| Information on the impact Omega watches have had | | | | the watch was simply worn conventionally. However, |
| on NASA astronauts | | | | during the extra vehicular activities the astronauts |
| Copyright (c) 2007 WatchesOnNet | | | | wore the watches on the outside of their pressure |
| There are countless achievements Omega watches | | | | suits. In order to adjust to the change, a long Velcro |
| have experienced over its existence, but their | | | | strap was designed to accommodate the extra width |
| association with NASA is perhaps the most significant. | | | | needed. |
| To have the honor of astronauts sporting your watch | | | | The first American to walk in space, Edward H. White, |
| in space is something that Omega has taken pride in. | | | | wore his speedmaster during his Gemini 4 spacewalk. |
| This is the kind of exposure that can and did assist | | | | Other astronauts that have sported an Omega watch |
| Omega in gaining success. | | | | while in space include Bill Anders and Jim Lovell from |
| It all started in 1957 when NASA supplied each of the | | | | Apollo 8, Neil Armstrong and Mike Collins from Apollo 11 |
| Apollo astronauts with a standard Omega | | | | and Fred Haise from Apollo 13. There have been |
| Speedmaster Professional manual-wind wristwatch. | | | | many more astronauts to wear Omega watches, but |
| Despite having almost all equipment manufactured for | | | | these are just a few. |
| use specifically for NASA or in space, the Omega | | | | A number of the watches worn by NASA astronauts |
| watch given to the astronauts was not. Because of | | | | are displayed in various places around the world. For |
| this, NASA had to go through a number of tests to | | | | instance, the watches worn by Neil Armstrong and |
| make sure the watches were sufficient enough. | | | | Mike Collins are currently at the National Air and Space |
| Beginning in 1962, NASA began purchasing examples | | | | Museum in Washington D.C. Other places that various |
| of a number of commercially available watches. In | | | | watches are located at include the Museum of |
| doing so, they could better test the various watches | | | | Science and Industry in Chicago, The Omega Museum |
| on the market to see what watch would have the | | | | in Switzerland and the U.S. Naval Academy in |
| best results. After testing a number of different | | | | Annapolis. |
| watches, it was decided that Omega watches had the | | | | Although the locations of al the Omega watches worn |
| best success. | | | | by NASA astronauts is not exactly clear, the ones |
| The timepieces that were given to the astronauts | | | | that are displayed play a big part of history for Omega |
| were intended on being worn for intra and extra | | | | and NASA. Many present astronauts still wear the |
| vehicular activities, including the moonwalks on the | | | | Omega speedmaster on shuttle missions. |
| various missions. Inside the pressurized environment | | | | |