The Omega Speedmaster Professional, affectionately nicknamed the "Moonwatch," is more than just a timepiece; it's a legend. Its iconic status, cemented by its role in NASA's Apollo missions, makes it a highly sought-after watch. However, its rich history doesn't overshadow its practical functionality. This article will delve into the intricacies of using this remarkable chronograph, focusing on its chronograph functions and the clever tachymeter bezel. We'll also touch upon the market for pre-owned and new Speedmasters, guiding you through the process of finding the best price and the right watch for you.
Understanding the Chronograph Function
The Speedmaster's chronograph is its defining feature, allowing you to measure elapsed time with precision. Let's break down its operation:
* The Pushers: The Speedmaster has two pushers located on the right side of the case. The top pusher starts and stops the chronograph, while the bottom pusher resets it to zero.
* Starting the Chronograph: Press the top pusher. The central chronograph seconds hand will begin to move, recording elapsed time. The subdials will also begin tracking minutes and hours, depending on the specific Speedmaster model. Some models may also feature a 12-hour counter.
* Stopping the Chronograph: Press the top pusher again to halt the chronograph. The hands will remain in their position, indicating the elapsed time.
* Resetting the Chronograph: Press the bottom pusher. This will return all chronograph hands to their zero positions, preparing the watch for another timing session.
Operating the Chronograph: A Step-by-Step Guide
Let's say you want to time a 10-minute task:
1. Ensure the chronograph is reset: Press the bottom pusher until all chronograph hands are at zero.
2. Start the chronograph: Press the top pusher. The central seconds hand will start moving.
3. Monitor the elapsed time: Observe the central seconds hand, the 30-minute subdial (or 12-hour counter depending on your model), and the 12-hour subdial (if applicable).
4. Stop the chronograph: After 10 minutes, press the top pusher again. The hands will stop, indicating the exact elapsed time.
5. Reset the chronograph (optional): If you wish to perform another timing session, press the bottom pusher to return all hands to zero.
Mastering the Tachymeter Bezel
The Speedmaster's tachymeter bezel is a remarkable tool for measuring speed or distance. It's a circular scale typically marked from 500 to 60. Understanding its use requires a little bit of math, but the process is surprisingly straightforward.
Measuring Speed:
The tachymeter measures speed based on a fixed distance. Let's say you want to determine the average speed of a car traveling one kilometer.
1. Start the chronograph: As the car passes a marker (the start of your measured kilometer), press the top pusher to start the chronograph.
2. Stop the chronograph: When the car reaches the one-kilometer mark, press the top pusher again to stop the chronograph.
3. Read the speed: The central chronograph seconds hand will point to a number on the tachymeter bezel. This number represents the car's average speed in kilometers per hour (km/h) for that one-kilometer distance.
Measuring Distance:
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