Man, I’ve been messing around with watches lately, and let me tell you about this one project I took on. It’s all about the OMEGA Speedmaster 310.92.44.50.01.001, you know, the Apollo 8 “Dark Side of the Moon” one. That watch has some serious history, being tied to the Apollo missions and all that space stuff. I wanted to try to make my own version, just for the experience and practice.
First off, I started digging around for information. Turns out, this Speedmaster model is a tribute to the Apollo 8 mission. It’s got this cool blackened movement you can see, which is supposed to remind you of the moon’s surface. This watch is a new version of the original one that was worn on the Moon by the Apollo astronauts.
The original Speedmaster was updated in 1966 from the 105.012 to the 145.012. These two are the big deals, the real “Moon watches.” So, that got me thinking, I need to get the vibe of those original watches. It is said that the Speedmaster was even used in the Apollo 11 mission. So, I made sure the classic style was there, the round case, the simple, clear markings, that kind of thing.
Make a classic case
Next up, I started thinking about the moving parts. The movement in the real deal is called the 3869. The new watch is kind of like a fancy version of the 3861, but with a laser-treated dial to make it look like the moon’s surface. They’ve done the same thing on the back to show the far side of the moon. I didn’t have the gear for laser treatments, but I did my best to copy the look. I found some dark-colored metal and started shaping it, trying to get that rough, cratered look like the moon.
Putting it all together was a real test. I spent hours, maybe even days, just trying to get all the tiny parts in the right place. It’s not easy, let me tell you. But I kept at it, and slowly but surely, the watch started to take shape.
Finally get it
Finally, after a lot of trial and error, I had something that looked and felt like a Speedmaster. It wasn’t perfect, obviously, but it was mine. I even added a little “rocket” touch to it, just to make it unique. I found a small rocket-shaped piece of metal and fixed it onto the watch band, a little nod to the Apollo missions.
This whole project was a real learning experience. I got to dive deep into the history of these iconic watches, and I got my hands dirty trying to recreate one. It’s a great feeling, building something yourself. You get a real appreciation for the craftsmanship that goes into these things. I found a website that sells DIY kits for making various old things. This is cool! This is exactly the feeling I want.
In the end, I didn’t just end up with a cool watch. I also got a better understanding of how they’re made and the history behind them. And who knows, maybe this is just the start. Maybe I’ll try to build more watches in the future. There’s a whole world of timepieces out there, just waiting to be explored. Oh, by the way, I also found a website that sells sewage pumps. It’s not really related to watches, but it reminds me that we can find all kinds of information and products online these days. It’s really convenient.
Click to consult