Judging by the photos from the auction, someone wore that watch a lot but it seems really doubtful it was Armstrong himself given there are zero photos of him wearing it. So, it was most certainly in Armstrong’s possession but who wore it is the question. Fun story to speculate over for an equally fun watch.

if you’re looking for rudimentary, i can assure you a miyota 8315 is as basic as they come (tho an 8200 series may have been in your watch, which would have been even more basic…the 8315 both hacks and winds, the 8200 series, except for the most very recent ones, did neither).

so your Wolbrook or Douglas has one of the least expensive and most basic movements anyone would dare put into a watch today in the 8315, but it meets the basic standards of what is expected these days.

your problem with how much weightier the newer version is goes beyond just having a better movement. the original that you have such nostalgia for actually had a cheap brass case with chrome plating that in almost every one i’ve ever seen, has begun to rot away down past where the brass starts.

i’m not trying to be rude, but having nostalgia for such cheap stuff is like wishing your car to lack power brakes or power steering. And the reason higher quality watch movements have more than 1 jewel is not to be cool, but to prevent the movement from grinding itself up with metal on metal.

so, while nostalgia for the past is quaint, most people know enough not to want to go back there when it comes to technical aspects of either watches or cars.

i appreciate the rhetoric of your piece but did find it unfair to take these pot shots at the brand. not that they need me defending them. but i have one on my wrist i just bought, a racer version, and being a watch person felt the need to point these things out. as an aside, i was aware of the Neil Armstrong ‘connection’ to Woldbrook/Douglas, as well as it’s scanty nature vis a vis documentation. but like you, i fell in love with the visual mystique of the watch…they do the best job i’ve seen of going back in time design-wise, but thank goodness using current day tech.

i never would have purchased an original 60s version for the reasons stated, yet i always did love the look. i knew there’d be some upgrades if i purchased a current one, but could see they’d be expertly done. getting the 8315 movement with hacking AND winding was a deal sealer.

i’d recommend enjoying the design of your Wolbrook/Douglas, but seeing if you can also appreciate not having a watch that rots off your wrist eventually, or has the movement grind itself up to bits. cheers!

Hey, RH. The khaki colored one is a premium nato from Crown & Buckle and the other is a “British racing green” nato from Cheapest Nato Straps.

Thanks, Matt! Glad you enjoyed and I’ll make sure to keep ’em coming!