The Watches of Artemis II and the Stories They Carry Forward

When we talk about watches in space, the conversation usually begins with the past. The Moonwatch. The Apollo missions. The idea that a mechanical object could withstand the most extreme conditions imaginable. But with Artemis II, the story shifts. It is no longer only about what worked then. It is about what continues to work now, and how that legacy evolves alongside modern spaceflight. 

For this mission, astronauts are issued the Omega Speedmaster X-33 Generation 2. At the same time, astronaut Jeremy Hansen has been seen wearing a Breitling Navitimer Cosmonaute B02 in the lead-up to launch. One is assigned. One is chosen. Together, they reflect two different ways of thinking about time in space.

The Watch Designed for Today’s Mission

The Omega Speedmaster X-33 does not rely on nostalgia. It was developed with astronauts and built specifically for the realities of modern space travel. Its analog-digital display, lightweight titanium construction, and mission-specific timing functions reflect a different kind of need than what defined the Apollo era. 

Astronauts today operate within highly advanced systems, surrounded by digital interfaces and redundant technologies. In that environment, the watch becomes something more personal. It is not the primary system, but it is still essential. It offers clarity, immediacy, and a human-scale interaction with time in a place where everything else can feel abstract. The X-33 represents a quiet evolution. It does not replace history, but it adapts it.

The Watch That Solved a Human Problem

Long before Artemis, before even the Moon landings, the challenge of time in space had already surfaced. In 1962, astronaut Scott Carpenter needed a way to understand time while orbiting Earth. Traditional twelve-hour dials no longer made sense when the sun rose and set multiple times within a single day. The answer became the Cosmonaute, a watch built around a 24-hour dial. Today’s Breitling Cosmonaute B02 carries that same idea forward. It is rooted in aviation, but shaped by space. When Jeremy Hansen wears it, it feels less like a statement and more like a continuation of a question that astronauts have been asking for decades. How do we stay oriented when the familiar rhythms of Earth fall away?

A Moment Where Past and Future Meet

What makes Artemis II compelling is not just that it returns humans to lunar space, but that it does so with a layered sense of history. The Omega Speedmaster X-33 reflects where spaceflight is now. It is engineered for a world of advanced systems and evolving mission needs. The Breitling Cosmonaute reflects how astronauts once adapted in real time, solving problems that had no precedent. Both watches exist within the same moment, but they come from very different origins. Together, they offer a fuller picture of what it means to measure time beyond Earth.

A Connection Close to Home

Near the NASA Johnson Space Center, the presence of space exploration is part of the everyday landscape. It is not something distant or abstract. It is something that people build, test, and prepare for just minutes away. 

Over the years, we have had the opportunity to experience small moments where that world overlaps with ours. Astronauts have joined us during events with Omega and Breitling, sharing stories and perspectives that bring a different kind of meaning to the watches themselves. 

In 2019, during the anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing, we spent time with astronauts including Michael J. Bloomfield, Joseph Acaba, Carl Walz, and Kathryn Hire. More recently, Nicole Stott visited our Omega Boutique in The Woodlands.

There have also been quieter moments of connection. We have created custom signet shuttle rings inspired by the shuttle launch patch design for NASA astronaut Kevin Ford, along with Russian cosmonauts Oleg Novitskiy and Evgeny Tarelkin, in 2012. Those pieces have traveled to space themselves, carrying with them a small, personal extension of the mission. These experiences are not about proximity or recognition. They are reminders that space exploration is ultimately human, shaped by individuals, relationships, and the objects they choose to bring with them.

Reflecting on Time

The story of watches in space has always been about more than precision. It is about how people orient themselves in unfamiliar environments. It is about trust in something tangible when everything else feels distant. It is about the quiet reassurance of looking down at your wrist and seeing something familiar. With Artemis II, that story continues in a new way. Not as a repetition of the past, but as an extension of it.

Two watches. Two histories. One shared purpose. And a reminder that even as technology advances, our relationship with time remains deeply human.

FAQ

What watch do Artemis II astronauts wear?
Astronauts on Artemis II are issued the Omega Speedmaster X-33 Generation 2, a NASA-qualified watch designed for modern space missions.

Why is the Omega Speedmaster X-33 used instead of the traditional Moonwatch?
The X-33 includes digital functionality, mission timers, and enhanced usability that align with today’s spacecraft systems and astronaut needs.

What is the Breitling Cosmonaute?
The Breitling Cosmonaute is a 24-hour chronograph originally developed in 1962 for astronaut Scott Carpenter to help track time in orbit.

Are watches still necessary in modern space missions?
Yes. While spacecraft systems are highly advanced, watches serve as reliable, personal tools that provide redundancy and immediate access to timekeeping functions.

NASA astronaut Kevin Ford, along with Russian cosmonauts Oleg Novitskiy and Evgeny Tarelkin, wearing custom Shuttle Signet rings made by Lewis Jewelers. October 2012