I’m usually not one to fall for these goofy influencer giveaways watch companies do but it’s a really nice piece and it represents a pretty cool concept. The prize, given to Buzz Aldrin, Brian Eno, and Elon Musk, is the Stephen Hawking Medal for Science Communication at the 2019 Starmus V Festival. Basically it celebrates the spread of physics and science throughout the world and if anyone has done that it’s Buzz Aldrin, puncher of moon conspiracists.

Sadly Musk was too busy t attend but Aldrin and Eno were there and picked up a “First OMEGA in Space:”

It is based on the iconic watch that astronaut Walter Schirra wore during the Sigma 7 mission of the Mercury program in 1962. Today’s updated design features a brown polished ceramic bezel ring and a matt chromium nitride tachymeter scale, as well as brown PVD subdials and a central opaline silvery dial. The watch is distinguished by its caseback, which includes the words, “WINNER OF THE STEPHEN HAWKING MEDAL FOR SCIENCE COMMUNICATION”, as well as a laser-engraved medallion that follows the exact design of the medal itself.

From the release:

On stage were the winners including Brian Eno, for his contribution to the popularisation of science; Apollo 11, a documentary by Todd Douglas Miller, for its breakthrough look at the famous space mission; and a special Lifetime Achievement Award for OMEGA ambassador Buzz Aldrin, whose legendary passion for space continues to inspire us today. A medal and watch will also be separately presented to Elon Musk, for his accomplishments in space travel and for humanity.

It’s a nice price, a nice concept, and a nice watch. I’m just sad this never won:

ByJohn Biggs

John lives in Brooklyn and has loved watches since he got his first Swatch Irony automatic in 1998. He is the editor of WristWatchReview.

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