE therefore commit their bodies to the deep...“. If things would have gone wrong, the world would have heard these words out of the mouth of a ghost. They are the words from the 1789 U.S. Book of Common Prayer meant for burial at sea. 

So ‘praise the lord!’ that it did not come to a burial at sea on the moon (which would, in a way, have been appropriate, as there are many ‘mares’ or ‘marias’ on the moon). And this because: the ignition of the ascent engine functioned; the machine worked as planned. That it had merely been ‘planned’ and not tested has to do with the fact that when the extremely corrosive fuel passed through the pipes, it immediately made the ascent engine unusable. So, they only had the one emergency run and no trial. If Aldrin wouldn’t have found the black switch from the circuit breaker on the floor, it wouldn’t even have come to an ignition of the engine*. This switch had broken off and while the Mission Control was trying to figure out how to change the fuse, Aldrin stuck his pen in the circuit – and it worked! He signalled to Houston: „Hey, we got a circuit! We got the power”.

„The Eagle“ ascended and after a short flight it reached the Columbia space shuttle, where Michael Collins was eagerly awaiting them. And so it goes that we encounter in this story – which does not really lack heroes – possibly the greatest hero: Michael Collins. He was completely on his own and entirely clueless. During every orbit of our satellite, he didn’t even have radio contact to earth for 48 minutes. What would have happened if the engine of the Eagle did not ignite correctly. The two men on the moon would have been lost and Collins would have had to fly the Columbia back on his own. One cannot imagine the last words exchanged between him and Armstrong and Aldrin. But anyway, everything worked out and the entire crew returned to earth in one piece. That there was a lot of luck involved is something also confirmed by rational people such as the software engineer Margaret Hamilton (yes, there were also women who were significantly involved in the venture), she said: „We had to find a way and we did. Looking back, we were the luckiest people in the world; there was no choice but to be pioneers” (Margaret Hamilton).

The beautiful Speedmaster “35th Anniversary of Apollo 11” was launched. The limited watch features an image of the Apollo 11 “mission patch” on its case back. An eagle is landing on the moon with an olive branch in his claws (as a sign for the peaceful intentions of the mission), in the background is the Earth half lit up by the sun. Actually, it would be about time to make a special edition of the Speedmaster in line with the Motto of „The Eagle has started“. The pen industry didn’t use the story of bypassing the circuit switch for their marketing. Even though their contribution to the success of the venture can definitely be compared with that of the Speedmaster for the Apollo 13. But maybe that’s a good thing. We don’t want to think what would have happened if people all over the world would have started to stick pens in their fuse boxes. And yes, there is the SPACE PEN by Fisher, but that’s another story. 

From the original in German by Bruno Pfaff