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It has been precisely 50 years for the reason that Apollo-Soyuz Check Undertaking mission occurred. The aim was to see whether or not the Apollo and Soyuz programs might join (dock) in area and to analyze whether or not rescue operations could possibly be carried out collectively. The launch occurred on July fifteenth, 1975, and the docking occurred on July seventeenth.
Stafford and Leonov throughout their encounter in area in 1975 — Picture: NASA
ASTP Mission
Alexei Leonov and Valery Kubasov had been on board the Soyuz 7K-TM spacecraft, and Thomas P. Stafford, Vance D. Model, and Deke Slayton manned the Apollo CSM-111. NASA outfitted its astronauts with the Speedmaster refs. 105.012 (Slayton) and 145.012 (Stafford and Model) housing caliber 321, whereas the cosmonauts had been carrying the then-current Speedmaster Skilled ref. 145.022 with caliber 861.
Speedmaster Skilled ref. 145.022, as utilized by the cosmonauts
A enjoyable reality from our buddy Phil of Moon Watch Universe is that, earlier than the mission, there was a press convention in February 1975, the place the commanders from each events wore Omega watches as properly. Leonov wore his Omega Flightmaster, whereas Stafford wore his gold Speedmaster Apollo 11 “Tribute to Astronauts” (no. 13 of 1,014). In 1985, Stafford’s watch went lacking at Dallas airport. Omega changed it for him with the Speedmaster Skilled BA345.0802, which debuted in 1980.
Astronaut Thomas P. Stafford’s Speedmaster Skilled BA345.0802
I used to be lucky to satisfy each Stafford and Leonov in Sochi in early 2014. Whereas the cosmonaut was carrying a gold Constellation, Stafford was carrying the gold Speedmaster together with his identify engraved on the case band.
Speedmaster Apollo-Soyuz (1976) — Picture: Fortuna
500 Speedmaster Apollo-Soyuz watches in 1976
As you could know, Omega launched the Speedmaster Apollo-Soyuz in 1976. In 2016, I extensively lined this mannequin on Fratello for a Speedy Tuesday characteristic. For a very long time, it was thought that 400 items had been manufactured from this primary limited-edition Speedmaster in 1976. By 2022, although, Omega might verify that it produced 500 items for the Italian Omega distributor De Marchi. You will discover an article devoted to this Speedmaster 145.022 Apollo-Soyuz right here.
Speedmaster Apollo-Soyuz thirty fifth Anniversary version (2010)
Speedmaster Apollo-Soyuz thirty fifth Anniversary version in 2010
I met Stafford in 2015 in Houston, Texas, and there, I observed he was carrying the Speedmaster Apollo-Soyuz thirty fifth Anniversary watch (ref. 311.30.42.30.99.001). Omega fitted the Speedmaster Skilled Moonwatch with a meteorite dial for that event and launched it in 2010. After I requested concerning the watch, Stafford replied that he picked it as a result of it has one thing from area on the dial.
Jim Lovell and Tom Stafford in 2015
Omega restricted this mannequin to 1,975 items to commemorate the 12 months of the ASTP mission, and it retailed for simply over €6K. It was earlier than the demand for Speedmasters went up, and I do not forget that this mannequin was extensively accessible for a number of years after its introduction. The worth went as much as practically €7K in some unspecified time in the future, but it surely was nowhere close to right now’s costs. I most actually remorse not having purchased this watch.
You will discover an article devoted to this Speedmaster Apollo-Soyuz thirty fifth Anniversary version right here.
My X-33 subsequent to Stafford’s gold Speedmaster, photographed in 2014 throughout our encounter in Sochi
Throughout the final six years, each Stafford (1930–2024) and Leonov (1934–2019) handed away. Astronaut Thomas P. Stafford additionally helped Omega develop the Speedmaster X-33 watches within the Nineties. The truth is, after his NASA profession, he grew to become chairman of the board of Omega in America.
