Well, it’s time for another one of my hands-on projects. I gotta tell you, this one was a doozy. It all started when I saw that iconic shot of the Apollo 8 crew looking at the moon from orbit. You know, the one where they talk about it looking like a “sand pile my kids have played in for some time.” That really stuck with me, the sheer awe and wonder of seeing the far side of the moon for the first time. I thought, “I’ve got to find a way to capture that moment.”
So, I started digging around. I remembered that Omega made these Speedmaster watches that the Apollo astronauts wore on the moon. They’re called the “Moon watches”, you know. As I was researching, I came across this special edition, the Speedmaster Apollo 8 “Dark Side of the Moon.”
Now, normally, I don’t go for fancy watches. But this one? This one was different. It was a tribute to that historic Apollo 8 mission, the first time humans ever saw the far side of the moon. And it wasn’t just any watch. It had a skeletonized dial and the movement was designed to look like the lunar surface. It was like wearing a piece of history on my wrist.
I hunted for this watch and I knew I had to have it. The price tag was a bit steep, but I figured, “When am I ever going to get another chance to own something like this?” I pulled the trigger and ordered it.
When it finally arrived, I was like a kid on Christmas morning. I ripped open the box, and there it was, in all its glory. The black ceramic case, the intricate details on the dial, it was even better in person. I carefully took it out of the box and put it on my wrist. It felt substantial, weighty, but not too heavy. It was just right.
I spent the next few days just admiring it. I’d hold it up to the light and watch the way the light played off the different surfaces. The skeletonized dial was mesmerizing. I could see the gears and springs moving inside, and it was like looking into a tiny, intricate world. And the caseback? Don’t even get me started on the caseback. It had engravings like “APOLLO 8” and “WE’LL SEE YOU ON THE OTHER SIDE”. Chills, I’m telling you, chills.
It felt like I was holding a piece of history, and a memento of human courage and achievement.
I wore the watch everywhere. To the grocery store, to work, even to bed. Okay, maybe not to bed, but you get the idea. I wanted to feel that connection to the Apollo 8 mission every day. And you know what? It worked. Every time I looked at my wrist, I was reminded of the incredible feat those astronauts accomplished. It was like a little dose of inspiration throughout the day.
So, that’s the story of my little adventure with the OMEGA Speedmaster Apollo 8. It was more than just a watch, it was a connection to history, a reminder of human achievement, and a source of daily inspiration. And it is just so cool! I hope you guys enjoyed it!
Click to consult