A couple of Spacemen -
There were four basic variants of these watches - two case styles each available with either ESA9315 or ESA942.711 movements. The case style shown on the left was sold under Catena brand but also in the UK rebranded for Limit International. The Limit International version is identical to the Catena version of this case style with the exception of the glass legend and the case back - which lacks the moulded Catena logo in its centre.
The Limit Watch was sold with the small Catena logo on the clasp. The glass has "Swiss Made" written across the top, "Quartz" bottom left and "Limit International" bottom right - all are printed on the back surface of the glass in mirrored letters that often don't photograph well.
The strap has a high quality solid construction with clearly identifiable details on the back and sides - useful when assessing a watches authenticity from photos. The back cover has exactly the same etched markings (font, size, Part Number "394-118", etc) as the Catena version of this watch but without the Catena logo in the middle. A further detail present on both Limit and Catena back covers is the opening 'lip' visible on the perimeter next to the word 'STEEL'.
All of the outside surfaces of the watch are brushed and the case shape/back has a deeply scalloped shape.
The case style on the right in the first photo is perhaps harder to find. My example is an ESA9315 version that is branded CaRena. Doensens book shows a CaTena branded watch in this case style and with this strap - but the only other images of a watch in this style that I have seen (here http://www.digitalwatches.de/ENGLISH_INDEX.HTM under 'Catena') also show a CaRena branded watch - in that case an ESA942.711 version with a different strap and unbranded clasp. I have no idea why this version was apparently sold under the CaRena brand.
The original strap has a rather large Catena logo on the clasp. The strap doesn't have removable links and doesn't have quite the same solidity of the strap on the other case style.
The case back has the same deeply embossed Catena logo as the Catena versions of the other case style but with slightly different layout and lettering (hyphens between the words, "Swiss Quartz" instead of "Quartz", Part Number "390-118"). My case back, under magnification, shows no signs of ever having been brushed so was perhaps sold polished. It also has the opening 'lip' visible on the perimeter next to the word 'STAINLESS'. The 'Hood' of the watch is attached via two screws - through the case from between the top lugs - and is simply removed to facilitate cleaning.
The coolest thing about this variant is the glass. It is a single piece of glass with a total of 8 facets. The legend/dial is printed on the back face of the glass. You may want to think carefully before buying an example with a chipped or cracked glass.
All faces are brushed with sharp edges. Buttons are chrome plated, captive to the case (press fit, no c clips) and prone to brassing.
All of the Catena Spacesonics that I have seen (mostly in photos.....) have been fitted with unbranded ESA movements. There is a note in this reference that they used Brietling branded movements - http://70swatchesgallery.wordpress.com/2011/03/29/spaceman-spacesonic/ - I think this is incorrect.
Time for a cup of tea.
There were four basic variants of these watches - two case styles each available with either ESA9315 or ESA942.711 movements. The case style shown on the left was sold under Catena brand but also in the UK rebranded for Limit International. The Limit International version is identical to the Catena version of this case style with the exception of the glass legend and the case back - which lacks the moulded Catena logo in its centre.
The Limit Watch was sold with the small Catena logo on the clasp. The glass has "Swiss Made" written across the top, "Quartz" bottom left and "Limit International" bottom right - all are printed on the back surface of the glass in mirrored letters that often don't photograph well.
The strap has a high quality solid construction with clearly identifiable details on the back and sides - useful when assessing a watches authenticity from photos. The back cover has exactly the same etched markings (font, size, Part Number "394-118", etc) as the Catena version of this watch but without the Catena logo in the middle. A further detail present on both Limit and Catena back covers is the opening 'lip' visible on the perimeter next to the word 'STEEL'.
All of the outside surfaces of the watch are brushed and the case shape/back has a deeply scalloped shape.
The case style on the right in the first photo is perhaps harder to find. My example is an ESA9315 version that is branded CaRena. Doensens book shows a CaTena branded watch in this case style and with this strap - but the only other images of a watch in this style that I have seen (here http://www.digitalwatches.de/ENGLISH_INDEX.HTM under 'Catena') also show a CaRena branded watch - in that case an ESA942.711 version with a different strap and unbranded clasp. I have no idea why this version was apparently sold under the CaRena brand.
The original strap has a rather large Catena logo on the clasp. The strap doesn't have removable links and doesn't have quite the same solidity of the strap on the other case style.
The case back has the same deeply embossed Catena logo as the Catena versions of the other case style but with slightly different layout and lettering (hyphens between the words, "Swiss Quartz" instead of "Quartz", Part Number "390-118"). My case back, under magnification, shows no signs of ever having been brushed so was perhaps sold polished. It also has the opening 'lip' visible on the perimeter next to the word 'STAINLESS'. The 'Hood' of the watch is attached via two screws - through the case from between the top lugs - and is simply removed to facilitate cleaning.
The coolest thing about this variant is the glass. It is a single piece of glass with a total of 8 facets. The legend/dial is printed on the back face of the glass. You may want to think carefully before buying an example with a chipped or cracked glass.
All faces are brushed with sharp edges. Buttons are chrome plated, captive to the case (press fit, no c clips) and prone to brassing.
All of the Catena Spacesonics that I have seen (mostly in photos.....) have been fitted with unbranded ESA movements. There is a note in this reference that they used Brietling branded movements - http://70swatchesgallery.wordpress.com/2011/03/29/spaceman-spacesonic/ - I think this is incorrect.
Time for a cup of tea.