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Post by MacDaddy on Nov 19, 2007 21:19:42 GMT -5
If you could change the Speedmaster for the new Moon and Mars missions, but had to keep it a mechanical watch, what would you do to it?
And I don't mean put a sapphire crystal, glass back, etc.
Let's think about this.
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Post by Houston on Nov 19, 2007 21:25:46 GMT -5
Well amigo I would have thought a quartz like an update of the X-33 with its' multi-function capability wold be the way to go. Not mechanical. I don't think you can go mechanical anymore, not when "q" offers so much more that is useful and shock-resistant. If I had to go mechanical, I would object. Nay protest. Chain myself to a NASA canteen table and refuse even bread or water ;D ;D I'd use a mechanical as a back up just in case. In which case, you know which one it is but I would beef up its' shock-resistance. Don't know how but that would be the way I'd do it. Be well pal ZIN Not usually shaken nor stirred ;D ;D ;D
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Post by MacDaddy on Nov 19, 2007 21:38:37 GMT -5
I would combine both a mechanical movement and a multifunction quartz and here's why: Not knowing what physical conditions, magnetic forces, shock, etc. it may be exposed to, the last thing I'd want is a battery operated watch that couldn't function because of battery drain. Then again I wouldn't want a mechanical watch that was magnetized. Having both would seem the safest route.
I do think the X-33 is a better way to go. I think they need to improve it though.
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Post by Houston on Nov 20, 2007 9:30:05 GMT -5
Mr MacDaddy Pray do tell about how you think they could make improvements to the X-33. Though I've not really paid it much attention, I was under the impression it was well-received and an effective tool. I like the idea of a quart being better served in the area of shock-resistance. Talk soon and be well now pal ZIN Not usually shaken nor stirred ;D ;D ;D
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Post by fergie on Nov 20, 2007 12:24:11 GMT -5
If I had to go mechanical, I would object. Nay protest. Chain myself to a NASA canteen table and refuse even bread or water ;D ;D You rebel ;D
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Post by Houston on Nov 20, 2007 12:42:10 GMT -5
;D ;D ;D Well Pal, the way I see it, there's no point when the X-33 would outperform a mechanical besides being able to do more But as I'm not going on a mission...... Hope you're well amigo ZIN Not usually shaken nor stirred ;D ;D ;D
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Post by Tony B on Nov 20, 2007 13:12:39 GMT -5
Hey guys,
Good morning to you all. MacDaddy, I would love to keep it a mechanical watch. My fantasy Mars/Moon watch would be the toughest thing Omega has ever created. It would have a matte black case and bracelet/strap and be the most magnetic, temperature and shock resistant watch made. It would be so cool looking and functional that we would all want to have one. But not as a dress watch. They already do that quite well.
After contemplating "Controversial one..." and checking out some of the fine watches at Sinn and Kobold, I wonder. The black PVD coated watches are pretty cool. They claim the coating is more scratch resistant than stainless.
Has Omega ever made a black PVD coated case and bracelet? Their FAQ boasts the watches are magnetic resistant and shock resistant to 5000g? I don't know what that means but I would not want my wrist exposed to a 5000 g load. Seems like it would rip it off. Ciao, tony
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Post by Houston on Nov 20, 2007 13:48:33 GMT -5
Hey Tony Hope you're well. I think Mr MacDaddy's dual power-source Speedy Pro would be rather interesting. I'd love to have one In this day and age when much is expected of a watch that is used on missions, multi-function is the way to go, quite understandably as articles from the various NASA resources would suggest. Omega has used PVD in watches. Do have a look at the WOTD archives in the sub-board of OMEGALand. More recently, the Constellation chronographs have had the PVD treatment. Be well now ZIN Not usually shaken nor stirred ;D ;D ;D
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Post by 13oots2 on Nov 20, 2007 13:53:28 GMT -5
I too love the look of the PVD coating and think that Omega could not go far wrong in that area. I for one would love to see a PVD coated Omega, perhaps not a speedy but a "Bond" and after all these are supposed to be watches used for diving and other tough jobs.
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Post by Houston on Nov 20, 2007 14:14:39 GMT -5
Does PVD scratch off I wonder? Would you know Mr 13? If it did, I'd be mortified !!! and probably only wear it around the house ;D ;D ;D Be well now ZIN Not usually shaken nor stirred ;D ;D ;D
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Post by udxtdk9 on Nov 20, 2007 14:22:05 GMT -5
I'd improve on the X-33 by incorporating a solar rechargeable battery. I'd also add signal time sync, for Earthbound use.
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Post by Houston on Nov 20, 2007 14:24:41 GMT -5
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Post by 13oots2 on Nov 20, 2007 14:28:59 GMT -5
I thought the whole idea was it made the watch more scratch resistant and tougher than stainless, but thinking about it makes me wonder how resistant. At least with stainless we can always buff out scratches, if PVD is scratched it will reveal the stainless underneath which would look terrible. Also there are different amounts of PVD coating applied by different manufacturers and I think Kobold use multiple layers, where a lower cost watch would use less. I can't see a watch costing $400 (there are a few) having an expensive process like PVD to the quality of manufacturers like Kobold. I think I will wait to see just how tough PVD is, anyone game?
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Post by Houston on Nov 20, 2007 14:49:47 GMT -5
I don't think there is any experience of PVD ownership in OMEGALand thus far. As it's primarily the higher end and more dressier examples which have been PVD'd I doubt if we'll see much of it amongst WISes yet. If Omega did PVD a diver it would be different. It's just that the PVD examples that I can think of are both Connies and De Villes which are not exactly on the shopping lists of many WISes. My pennies worth Be well now ZIN Not usually shaken nor stirred ;D ;D ;D
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Post by MacDaddy on Nov 20, 2007 19:54:30 GMT -5
I think that the watch should indeed have a solar powered face. An atomic clock synchronizer would be useless once in orbit.
As it proved on THE FIRST MOON LANDING MISSION, the mechanical Speedmaster saved the day when Bulova's system clock FAILED. Traveling into the unknown and the vacuum of space, you would need something failsafe -- nut and bolt mechanics. A quartz watch can run out of juice, have a short, crack, etc. What about an EMP (electro magnetic pulse)? Fried. Look at the past. Cars made in the 1950's are still being used today in Cuba and in the states. New cars rely on circuit boards. Something goes wrong, you can fabricate a part maybe. Have a board blow out and you're out of luck.
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