Sixty years ago, NASA certified the Omega Speedmaster as the first watch for space travel, etching its legacy as one of the most significant timepieces of the 20th century. As Omega commemorates this momentous anniversary, an exhilarating new wave of space-themed watches is surging through the industry, fueled by the rise of private space exploration.

Among the standout pieces is Louis Vuitton's stunning Tambour Taiko Galactique. This awe-inspiring 47mm timepiece combines titanium and white gold, showcasing animated elements that bring the dial to life: when the hour chimes, an astronaut plants his branded flag on the Moon, while satellites adjust their solar panels and shooting stars flit around the Sun. Priced in the seven-figure range, it's a lavish homage to space exploration, featuring four distinct types of enameling and straying far from the realm of practical, tool watches.

Not to be outdone, Rado has unveiled the Diastar Original x Tej Chauhan, a watch inspired by the sci-fi film *Ad Astra*. With an oversized oval case reminiscent of Brad Pitt's astronaut helmet, British designer Tej Chauhan channels the aesthetics of the 'near future'. 'I was influenced by AI-driven futures and images of moonbases and gold-tinted helmets,' he says.

In a more pragmatic approach, IWC has crafted four Pilot’s Chronographs for the Polaris Dawn mission, operated by Elon Musk's SpaceX. This groundbreaking flight, led by entrepreneur Jared Isaacman, marked the beginning of a series designed for medical research over its five-day journey. IWC’s sturdy white ceramic watches not only survived a spacewalk but were later auctioned for charity.

For those craving a watch that has truly ventured into space, they can turn to German watchmaker Fortis. Under new management, Fortis is committed to designing timepieces suitable for manned Mars missions and has worked closely with various space agencies. Notably, in 2021, the brand launched 13 in-house chronographs to 30km altitude with the Swedish Space Corporation, ensuring all were still operational after a parachute landing in a Finnish forest. In 2024, modified Novonaut watches will accompany the Amadee-24 mission, which aims to replicate Martian conditions.

If an officially approved watch is on your shopping list but you're not keen on Omega, consider Micromilspec. This enterprising Norwegian company specializes in durable tools for industries like oil, gas, and the military. In 2023, they became the official watchmaker for the U.S. Space Force (USSF) after a lengthy two-year negotiation. Their focus isn't on advanced materials for space, but rather on producing reliable unit watches for the military.

Aiming to push the boundaries further is Karel Bachand, a former NASA engineer and the visionary behind Barrelhand. His latest prototype watch, the Monolith EVA, incorporates cutting-edge 3D printing technologies, with components that traveled to the Moon with Intuitive Machines in a 2024 mission. Bachand’s designs meticulously reconsider every mechanical aspect for suitability in space, from shock resistance to innovative straps tailored for use during spacewalks.