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most famous The space watch is undoubtedly the Omega Speedmaster. In fact, it is so famous that it is one of the few iconic timepieces that can be immediately recognized, far beyond the category of watch lovers.
Little known is NASA’s extreme testing of the original 321 Speedmaster. When the Gemini Project was launched in 1961, NASA realized that its astronauts needed a watch that could cope with the extreme temperatures and gravity experienced during space flight. So in October 1964, watch manufacturers were contacted and asked to submit watches that they thought were suitable for space missions. Only four brands have enough courage to respond to the call: Hamilton, Rolex, Longines and Omega.
NASA immediately dismissed Hamilton’s entry. Somewhat inexplicably, the company submitted watches instead of pocket watches. The space agency subsequently conducted 11 tests on the entries of Rolex, Longines and Omega, designed to simulate the conditions of space and the moon itself.
These durability tests consisted of 48 hours at 70°C, then 30 minutes at 93°C, and 4 hours at -18°C; 15 alternating between 71°C and -18°C 45-minute cycle; acceleration from standstill to 7.25 g in 5 minutes, then 16 g along three axes for 30 seconds; vibration along three axes from 5 to 2,000 Hz, acceleration of at least 8.8 g; and at 10 ℃ Decompress in a near vacuum for 90 minutes-6 atmosphere.
Rolex and Longines failed in high temperature tests, but Omega passed all 11 tests and received official certification from NASA. Therefore, it led us to make a curated list of five watches related to space adventures below.
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