In a bold celebration of “pioneering spirit”, the Planet Omega exhibition welcomed a group of renowned astronauts on Wednesday, as ambassadors Charlie Duke and Nicole Stott made an appearance at the Chelsea Factory in New York. They were joined by astronauts from the Houston-based space company, Axiom Space, who were special guests for the occasion.
Une sélection de Shaniah Asha Gibson / @TRP, Public Relations Cabinet
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Planet Omega brings the Swiss brand’s renowned watchmaking history to life, with a display of iconic timepieces from past and present. Open until November 19, it’s a chance to experience Omega’s rich DNA, with six unique areas dedicated to Sport and Olympic Games, Space, Ocean, James Bond, Friends, and Precision.
Omega’s role in the history of space exploration is one of the brand’s most famous stories. Ever since the Omega Speedmaster was qualified by NASA in 1965 for all manned space missions, the watches have been a critical part of the greatest missions beyond Earth – including all six moon landings.
Charlie Duke served as Apollo 16’s Lunar Module Pilot in 1972, making him the 10th and youngest person to walk on the lunar surface. Speaking to guests in New York, the Omega ambassador said, “Part of being an astronaut is trusting the equipment you use. We all had great faith in our Omega watches, because they were the only timepieces to survive NASA’s tests. The brand is still in space now and will be part of our exploration future. That’s a great testament to their enduring quality.”
During her own NASA career, Nicole Stott completed two incredible flights, including living and working on both the International Space Station and Space Shuttle. The Omega ambassador joined Charlie Duke in the panel discussion on Wednesday, and said, “You can see at this exhibition just how reliable Omega has been in so many areas. Not just in space, but in the deepest oceans and in sports timekeeping. They have ingenuity and they understand the human spirit. That’s a powerful combination that really makes them stand apart in watchmaking.”
Offering a glimpse into Omega’s continuing role in space, the panel discussion also welcomed astronauts Peggy Whitson and Michael Lopez-Alegria from Axiom Space – the leading provider of commercial human spaceflight services and developer of the world’s first commercial space station. Omega will equip Axiom Space crews with custom-made watches for upcoming missions.
The Planet Omega exhibition is filled with watches and stories from across the decades. Some of the highlights to see up close include the Omega Speedmaster model worn by Wally Schirra during the Mercury Sigma 7 mission in 1962 – known as the first Omega in space – as well as today’s most recent update of the iconic Speedmaster Moonwatch.
The exhibition will remain open to the public from November 10 – 19, from Monday to Sunday, 11am to 7pm, at the Chelsea Factory, 547 W 26th Street. Visitors are encouraged to book their place in advance.
