Alright, folks, gather around, let me tell you about the latest thing I got into. So, I was browsing around, looking for a new watch, and stumbled upon this beauty – the OMEGA Speedmaster Apollo 8 “Dark Side of the Moon” watch. Man, this thing is something else. It’s not just a watch; it’s like a piece of history on your wrist.
First off, I started digging into what makes this watch special. Turns out, it’s a tribute to the Apollo 8 mission, you know, the first time humans orbited the Moon back in ’68. I’m no history buff, but that’s pretty cool. I mean, “Dark Side of the Moon” isn’t just a catchy name, that’s what the astronauts saw up there!
So, I went ahead and got my hands on one of these. Let me tell you, the unboxing was an experience. The watch comes in this sleek black ceramic case. It’s big, 44.25 mm to be exact, but it feels just right on the wrist. And the strap? It is a black leather, which is classy and comfy.
- The Dial: I spent hours just staring at the dial. It’s skeletonized, so you can see the inner workings of the watch. And get this – the movement is decorated to look like the surface of the Moon. I’m not kidding. It’s got all these little bumps and craters. I showed it to my kids, and they were like, “Whoa, it’s like we have a moon on our hand!”
- The Caseback: Flipping the watch over, you’ve got the display caseback. It’s got these words engraved around it: “Apollo 8, Dec 1968” and “WE’LL SEE YOU ON THE OTHER SIDE.” That last part, it’s what Jim Lovell, one of the astronauts, said before they went around the Moon. Chills, I tell you.
Now, I’m not gonna lie, this wasn’t a cheap purchase. But from what I’ve read, these Speedmasters, especially the special ones like this, they hold their value pretty well. So, I figured, why not? It’s an investment, right?
Diving Deeper
I got curious about what the astronauts actually saw on the Moon. Found this quote from Frank Borman, another one of the Apollo 8 guys. He said the back side of the Moon looks like “a sand pile my kids have played in for some time. It’s all beat up, no definition, just a lot of bumps and holes.” And guess what? That’s exactly what the watchmakers tried to capture in the movement design. It’s like they took Borman’s words and turned them into art.
Wearing this watch, it’s like I’m carrying a piece of that adventure with me. Every time I check the time, I’m reminded of what those guys did back in ’68. It’s not just about telling time; it’s about remembering a moment when humans did something incredible. And honestly, it just feels good to have something so unique and meaningful on my wrist.
So, yeah, that’s my story with the OMEGA Speedmaster Apollo 8. It’s more than just a watch to me. It’s a conversation starter, a piece of history, and a reminder of human achievement. If you’re into watches, space, or just cool stuff in general, you gotta check this one out. Trust me, you won’t regret it.
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