Quick review of the Omega Apollo 8

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BacoNoir
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Quick review of the Omega Apollo 8

Post by BacoNoir » Sun Oct 31, 2021 3:03 pm

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.
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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.

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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.

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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.

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The lume on the watch is great with the hands, hour markers, bezel, and crown logo all applied with lume.
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That’s it for now. I’ll come back and give some other impressions after I’ve worn it for a while.
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rockmastermike
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Re: Quick review of the Omega Apollo 8

Post by rockmastermike » Sun Oct 31, 2021 3:23 pm

That is one impressive (and special) watch. Thanks for the extra detailed info

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aikiman44
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Re: Quick review of the Omega Apollo 8

Post by aikiman44 » Sun Oct 31, 2021 4:32 pm

Fantastic Speedy, congratulations!
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Ryeguy
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Re: Quick review of the Omega Apollo 8

Post by Ryeguy » Sun Oct 31, 2021 5:55 pm

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.

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BlueSky
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Re: Quick review of the Omega Apollo 8

Post by BlueSky » Mon Nov 01, 2021 2:06 pm

That's superb Roger, I'm sorry about your Dad.

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BacoNoir
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Quick review of the Omega Apollo 8

Post by BacoNoir » Mon Nov 01, 2021 2:15 pm

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.
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blkgsl
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Re: Quick review of the Omega Apollo 8

Post by blkgsl » Mon Nov 01, 2021 9:59 pm

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.

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kfalk
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Re: Quick review of the Omega Apollo 8

Post by kfalk » Tue Nov 02, 2021 5:20 am

Sorry about your Dad, Roger. Love the watch it’s got some cool details.
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r.palace
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Re: Quick review of the Omega Apollo 8

Post by r.palace » Tue Nov 02, 2021 5:58 am

Hell of a good looking watch. Pops would love it, I’m sure. Cheers.
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Bettenco
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Re: Quick review of the Omega Apollo 8

Post by Bettenco » Fri Nov 12, 2021 11:06 am

Great watch, great review. Enjoy it in good health!

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BacoNoir
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Re: Quick review of the Omega Apollo 8

Post by BacoNoir » Sat Nov 13, 2021 6:27 am

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.
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unsub073
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Re: Quick review of the Omega Apollo 8

Post by unsub073 » Mon Nov 15, 2021 10:07 am

Beautiful watch, and really cool tribute to your pops.

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BBK357
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Re: Quick review of the Omega Apollo 8

Post by BBK357 » Mon Nov 15, 2021 10:59 am

What a special watch. The relation to the caseback is super cool.
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BBK357
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Re: Quick review of the Omega Apollo 8

Post by BBK357 » Mon Nov 15, 2021 11:01 am

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.
90g is perfect for nato.
I think the Ezm1 is around 68g but I always thought I little more weight would balance it better.


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