Most famous The space watch is definitely the Omega Speedmaster. In fact, so well known, it is one of the very few iconic watches that is instantly recognizable beyond watch enthusiasts.
What is not known to many are the extreme tests that NASA put the original Speedmaster 321 through. At the start of the Gemini program in 1961, NASA realized that its astronauts needed a watch that could cope with the extreme temperatures and g-forces experienced during space flight. So, in October 1964, wristwatch manufacturers were contacted and asked to send watches that they felt would work for space missions. Only four brands were brave enough to heed the call: Hamilton, Rolex, Longines and Omega.
NASA immediately denied Hamilton’s entry. Somewhat confusingly, the company came up with a wristwatch instead of a pocket watch. The space agency then put the Rolex, Longines and Omega entries through 11 tests designed to simulate conditions in space and on the moon itself.
These endurance tests include spending 48 hours at 70°C, 30 minutes at 93°C, then four hours at -18°C; fifteen 45-minute cycles alternating between 71°C and -18°C; acceleration from a stop to 7.25 g in five minutes, then 16 g in 30 seconds, along three axes; vibrations from 5 to 2,000 Hz along three axes, with an acceleration of at least 8.8 g; and decompress for 90 min near vacuum at 10-6 atmosphere.
Both Rolex and Longines failed the high temperature tests, but Omega continued to operate through all 11 tests and it was awarded a valid NASA certification. So the fit will make up our list below of a select group of five watches connected to space adventures.
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