First, let’s go back to how the Omega Speedmaster ended up on the wrists of NASA astronauts. In 1963, the US government launched the Apollo program – a set of missions intended to land humans on the Moon; and bring them back to Earth safely. This mission was a follow up to Project Mercury, which landed the first Americans in space. A year after, NASA began their search for a reliable timepiece that astronauts can use in space and can serve as the official watch of the program. Four brands responded to their calls, namely Omega, Longines-Wittnauer, Rolex, and Hamilton. After a series of torturous tests done on the watches, only the Omega chronograph passed. It became the official watch of NASA astronauts, and remains so until today. |