What was the first watch in space? Find out what astronauts wear on their wrists
Did you know that the first watch that flew into space wasn't on a human wrist, but... attached to a dog's leg? The history of timepieces in space is a fascinating story of technological rivalry, astronaut courage, and extraordinary precision that could save lives. From the Soviet Pobeda and Gagarin's Sturmanskie to the legendary Omega Speedmaster, which passed NASA's most brutal tests – each of these watches became part of space exploration history. Discover what astronauts actually wear on their wrists and why even today, in the smartwatch era, they still choose mechanical legends.
Not just Gagarin – learn the true history of the first watch that flew into space (and it wasn't on a human wrist!)
When you think of the first watch in space, Yuri Gagarin and his legendary Sturmanskie probably immediately come to mind. But the story begins earlier – and in a way that can surprise even the greatest watch enthusiasts. On March 9, 1961, over a month before Gagarin's flight, a Soviet female dog named Chernushka set out into space aboard Korabl-Sputnik 4. A Pobeda 34-K watch was attached to her leg, and the experiment was designed to test how mechanical devices would cope with the extreme conditions of launch, g-forces, and vacuum. The dog returned safe and sound – and with it the watch, which can now be considered the first timepiece to leave Earth.
This story shows that before humans even looked at Earth from orbit, a mechanical watch was already there first. Interestingly, the idea of attaching a watch to an animal came from Dr. Abraham Genin, a scientist who wanted to test the reliability of Soviet constructions before a manned flight. Although this mission is rarely mentioned, it was the Pobeda 34-K that paved the way for tests that would define entire generations of aviation and space watches in the years to come.
Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra "PyeongChang 2018" Limited Edition is a unique tribute to sporting spirit and precision, designed for the Winter Olympics in Korea. The limited edition features a blue dial with vertical guilloche and colorful "PYEONGCHANG 2018" details, symbolizing passion, perfection, and Olympic energy.
Only on April 12, 1961, when Gagarin set out aboard Vostok 1, did a watch first appear on a human wrist in space. Sturmanskie watches, which were only given to graduates of military flight schools, were not available for sale. They were a symbol of trust and prestige – proof that a pilot had completed a long training path and earned this privilege. It was this watch that accompanied Gagarin during the 108 minutes that changed history. It had no water resistance, wasn't a "space" model in today's sense, but it worked perfectly – which was enough to forever be recorded in the history of space exploration.
From Pobeda to Speedmaster – the story of how Omega conquered space and defeated the competition in NASA tests
When NASA began planning manned space flights in the 1960s, no one suspected that one of the most important pieces of astronaut equipment would be a mechanical watch. And yet – engineers knew that in case of onboard electronic system failure, astronauts needed to be able to manually measure time. That's why in 1964, official testing of wristwatches began, designed to meet the most brutal conditions imaginable.
Four brands entered the tests: Omega, Rolex, Longines-Wittnauer, and Hamilton. Right from the start, Hamilton was eliminated because they sent a pocket watch instead of a wristwatch. Three remained. Each watch had to pass 11 NASA tests, including extreme temperatures, vacuum, vibrations, humidity, corrosion, and even exposure to 130-decibel sound. Rolex and Longines failed at the thermal vacuum test stage – only the Omega Speedmaster ref. 105.003 survived everything.
That's when the legend was born. On March 1, 1965, Omega received NASA's official certification: Flight Qualified for All Manned Space Missions. Three weeks later, during the Gemini 3 mission, the Omega watch flew into space as part of standard equipment. Astronauts loved its reliability and simplicity – in a world where the smallest error could cost lives, the Speedmaster was a symbol of trust.
From that moment on, Omega was an inseparable companion of American space missions – from Gemini, through Apollo, to Skylab. Interestingly, the brand didn't know NASA was testing its watches – only photos from the first American spacewalk in 1965 revealed that astronaut Ed White was wearing a Speedmaster. This event completely changed the brand's history, which to this day can use the slogan: "First Watch Worn on the Moon."
Omega Speedmaster Racing Co-Axial Master Chronometer Chronograph is a tribute to motorsport precision and elegance, combining excellent performance with timeless style. Its characteristic asphalt-textured dial and Master Chronometer certification make it a watch created for those who value perfection in every detail.
When time decided life or death – how Omega saved the astronauts of Apollo 13 mission
The story of the Apollo 13 mission is one of the most emotional moments in space exploration history – and one that best shows why a simple mechanical watch can be more important in a crisis than the most advanced computers. On April 13, 1970, at 10:08 PM, an oxygen tank explosion occurred in the service module. Instead of landing on the Moon, astronauts James Lovell, Jack Swigert, and Fred Haise fought for survival.
All electronic systems were reduced to minimum to conserve energy. When it turned out the capsule had deviated from course, a precise 14-second engine maneuver had to be performed to restore the proper return trajectory. Computers couldn't be used – only the Omega Speedmaster Professional, Swigert's watch, which was used to precisely measure time, was working. Lovell maintained course while watching Earth's horizon, and Swigert counted down the seconds. Their precision saved the entire crew.
After a safe splashdown in the Pacific on April 17, 1970, NASA awarded Omega the prestigious Silver Snoopy Award – the highest recognition for contribution to space mission safety. Since then, Snoopy has become one of the brand's symbols, and special edition watches featuring him are among the most coveted by collectors. Today, every owner of this model knows they're wearing not just a luxury item, but also a symbol of courage, precision, and human survival instinct.
Why do they still wear mechanical watches in the smartwatch era? An answer that will surprise every technology fan
In the age of smartwatches that measure pulse, sleep, and count steps, it's hard to believe that NASA astronauts still rely on mechanical watches. And yet – the reason is simple: in space, electronics often fail. Batteries don't withstand extreme temperatures, LCD displays crack or go dark, and delicate integrated circuits can stop working after just a few minutes of vacuum exposure. A mechanical hand-wound watch, without batteries and liquid crystals, simply works – regardless of conditions.
Watches like the Omega Speedmaster Professional have fully mechanical movements that can be wound manually, even in thick spacesuit gloves. That's precisely why NASA still uses them during EVAs (spacewalks). Newer, quartz models – like the Omega Speedmaster X-33 or Skywalker X-33 – are designed for work inside the station, where stable conditions prevail. Astronauts often wear two watches simultaneously: a classic Speedmaster as backup and the X-33 for operating digital functions.
Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 15'007 Gauss is an exceptional watch that combines unparalleled precision with elegant sporting character. Thanks to its resistance to magnetic fields up to 15,000 gauss and unique DNA-structure-inspired dial, it represents a symbol of innovation and excellence in Swiss craftsmanship.
Interestingly, despite enormous technological progress, no smartwatch has obtained NASA certification for spacewalks. Mechanics still wins over electronics because it provides something that can't be programmed – absolute reliability. Today, the Speedmaster is not just a working tool for astronauts, but also a symbol of tradition and precision that has survived six decades of cooperation with NASA and represents watchmaking artistry appreciated by watch enthusiasts worldwide. Modern editions of Swiss Omega watches available in our online watch store preserve the spirit of the original while delighting with precision, premium-class materials, and timeless design that works perfectly not only in space, but also in everyday style.
Krzysztof Szopa
Watch Expert
An expert associated with the WestWatches.pl brand, a place that has been providing watches for every occasion for years. Thanks to many years of experience in the watchmaking and jewelry industry, he passionately shares his knowledge, offering professional advice both in the online and physical store. He specializes in selecting original watches, watch accessories, and jewelry products that combine exceptional quality with competitive prices. His goal is to help customers find the ideal product that will meet their expectations and emphasize their style.
See popular articles
Super-LumiNova vs Tritium – which lasts longer and which luminescence should you choose?
Super-LumiNova glows more brightly after being exposed to light, but its brightness gradually fades. Trithium glows constantly without needing to be charged by light, meaning it remains legible throughout the night, and its practical lifespan is around 20–25 years. The choice therefore depends mainly on how and when you use your watch after dark. Find out which type of luminescence best suits your needs and choose a watch that will remain legible when you really need it to be.
How to choose a watch strap? Width, material and style – get it right every time
A well-chosen strap can make the same watch look elegant, sporty or much more casual. However, before you start choosing the colour and material, check the width of the attachment point on the case and the circumference of your wrist. Only then should you decide whether leather, rubber, nylon or metal would be the best choice. This will help you avoid a situation where a visually appealing strap turns out to be too narrow, too long or simply uncomfortable.
Incabloc in a watch – how does it protect the movement from the effects of impacts?
A mechanical watch consists of many tiny components, some of which are particularly sensitive to shocks. Incabloc helps to protect one of the most delicate parts of the movement – the balance staff. Find out how this anti-shock system works and why it has been used in watchmaking for decades.
The rotor in an automatic watch – how does the rotor wind the movement whilst the watch is being worn?
An automatic watch can run without a battery, using the movement of the wrist. How is this possible? It is down to a small but very important part of the mechanism – the rotor, also known as the oscillating weight. Find out how it works and why it is so important to the operation of an automatic watch.
How do you measure your wrist and choose the right watch size?
A well-chosen watch should suit the proportions of your wrist, sit comfortably on your wrist and not restrict your movement. That’s why, before choosing a specific model, it’s worth starting with a simple measurement. Find out how to measure the circumference of your wrist, how to match the result to the case size, and what to look out for when choosing a strap or bracelet.
Big Date – how do the large date display and the dual date window on a watch work?
Some watches display the date in a way that’s hard to miss – with large, clear numerals in a separate window. Behind this simple effect lies an interesting mechanism and a number of different design solutions. Find out what a ‘big date’ is, how a double date display works, and what sets it apart from a classic date display.
Jumping hour – how does this unusual complication work?
Mechanical watches can display the time in far more ways than the classic hand layout suggests. One of the most interesting is the ‘jumping hour’ – a mechanism that combines traditional mechanics with an unconventional way of displaying the time. How exactly does this mechanism work, where did the idea come from, and why does it still attract the attention of collectors today? Find out what lies behind the characteristic ‘jump’ of the hour.
Retrograde hand — how does a retrograde hand work?
Retrograde is a watch complication that immediately catches the eye. Instead of making a full rotation around the dial, the hand moves along a designated arc, and upon reaching the end of the scale, it instantly returns to the start and begins the countdown anew. It can be used to display the date, the day of the week, minutes, seconds, power reserve or a second time zone. This striking movement is therefore not merely decorative, but part of a precisely engineered mechanism. Find out how the retrograde display works and in which watches you can see it in action.
A watch as a gift for your husband – ideas that will suit his taste
Are you looking for a gift for your husband that’s elegant, practical and suits his style? A watch is always a good choice, whatever the occasion, but choosing one can be tricky given the sheer number of models available. Find out how sports, dress, military and luxury watches differ, and how to choose the right movement, features and case size to ensure the gift really suits the recipient’s taste.