The Watches Worn On The NASA Artemis II Mission
This month began with the exciting launch of Artemis II on April 1st, 2026, at 22:35:12 (UTC). I stayed up to watch the launch (00:35 here) and witness this next chapter in NASA’s Moon exploration.
The four crew members of Artemis II — Image: NASA
The space-qualified watches
It’s the first human-crewed lunar voyage since 1972. During that mission, all astronauts wore the Omega Speedmaster (with caliber 321), as you know (and yes, NASA astronaut Ron Evans had an 861-powered Speedmaster with him for onboard experiments). Other watches have also seen wrist time in space, but they were personal property of astronauts and cosmonauts.
Astronauts Glover and Hansen, wearing the X-33 over the orange NASA suit — Image: NASA
To this day, the official equipment remains the Omega Speedmaster. The Speedmaster Professional X-33 (since 1998) is intended for use aboard the spacecraft, and the hand-wound Speedmaster Professional is for EVA (extra-vehicular activities).
Speedmaster X-33 3291.50.00
Omega Speedmaster X-33 Generation 2
All four NASA astronauts are equipped with the proven Speedmaster X-33. Commander Reis Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, Mission Specialist Christina Koch, and Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen each wear the second-generation X-33 (ref. 3291.50.00). At Fratello, we’ve published many articles about the Grade 2 titanium Omega Speedmaster X-33, which you can find here. NASA General Thomas P. Stafford helped develop the first-generation X-33, and after testing in space (1996), the watch debuted in 1998. The second edition of the X-33 was introduced in 2001 and discontinued in 2006 — for the public, that is.
Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Jeremy Hansen wearing his X-33 Gen 2 during preparations
Omega still produces these for NASA secretly (well, not anymore, I suppose). Interestingly, the NASA-only version goes by Omega’s reference number 318.90.45.79.01.001. However, if you want one, you can either buy the current X-33 or get a Gen 2 on Chrono24 (here are a few listed for sale). The Artemis II mission marks the first time an Omega Speedmaster X-33 is on its way to the Moon!
The Artemis II astronauts getting ready, wearing X-33s over their suits — Image: NASA
The Omega Speedmaster X-33 has its share of fans, and we’ve covered it extensively over the years. One of our late readers and friends of Fratello, Hans CP, was very dear to us. He shared his X-33 story here.
I will be watching the Artemis II mission closely in the next few days. There is a very personal element to this mission for me, which I will report on later this year. It’s also a great opportunity to wear my X-33 again (I have to admit it’s a bit of a safe queen).
The crew and their watches. Visible: Breitling Navitimer, X-33 on bracelet, X-33 on strap — Image credit: NASA
Update (April 4th, 2026) — Personal watches
Some people have asked me about the Breitling watches seen on the wrists of the astronauts during the press conference and now also on board the Orion spacecraft. Someone from NASA briefed me that the following watches are part of the crew:
Victor Glover is wearing the Omega Speedmaster X-33 Gen 2, of course, a personal X-33 (on bracelet), as well as a Breitling Navitimer (some refer to it as “Cosmonaut,” but the dial says “Navitimer”) with the 24-hour scale. Also with him is a new Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch (caliber 3861) that he just got. Christina Koch is wearing the Speedmaster X-33 Gen 2, but she also has a Breitling Navitimer and her father’s Speedmaster Moonwatch with her. Jeremy Hansen is wearing the Speedmaster X-33 Gen 2 and Breitling Navitimer, and he has a Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon with him. Reis Wiseman also has the Omega Speedmaster X-33 Gen 2, a Breitling Navitimer, and an Omega Speedmaster (not sure which model). The crew also has a NASA ActLumus (worn around the chest) and an ActiWatch to track activities, etc.
A big thank you to my NASA contact!
Did you watch the Artemis II launch? Let us know in the comments.
