Professionals always have specialized watches on their hands, with numerous of functions. Find out what the right piece is according to the activities of each of them.
Omega Speedmaster
It got on the Moon, to the North Pole and it is on the hand of the most valuable Formula 1 pilot in history. Here are just a few bench-marks for the most famous chronograph- watch in history. Its fame was first brought by the association with the spaceship agency NASA. The first trip in space of an Omega Speedmaster took place on October 3rd 1962 during the mission “Sigma7”. The American astronaut Walter Schirra had bought it on a purely personal reason.
At the beginning of the 60s, NASA was looking for a chronographer watch “space proof” which could be worn in space. After various tests that were carried on, Omega Speedmaster was the only piece that fulfilled the strict criteria. On March 1st 1965 it was declared by NASA “Suitable to fly for all the space missions with people on board”. Buzz Aldrin became, on July 21st 1969, the first astronaut who walked on Moon having such a watch on his hand. His colleague Neil Armstrong had left his in the lunar module, because the chronometer-system on board was broken.
During the Apollo 13 mission, an explosion affected the flight apparatus. The astronauts had to save energy for the landing maneuvers. The precision of the Omega Speedmaster watches helped them calculate precisely the consumption generated by the racket that had to redirect the space ship’s trajectory. For the contribution it had, Omega received from NASA the most craved distinction “Snoopy Award”.
The space encounter between Apollo and Soyuz, as a part of an American-Russian project, revealed an interesting fact. American astronauts, as well as their Russian homologues, were wearing Omega Speedmaster watches. Even more, the Russians had one for each hand: the first one for GMT, the second one for the time of Houston or Baikonur. From 1975, Speedmaster is also the choice of Russian Space missions.
Essential figures:
1, 8 millions – the approximate number of the copies produced from the launch of the series in 1957
250 – variants in which Speedmaster has been created until now, including among others: different mechanisms, complications like “phases of the Moon” or “perpetual calendar” or components realized from precious metals.
Why is it profi?
It is profi because even the term “Professional” was added to the dial of the watches from 1965, as a mention to the exquisite professionalism of the ones from NASA, which were using them often during their missions.
Omega Professional Moonwatch 50th Anniversary Patch (limited series 5 957 copies), chronograph mechanism with a manual turn, store of 45 hours, case (42mm diameter) and steel strap. Impermeable at 50 m.
Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean
If it was through extra-terrestrial space, what would mean a trip deep down the ocean for Omega? It may be another reason to accomplish an exceptional piece which is inspired from the Seamaster 300 m models, Railmaster and Speedmaster, all launched in 1957.
Why is it profi?
It is gifted with a helium valve, positioned at the hour 10 and marked with the symbol “He”, which allows for the case to depressurize.
Why is it worth it?
It has an automatic mechanism, running store of 55 hours, case (45,5 mm diameter) and strap made of steel. Impermeable at 600 m.
Longines Hydroconquest
The Swiss producer launched the model HydroConquest with the desire to conquer those passionate with diving. The watch is gifted with an automatic mechanism based on the famous and reliable Valjoux 7750, and the report quality-price is excellent.
Why is it profi?
The indexes and the hands are treated with superlight which offers an excellent legibility. The crown has a special protection, and the rubber strap has a double fastener and a diving extension.
Why is it worth it?
The automatic chronograph mechanism, the power store of 46 hours, the steel case (41 mm diameter), rubber strap. Impermeable at 300m.
Tag Heuer Aquaracer Caliber S Regatta
The precision of quartz is one of the goals of Tag Heuer. Take this into consideration, and also take into consideration the fact that for this model the company used S caliber, thing which demolishes the traditional of the chronograph which uses ever since 1822 – three sub dials which are sometimes hard to read. You have a piece which is worth taking into account.
Why is it profi?
It has three operating ways: “Time”, “Chronograph” or “Regatta”, selected by simply pushing the crown. With 230 mechanic parts and 5 micro-engines, the model was specially designed for the marine races.
Why is it worth it?
Chronograph quartz mechanism, case (41 mm diameter) and strap made of steel.
Edox Spirit of Norway (limited edition)
The engineers of the “Spirit of Norway” team, world champion in 2006 at the Class 1 World Powerboat category, and the Edox Company developed an automatic chronograph of materials used for races and in space technology.
Why is it profi?
The case made of titanium which is resistant to corrosion, impermeable up to 500m, gifted with helium valve, superior ring made of ultra-resistant ceramics and secured with 6 screws, dial made of manually finalized carbon, stop-and-go function, etc. What more can you ask?
Why is it worth it?
Automatic chronograph mechanism, power store of 42 hours, titanium case (46,5 mm diameter), rubber strap. Impermeable at 500m.
Bell&Ross BR 03-94 Instrument
The authentic rejoinder of the carriage clocks from the planes, through its form and the catching system in 4 screws, BR 03 is a series destined for the air professionals. It is a smaller variant of the BR 01 XXL series (46 mm diameter).
Why is it profi?
Specially designed for those who work in fields which require increased legibility, the watch touches four desiderata: precision, performance, legibility and impermeability.
Why is it worth it?
It has an automatic chronograph mechanism, strap made of steel and carbon (42 mm diameter), and rubber strap. Impermeable at 100 m.
Girard-Perregaux Chronograph Fly-Back "Monte Carlo 1970"
The famous Swiss manufacture brought homage to the historic rally Monte Carlo, 1970 edition, when the pilots Björn Waldegaard and Lars Helmer won at the bord of a legendary Porche 911 S.
Why is it profi?
The edition, limited to 250 personalized copies, commemorates the race through the inscription on the dial and through the sub dials inspired from the edge of the car. The names of the pilots, of the car and of the registering plate are graved on the lid attached with 6 screws.
Why is it worth it?
Automatic chronograph mechanism, power store of 46 hours, steel case (40 mm diameter), leather strap.
Hamilton Khaki Tachymiler
Precise chronograph, intermediary time, visible buttons differentiated through the colors black and red, meters similar to those of the cockpit, strap that reminds of the tires of planes – are the attributes of this “sports” chronograph of Hamilton which reminds you of the air domain.
Why is it profi?
The text “Vr. Rotation Speed” is marked on the model’s glass and it has to do with the calculus made on the spinning speed of the plane.
Why is it worth it?
Automatic chronograph mechanism, steel case (44 mm diameter), rubber strap. Impermeable at 100 m.
Seiko Sportura 1/100th Second Chronograph
Jenson Button, the F 1 pilot of the Honda F1 Racing Team, is the image of this model, which contains: 3 pointers, calendar, secondary 1/100, secondary 1/10, retrograde pointer 40 minutes, chronograph of up to 120 minutes in units of 1/100 of a second or “intermediary time” function.
Why is it profi?
The watch was projected “for speed”. It has a legible dial and an aerodynamic smooth line, projected to allow the rapid reading of times, even during the race.
Why is it worth it?
Quartz Chronograph mechanism, case (43 mm diameter) and strap made of steel. Impermeable at 100 m.
