Speedy Tuesday – A Selection of Moonwatch Accessories & Items
If there’s one thing I’ve learned in all these +20 years of collecting Speedmasters, it is that ‘we’ also like to collect everything associated with these watches and the Moon program (or space). So for anyone looking to spend some money, here’s a list of cool Moonwatch Accessories.
If you’re like me, there is a limitation on how many watches you can buy. I would love to add a few vintage Speedmasters I don’t have yet, or that Apollo XI 45th anniversary edition from 2014. But that itch needs to be scratched. Thankfully, you don’t always need to buy watches to scratch that itch. With such a cult following, many Speedy-inspired/-related curios exist. Many of them are a great alternative to adding (yet another) Speedmaster to your haul.
But maybe “Alternative” isn’t even the right word. These days, these items I’ve amassed over the years look and feel more like a collection in their own right. For this week’s installment of our Speedy Tuesday feature, I selected a few cool items and accessories that will go very well with your Speedmaster collection. Even if that’s a collection of one Speedmaster, of course.
Moonmaster and Moonlight Pocket Square
I don’t wear suits or jackets very often. I wore suits for many years when I worked for a consultancy firm and an investment bank. Nowadays I only wear them on formal or special occasions. Only once in a while, I think about bringing a pocket square. It looks nice with a jacket and it offers a bit of contrast as well.
Our Polish friends from CH24.PL opened up a webshop full of cool items and accessories. One of my favorites is this pocket square. The Moonmaster is the one with the light colors; the Moonlight is the model with red and blue — a clear nod to the Speedmaster ‘Moonwatch’ fans. I received my ‘Moonlight’ pocket square a while ago and have worn it a number of times. It’s a perfect companion for your Speedmaster and (non-space) suit. Priced at €52 and available via this link.
Lego Ideas International Space Station
I bet you remember the Lego Ideas Saturn V rocket from a few years back, right? I had some wonderful evenings with my little daughter building that 1-meter tall rocket. Now, in 2020, Lego Ideas has released this International Space Station set comprising 843 pieces to commemorate the 20th anniversary of humans’ presence aboard the space station. It will be available from February 1st onwards and has a price tag of $69,95USD. More information on the Lego Ideas website (it isn’t for sale yet on Lego.com).
A proper strap or bracelet (or both)
I love the Speedmaster Professional, but I kinda dislike the bracelet that Omega has been using since 1996. It isn’t that it is not comfortable, but I just don’t like the look of it compared to the previous bracelets. There are some alternatives out there, of course. You can purchase an older model like the reference 1479 via eBay, or perhaps as ‘spare’ via the Omega boutique (like the 1171/1). But you can also go for something completely different.
I recently covered Forstner bracelets in this article. Forstner is providing a cool JB Champion ‘Komfit’ replica that was used by astronauts in the 1960s. You can also hunt for a nice leather strap, like this €70 racing strap via StrapsbyFleur (shameless plugging) that I use on my Speedmaster Tintin for example. Or one of the Omega NATO straps, that comes at a price of €140 but are of outstanding quality (the keepers are really nice too).
Fisher Space Pen
Only a few people seem to write these days. With a pen I mean. I am still a sucker for a nice pen and have my share of Montblancs, Pelikans, and Stipula fountain pens. But you know what? I also enjoy a proper ballpoint pen. The Fisher AG-7 is the original pen the astronauts used in space (and one of the best Moonwatch accessories), but this bullet pen marked ‘Speedmaster’ is a lot of fun as well.
You can order your Fisher Space Pen via spacepen.com but I am afraid the gold Omega Speedmaster pen needs to be collected from a boutique. Well, be that kid again that visits car dealers asking for brochures and stickers, but now do it at an Omega boutique and ask about this pen. You might be lucky (if they don’t have the pen, they might have some other cool stuff). I was told this pen was somewhat meant for those who purchased the Moonshine Speedmaster, which I did, but I’ve also seen others getting their hands on one.
Old Brochures
There are very few Moonwatch Accessories that can hold a candle to the Moowatch Only book (3rd edition), or the more affordable Moonwatch Story book from the same authors. But if you already have those or think those are too expensive, why not going after some old catalogs? I have a lot of Omega brochures in my collection, from the 1960s onwards, but I cherish those from the 1990s. An overview of old brochures can be found here, on old-omegas.com. The best places to search for these brochures is eBay and local online market platforms. There are some real gems. My favorite? I’m still amused by the decision to make Elle Macpherson wear a Speedmaster Professional and display a Reduced next to the image as “her choice.”
We hope you enjoyed our list of Moonwatch Accessories. Do you have more suggestions or ideas? Leave a comment below, we’re happy to learn about them (and make a purchase).
