Automatic Watches
Watches in Space: Timepieces That Have Been to Space
By Argos Watches
Hello, space cadets and horophiles! Ever wonder what kind of watch you'd be wearing if you were zooming around in a spaceship? Well, buckle up or rather, buckle down and strap on-as we're about to blast off into the amazing world of watches that have been to space!
Why Do Astronauts Need Watches Anyway?
You might be thinking now, "Wait a minute, don't spaceships have fancy clocks built in?" And to that, well, you wouldn't be wrong! But say your ship's systems went offline that's space talk for stopped working. You'd want a backup, right? That's where these super-cool space watches come in handy.
Besides, when you are floating around in your spacesuit outside the ship, it is a lot easier to glance at your wrist rather than carrying a big clock with you. Imagine doing a spacewalk and carrying a grandfather clock! Talk about being an alien in space!
Besides, when you are floating around in your spacesuit outside the ship, it is a lot easier to glance at your wrist rather than carrying a big clock with you. Imagine doing a spacewalk and carrying a grandfather clock! Talk about being an alien in space!
The Superstar Space Watch: Omega Speedmaster
If watches could be movie stars, then Omega Speedmaster would be the Tom Hanks of space watches: everybody knows it, everybody loves it, and it's been in a ton of great space "movies"!
The Speedmaster went to space for the first time in 1962, but the "Moonwatch," as space buffs prefer to call it, has a bigger claim to fame: it was on Neil Armstrong's and Buzz Aldrin's wrists when they took that "one small step" in 1969. How cool is that?
It was not as if NASA simply chose the watch because it looked cute; it does indeed look quite snazzy. But for its excellent build and use of materials to withstand the level of pressure, it will be put through in the space.
We are talking extreme temperatures, bones-shaking vibrations, and wild pressure changes. You know what? The Speedmaster passed with flying colors, proving to be tough enough for the cruel vastness of space.
The Speedmaster went to space for the first time in 1962, but the "Moonwatch," as space buffs prefer to call it, has a bigger claim to fame: it was on Neil Armstrong's and Buzz Aldrin's wrists when they took that "one small step" in 1969. How cool is that?
It was not as if NASA simply chose the watch because it looked cute; it does indeed look quite snazzy. But for its excellent build and use of materials to withstand the level of pressure, it will be put through in the space.
We are talking extreme temperatures, bones-shaking vibrations, and wild pressure changes. You know what? The Speedmaster passed with flying colors, proving to be tough enough for the cruel vastness of space.
The Rival Space Watch Challenger: Fortis Cosmonauts Chronograph
While the Speedmaster was off hanging out with NASA astronauts, this was another watch that seemed to be making friends with the Russian cosmonauts. Meet the Fortis Cosmonauts Chronograph!
This tough little ticker became the official watch of the Russian space program in 1994. It's the sport utility vehicle of watches: rugged, reliable and ready for anything. Cosmonauts have worn it on space walks, inside space stations, even used it to time their experiments.
How cool is that? It's got a 24-hour dial, because in space you can see up to 16 sunrises in one Earth day! Talk about playing havoc with your body clock!
This tough little ticker became the official watch of the Russian space program in 1994. It's the sport utility vehicle of watches: rugged, reliable and ready for anything. Cosmonauts have worn it on space walks, inside space stations, even used it to time their experiments.
How cool is that? It's got a 24-hour dial, because in space you can see up to 16 sunrises in one Earth day! Talk about playing havoc with your body clock!
The New Kid on the Space Block: Omega X-33
Just because something's a classic doesn't mean it can't get an upgrade. Enter the Omega X-33, otherwise known as the "Mars Watch"-talk about shooting for the stars!
The X-33 is the smartwatch of space watches, boasting lots and lots of cool features, including multiple alarms, a mission timer, and even ways of tracking time in various zones. Because you never know you might want to know if it's lunch back on Earth while you're floating around in space. This watch had some help in its design from astronauts, so you know it has all the features a space traveler could want.
It's been to the International Space Station many times and is a favorite among modern astronauts.
The X-33 is the smartwatch of space watches, boasting lots and lots of cool features, including multiple alarms, a mission timer, and even ways of tracking time in various zones. Because you never know you might want to know if it's lunch back on Earth while you're floating around in space. This watch had some help in its design from astronauts, so you know it has all the features a space traveler could want.
It's been to the International Space Station many times and is a favorite among modern astronauts.
Timekeeping Challenges in Space
Telling the time in space, now you might think it is pretty much like it is on Earth, only floatier. But no, it's not quite that simple! Space sort of throws a whole bunch of curveballs at our poor little watches.
For one, there is the issue of no gravity. On Earth, gravity pulls to keep watch movements running properly; in space, not so much. Manufacturers had to get creative to ensure their watches kept ticking in zero-G.
Then there's the temperature problem. In space, it gets hotter than hot when you are in the sun and colder than cold when you're in the shade. Think of your watch going from sauna to freezer and back again - several times a day!
Let's not forget the changes in pressure: from Earth to space, it is basically like plunging down to an extreme depth of the ocean, only to shoot up to the surface but much more so. For regular watches, that would just make them go "pop!" But for space watches? That is an easy, cool stretch.
For one, there is the issue of no gravity. On Earth, gravity pulls to keep watch movements running properly; in space, not so much. Manufacturers had to get creative to ensure their watches kept ticking in zero-G.
Then there's the temperature problem. In space, it gets hotter than hot when you are in the sun and colder than cold when you're in the shade. Think of your watch going from sauna to freezer and back again - several times a day!
Let's not forget the changes in pressure: from Earth to space, it is basically like plunging down to an extreme depth of the ocean, only to shoot up to the surface but much more so. For regular watches, that would just make them go "pop!" But for space watches? That is an easy, cool stretch.
Why These Watches are Cool!
What makes space watches cool is that not only have they been in the most inhospitable known place to man, but they also prove just how resourceful and resilient humans can be.
Think about it, we created these tiny machines that could work perfectly in an environment completely different from Earth. They were part of some of the biggest adventures in human history. Every time an astronaut checks their time up there, it is like a little piece of Earth is with them in space.
Think about it, we created these tiny machines that could work perfectly in an environment completely different from Earth. They were part of some of the biggest adventures in human history. Every time an astronaut checks their time up there, it is like a little piece of Earth is with them in space.
Conclusion: The Future of Space Watches
With our aspiration of flying to Mars and beyond, be certain the watch will go along with it. Perhaps in some time, we see watches that can give the exact time on Mars or manage the extreme radiation near Jupiter.
For the immediate future, however, these fantastic space watches tell us that even while we reach for the stars, we still want to know what time it is at home. After all, no matter how far we go, Earth is still where the heart is-and where we left our favorite TV shows!
At Argos we are too inspired by the mystery that space is and the space watches. The name Apollo for our collection gives it away mostly.
So the next time you check your watch, remember: its cousins have gone into space and helped explore the final frontier. Pretty amazing for something most of us just use to avoid being late for lunch! Who knows? Maybe someday you will be checking the time on Mars. Until then, keep watching the skies and your watches!
For the immediate future, however, these fantastic space watches tell us that even while we reach for the stars, we still want to know what time it is at home. After all, no matter how far we go, Earth is still where the heart is-and where we left our favorite TV shows!
At Argos we are too inspired by the mystery that space is and the space watches. The name Apollo for our collection gives it away mostly.
So the next time you check your watch, remember: its cousins have gone into space and helped explore the final frontier. Pretty amazing for something most of us just use to avoid being late for lunch! Who knows? Maybe someday you will be checking the time on Mars. Until then, keep watching the skies and your watches!
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