Quick review of the Omega Apollo 8
Quick review of the Omega Apollo 8
This is a watch I had been looking at since it came out in 2018 on the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 8 mission. I saw it again after losing my father last year, and when I saw the etched saying on the caseback of “we’ll see you on the other side”, I knew this was a watch I could buy to memorialize his loss.
I’ve always liked the idea of a ceramic case watch since I “wear” my watches and am not one to baby them. Mine get scratches. I tried on several of the other Dark side models with the automatic movements, and wasn’t a fan of how thick they were. The case is 44.25mm in diameter, with 21mm lug width, 49mm lug to lug, and 12mm thick.
This comes on a perforated strap with a tang buckle, but I special ordered a deployant clasp and strap too. I’ve seen the pictures of damaged ceramic cases, and I didn’t want to become one of those statistics. Plus, straps on deployant clasps tend to last longer since they do not get bent as much taking the watches on and off.
This model uses the Calibre 1869 movement, which is a specially decorated version of the 1861 movement. It’s a manual wind, non-hacking movement with 48 hour power reserve. To set the time, you can rotate their crown towards 12 to stop the second hand. When It’s fully wound, you feel the crown tension increase and then stop. It has a 30 minute subdial at 3 o’clock, 12 hour counter at 6 and the second hand at 9.
The surface of the plates have been laser ablated to texture the plates with an image of the moon surface, and the subdials are floated over the movement to generate somewhat of a skeltonized look. When you use the chrono pushers, you can see the activation of the chronograph between the 7 and 8 o’clock position on the dial.
The front side of the dial is the lunar surface we see from earth and the back side is what the astronauts saw on the dark side. As I said earlier, the backside of the case is engraved with “we’ll see you on the other side” which is what Jim Lovell said as they went behind the moon and lost contact with mission control. I was 6 years old when this happened and remember sitting in silence with my parents and siblings and barely breathing wondering if they would reappear when they were supposed to.
The lume on the watch is great with the hands, hour markers, bezel, and crown logo all applied with lume.
That’s it for now. I’ll come back and give some other impressions after I’ve worn it for a while.
I’ve always liked the idea of a ceramic case watch since I “wear” my watches and am not one to baby them. Mine get scratches. I tried on several of the other Dark side models with the automatic movements, and wasn’t a fan of how thick they were. The case is 44.25mm in diameter, with 21mm lug width, 49mm lug to lug, and 12mm thick.
This comes on a perforated strap with a tang buckle, but I special ordered a deployant clasp and strap too. I’ve seen the pictures of damaged ceramic cases, and I didn’t want to become one of those statistics. Plus, straps on deployant clasps tend to last longer since they do not get bent as much taking the watches on and off.
This model uses the Calibre 1869 movement, which is a specially decorated version of the 1861 movement. It’s a manual wind, non-hacking movement with 48 hour power reserve. To set the time, you can rotate their crown towards 12 to stop the second hand. When It’s fully wound, you feel the crown tension increase and then stop. It has a 30 minute subdial at 3 o’clock, 12 hour counter at 6 and the second hand at 9.
The surface of the plates have been laser ablated to texture the plates with an image of the moon surface, and the subdials are floated over the movement to generate somewhat of a skeltonized look. When you use the chrono pushers, you can see the activation of the chronograph between the 7 and 8 o’clock position on the dial.
The front side of the dial is the lunar surface we see from earth and the back side is what the astronauts saw on the dark side. As I said earlier, the backside of the case is engraved with “we’ll see you on the other side” which is what Jim Lovell said as they went behind the moon and lost contact with mission control. I was 6 years old when this happened and remember sitting in silence with my parents and siblings and barely breathing wondering if they would reappear when they were supposed to.
The lume on the watch is great with the hands, hour markers, bezel, and crown logo all applied with lume.
That’s it for now. I’ll come back and give some other impressions after I’ve worn it for a while.
- rockmastermike
- Feedback Virtuoso
- Posts: 20593
- Joined: Tue May 18, 2010 5:13 pm
- Name: WDE
Re: Quick review of the Omega Apollo 8
That is one impressive (and special) watch. Thanks for the extra detailed info
Re: Quick review of the Omega Apollo 8
Fantastic Speedy, congratulations!
"We'd better synchronize our watches."
Re: Quick review of the Omega Apollo 8
I’ve said this with other Speedmasters, but it applies doubly so here: that is a movement worthy of wearing the watch inside out. Simply beautiful.
Re: Quick review of the Omega Apollo 8
That's superb Roger, I'm sorry about your Dad.
Quick review of the Omega Apollo 8
Thanks guys. Dad lived a great life, made it to 92 and passed in his sleep at home after watching the Masters. We should all be so lucky.
Last edited by BacoNoir on Mon Nov 01, 2021 2:15 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Quick review of the Omega Apollo 8
Congrats and great choice. It is a tremendous piece to honor your father’s memory. I love the Apollo 8 so much, it’s one of the 3 watches I’ve bought new.
Re: Quick review of the Omega Apollo 8
Sorry about your Dad, Roger. Love the watch it’s got some cool details.
Re: Quick review of the Omega Apollo 8
Hell of a good looking watch. Pops would love it, I’m sure. Cheers.
Many will register, few will last
Re: Quick review of the Omega Apollo 8
Great watch, great review. Enjoy it in good health!
Re: Quick review of the Omega Apollo 8
Thanks again guys. I’m surprised about how light it is. The online info I found says it weighs 90 grams on the strap. I’m traveling right now, but intend to weigh it when I get home.
Re: Quick review of the Omega Apollo 8
Beautiful watch, and really cool tribute to your pops.
Re: Quick review of the Omega Apollo 8
What a special watch. The relation to the caseback is super cool.
DEATH FROM ABOVE
Re: Quick review of the Omega Apollo 8
90g is perfect for nato.BacoNoir wrote:Thanks again guys. I’m surprised about how light it is. The online info I found says it weighs 90 grams on the strap. I’m traveling right now, but intend to weigh it when I get home.
I think the Ezm1 is around 68g but I always thought I little more weight would balance it better.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
DEATH FROM ABOVE
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 99 guests