When it comes to precision, durability, and reliability, no field demands more from a wristwatch than space exploration. From the early Mercury missions to the Apollo moon landings and the International Space Station (ISS), watches have been vital tools for astronauts. But which watches made it to space? And why did NASA choose them?
Here’s the fascinating history of NASA-approved watches, and the story of the first timepieces to orbit the Earth and land on the Moon.
The First Watch in Space
The first wristwatch worn in space wasn’t by an American—it was by cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin in 1961. He wore a Sturmanskie, a Soviet-made pilot’s watch, during his Vostok 1 mission—the first human spaceflight in history.
NASA’s Most Famous Watch: The Omega Speedmaster
In the early 1960s, NASA began testing watches to find one suitable for space missions. After brutal tests of temperature, vacuum, humidity, shock, and acceleration, only one watch passed:
Omega Speedmaster Professional
Nicknamed the “Moonwatch”, this chronograph was officially certified by NASA for all manned space missions in 1965.
- Worn by Buzz Aldrin during the Apollo 11 Moon landing (1969)
- Survived the Apollo 13 crisis, helping astronauts time critical maneuvers manually
- Still flown today on various missions
Other Watches Used by NASA
Although the Speedmaster is the icon, other models have accompanied astronauts too:
- Casio G-Shock: Used in modern ISS missions due to shock resistance and durability
- Timex Ironman: Occasionally worn for personal use
- Garmin smartwatches: Used for biometric tracking and training
- Bulova Lunar Pilot: Worn unofficially by astronaut Dave Scott on the Moon (Apollo 15)
What Makes a Watch Spaceworthy?
- Manual winding (no automatic rotor needed in zero gravity)
- Extreme temperature resistance
- No radio signal dependence
- Readable under pressure and in the dark
- Reliable mechanical chronograph function
Legacy of Space Watches
Space-certified watches like the Omega Speedmaster have become symbols of exploration and endurance. For collectors, they are more than just timepieces—they are historical instruments worn during humanity’s greatest adventures.
SEO SETTINGS
- Title: Watches in Space: NASA’s Timepieces and the First Watches on the Moon
- Meta Description (160 karakter): Discover which watches NASA astronauts wore in space and on the Moon. Learn about the Omega Speedmaster and the legacy of space-approved watches.
- Keywords: NASA watches, Omega Speedmaster, Moonwatch, first watch in space, astronaut watches, watches worn in space, Apollo 11 watch
VISUAL PROMPT (Image Generation)
“An Omega Speedmaster resting on a piece of space suit fabric, with the Moon’s surface in the blurred background. The watch face is illuminated softly, showing the chronograph dial. A historical yet futuristic tone, with subtle NASA patch details.”
