Marathon CSAR Chronograph is today’s choice.
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Watch collectors / appreciation thread
- Thread starter ID10T
- Start date
Marathon CSAR Chronograph is today’s choice.
Nice! Valjoux 7750?
Yes sir!
ID10T
Sr Member
I had the blue dial version of this in the early 2000’s. Sold it to fund my Seamaster GMT “great white”.
My "Eco-Zilla" with custom lugs...
Thats a monster!
One of my favorites!
Here's another Citizen that I wear at least once a week (The Nighthawk):
ID10T
Sr Member
I like a lot about that Citizen BROTHERFOSTER !
The applied indicies, the 24-hour timer in the center, the slide rule... Really cool piece!
The applied indicies, the 24-hour timer in the center, the slide rule... Really cool piece!
ID10T
Sr Member
And, as you guys have figured out, I'm a space nerd. And a watch nerd. Let's see what happens when these two worlds collide...
I did a bit of digging, to see what watches are currently approved by NASA. Note ONLY the mechanical Speedmaster Professional is approved for EVA. I am unable to nail down if all the available movements are approved, or only the original 321 movement... That's not clear to me.
But, if you like watches, and space, you may enjoy this post.
1) Omega Speedmaster Professional (mechanical, hand-wind). The caliber 321 movement is the "true" moonwatch. They command a premium on the secondary market. I had a list of serial numbers at one time but it's lost. I think the newest one was from 1967. (photo is a 1968 model). These were "upgraded" with the JB Champion bracelet (also expensive on the secondary market) and also issued with the Velcro strap. Years ago I was able to purchase one of these straps (they DO NOT have a part number on them, like all the reproductions on eBay do). It is crazy long, to be worn over the old EVA suit, and has to be wrapped twice around the bare wrist to be worn that way. (One of the astronauts is shown wearing it this way)
Omega Speedmaster Professional X-33
![IMG_E2965[1].JPG](https://www.therpf.com/forums/attachments/img_e2965-1-jpg.1487772/ "IMG_E2965[1].JPG")
Gen 1 (seen on Doug Hurley)
Gen 2 [eBay] (Seen on Bob Behnken's wrist) Note the crown change (because it is used push-pull, not turning), and bezel change with added glowing pip. Bezel also rotates bi-directionally, as opposed to the gen 1 which only rotates counter-clockwise. It also has a uniform color, whereas the gen 1 has a bit of "bling" with the polished bezel insert and pushers.
(Aug. 19, 2021) --- Expedition 65 Commander Akihiko Hoshide wearing a Gen 2
(Aug. 16, 2021) --- Expedition 65 Flight Engineers Shane Kimbrough (gen 2) and Megan McArthur (Baby G)
I have heard that although these are officially discontinued (and replaced by below), they are still available to military and NASA as special order. I am currently trying to get a gen 1 strap for mine, to go along with the bracelet, and I'll report back what I hear. The Gen 1 is not seen much any longer, and I presume only the Gen 2 would be available for new purchase.
Gen 3 "Skywalker" X-33 (Standard variant/color shown) This watch is approved by NASA, ROSCOSMOS and ESA for non-EVA use (no digital/quartz watch is approved for EVA). There is also a green trimmed one "Solar Impulse", and a blue trimmed one, which was a variant used as a yachting timer (most likely not approved) Bear in mind this is a big watch as well- 44mm I believe. (gen 1 & 2 are 42mm)
During the shuttle era, several digital watches were approved:
Casio DW-5600 (C and E suffix)
"C" suffix (~1990) [Photo from eBay]
"E" Suffix [also from eBay]
Casio DW-5900 (no suffix specified)
DW-5900 (no suffix) from 1992 [eBay again]
Casio G-9000 "mudman"
I don't know if there is a specific color or variant of this one, but if you like big watches, this is a good choice. There are some other variants (black and orange for example) that are much less common. Note the "white" one is actually light gray above.
Timex Ironman Datalink (model 78701)
This is a hard to find one these days. It has a USB cable (and 3-1/4" floppy disc!) and can store phone numbers etc. Note there are several color variants, as well as slight case changes over it's lifetime, but this one pictured I believe to be the particular model approved/flown by NASA. I don't think ANYONE at NASA still wears one however.
I think, at this point, watches are up to the astronauts to some extent. I see a few others I have not positively identified on other astronauts- particularly the women (note Meghan's Baby G, above, on the ISS). But, the photos are not off-planet, and here, you can wear whatever you like, so that does not mean a whole lot...
I did a bit of digging, to see what watches are currently approved by NASA. Note ONLY the mechanical Speedmaster Professional is approved for EVA. I am unable to nail down if all the available movements are approved, or only the original 321 movement... That's not clear to me.
But, if you like watches, and space, you may enjoy this post.
1) Omega Speedmaster Professional (mechanical, hand-wind). The caliber 321 movement is the "true" moonwatch. They command a premium on the secondary market. I had a list of serial numbers at one time but it's lost. I think the newest one was from 1967. (photo is a 1968 model). These were "upgraded" with the JB Champion bracelet (also expensive on the secondary market) and also issued with the Velcro strap. Years ago I was able to purchase one of these straps (they DO NOT have a part number on them, like all the reproductions on eBay do). It is crazy long, to be worn over the old EVA suit, and has to be wrapped twice around the bare wrist to be worn that way. (One of the astronauts is shown wearing it this way)
Omega Speedmaster Professional X-33
Gen 1 (seen on Doug Hurley)
Gen 2 [eBay] (Seen on Bob Behnken's wrist) Note the crown change (because it is used push-pull, not turning), and bezel change with added glowing pip. Bezel also rotates bi-directionally, as opposed to the gen 1 which only rotates counter-clockwise. It also has a uniform color, whereas the gen 1 has a bit of "bling" with the polished bezel insert and pushers.
(Aug. 19, 2021) --- Expedition 65 Commander Akihiko Hoshide wearing a Gen 2
(Aug. 16, 2021) --- Expedition 65 Flight Engineers Shane Kimbrough (gen 2) and Megan McArthur (Baby G)
I have heard that although these are officially discontinued (and replaced by below), they are still available to military and NASA as special order. I am currently trying to get a gen 1 strap for mine, to go along with the bracelet, and I'll report back what I hear. The Gen 1 is not seen much any longer, and I presume only the Gen 2 would be available for new purchase.
Gen 3 "Skywalker" X-33 (Standard variant/color shown) This watch is approved by NASA, ROSCOSMOS and ESA for non-EVA use (no digital/quartz watch is approved for EVA). There is also a green trimmed one "Solar Impulse", and a blue trimmed one, which was a variant used as a yachting timer (most likely not approved) Bear in mind this is a big watch as well- 44mm I believe. (gen 1 & 2 are 42mm)
During the shuttle era, several digital watches were approved:
Casio DW-5600 (C and E suffix)
"C" suffix (~1990) [Photo from eBay]
"E" Suffix [also from eBay]
Casio DW-5900 (no suffix specified)
DW-5900 (no suffix) from 1992 [eBay again]
Casio G-9000 "mudman"
I don't know if there is a specific color or variant of this one, but if you like big watches, this is a good choice. There are some other variants (black and orange for example) that are much less common. Note the "white" one is actually light gray above.
Timex Ironman Datalink (model 78701)
This is a hard to find one these days. It has a USB cable (and 3-1/4" floppy disc!) and can store phone numbers etc. Note there are several color variants, as well as slight case changes over it's lifetime, but this one pictured I believe to be the particular model approved/flown by NASA. I don't think ANYONE at NASA still wears one however.
I think, at this point, watches are up to the astronauts to some extent. I see a few others I have not positively identified on other astronauts- particularly the women (note Meghan's Baby G, above, on the ISS). But, the photos are not off-planet, and here, you can wear whatever you like, so that does not mean a whole lot...
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Very informative. Love that Gen 3 "Skywalker" X-33!
ID10T
Sr Member
Yeah, the gen 3 really stepped it up. Ceramic bezel insert too. But the (better looking) reverse LCD is not as easy to read as the old black on gray version.
Interesting trivia: the LCD uses a polarizer to make the characters visible. If you wear polarized eyewear, and look at an LCD, at certain angles the display goes completely black. Omega got around this by using a circular polarizer on the (gen 1&2 anyway) X-33.
Check out the gen 3 version with the green detail (solar impulse). That’s a sharp looking piece in my opinion. Sport/casual without looking like a “toy”. Green is my favorite color too, but still a sharp looking piece.
Interesting trivia: the LCD uses a polarizer to make the characters visible. If you wear polarized eyewear, and look at an LCD, at certain angles the display goes completely black. Omega got around this by using a circular polarizer on the (gen 1&2 anyway) X-33.
Check out the gen 3 version with the green detail (solar impulse). That’s a sharp looking piece in my opinion. Sport/casual without looking like a “toy”. Green is my favorite color too, but still a sharp looking piece.
ID10T
Sr Member
I just realized I haven’t posted a watch in a while, so let’s go to the watch box…
My first “good” watch, which I purchased in Salzburg, Austria (about a block from Mozart’s birthplace) in 1988 or so.
Early Tag Heuer 2000 quartz chronograph. Currently dead but I have a second (and maybe third too) donor for parts.
what’s interesting about it is the box, case back bracelet and crown were all marked “Heuer” (no Tag). I wore it 24-7 for a bit over 12 years when the bracelet finally disintegrated and it hit the concrete. I still like the design.
My first “good” watch, which I purchased in Salzburg, Austria (about a block from Mozart’s birthplace) in 1988 or so.
Early Tag Heuer 2000 quartz chronograph. Currently dead but I have a second (and maybe third too) donor for parts.
what’s interesting about it is the box, case back bracelet and crown were all marked “Heuer” (no Tag). I wore it 24-7 for a bit over 12 years when the bracelet finally disintegrated and it hit the concrete. I still like the design.
Pre-Friday attitude kicking in. Felt like a Victorinox Swiss Army Infantry Vintage Chronograph day to me.
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