MY WATCH STORY: George’s Omega Speedmaster (Cal 321)

Andrew McUtchen

On June the 1st, we will be launching one of the most significant stories ever to be published on Time+Tide; the recent celebration of ‘the first watch on the moon’, the Omega Speedmaster, in Houston. The location was fitting, because this event was truly bigger than Texas. It spanned a trip to NASA, a round table discussion with the Captain of the Apollo 13, James Lovell, and an event largely hosted by George Clooney.

But somewhere in the midst of all the grandeur was something small and important that has always been at the centre of what we do at Time+Tide. It was the star of the show, telling us about his watch. Why he likes it. When he acquired it. The story behind it. Just like many of you have. So we decided to lead our main story on the 1st with this less glamorous, but no less interesting one.

When did you get your first Speedmaster?

My father gave it to me when I was a kid. The moon landing was a big deal, so I wanted a moon watch, everybody did. I was born in 1961. It was a big part of my life and a big part of my growing up. I remember every time they took off we would go out and watch and see if we could see them on the moon. I’m from Kentucky, we weren’t really that bright.

Have you kept it with you all your life?

No, it’s funny, I called him up about ten years ago because he wore one too, and I asked if he still had it. He said “I think I have it upstairs in the attic.” He put down the phone and went up into the attic and he got it, he wound it and it worked. He sent it to me.

Did you get it serviced?

(The President of Omega, Stephen Urquhart jumps into the conversation) George brought it to me in Japan. It was when we first met and started working together 10 years ago. He showed it to me and said, do you think you could change the strap?

More to come on June 1

– Clooney pushes American Government to spend more on space exploration

– Lovell describes the moment his Speedmaster ticked over 14 seconds and he engaged the shuttle’s afterburners saving Apollo 13 

– The last man to walk on the moon, Gene Cernan, describes Lovell and Stafford as ‘more heroic’ than Armstrong and Aldrin

Stay tuned….!