"FLIGHT QUALIFIED BY NASA FOR ALL MANNED SPACE MISSIONS - THE FIRST WATCH WORN ON THE MOON"In the 1960's NASA went to a jeweller in Houston Texas and purchased an Omega Speedmaster along with four other chronographs for testing purposes.
These were standard 'off the shelf' models and were not modified by NASA for the testing.
Only the Omega Speedmaster stood up to the tests, and it then went on to be standard issue on all APOLLO missions, it went to the moon and it was used to time the rocket bursts of the crippled APOLLO 13, thus bringing it back safely.
The Speedmaster is one of a very few instruments that you can buy that can be used in space with no modification needed (except a big velcro strap to go over the spacesuit). How often do you get the chance to own NASA flight qualified equipment?
(ok, i accept a golf ball is cheaper and was also used on the moon in standard form...)
