On March 1, 1965, the Speedmaster was chosen to equip NASA astronauts—becoming the only watch to successfully pass the agency’s rigorous tests. Sixty years later, Swatch celebrates this milestone in its own unique way.
Originally, there were six models. Then three, and finally only one remained. Swatch creatively reflects on this evolution in its boutiques: in a small display case marked “1965” sit three watches – in the center, the new MoonSwatch 1965; to the left, a replica of the Longines Wittnauer 235T; and to the right, a bioceramic replica of the Rolex reference 6238, with its dial subtly marked by an “X” instead of the usual crown emblem. These pieces, destined to become collectors’ items and never to be resold, will be available only when they exit the display cases.
This bold approach evokes the memory of 1965, when only the watch that would become the MoonWatch managed to meet NASA’s high standards. For the United States’ burgeoning space program, it was crucial to have a reliable, precise, and easily readable timepiece for manned space missions—a tool designed to accompany every future flight in the race to conquer the Moon.
