The New NASA Velcro Straps for the Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch (Live Pics)

What would be the perfect accessory for your 2021 Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Master Chronometer? For sure, it would be an OMEGA x NASA Velcro strap, wouldn’t it? Originally intended to be purely functional, allowing astronauts to strap their Speedmasters over their bulky spacesuits, it’s a fan-favourite to complete “the look”. After the updated version of the Omega Speedmaster Professional Chronograph, Omega now launches new Velcro straps to fit your Speedy.

In a celebration of the long-standing legacy between the Swiss watch manufacturer and the American Space Agency (NASA), Omega introduces three new NASA Velcro Straps, ideally suited to go with your Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch. The story of perhaps the most famous watch in history, certainly the most famous Omega watch, needs no explanation. 

Briefly put, in 1965 the Omega Speedmaster was certified as the official NASA timing instrument. Four years later, in July 1969, the Omega Speedmaster Professional Chronograph became the first watch on the Moon, worn by Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin during the Apollo 11 Mission. The entire story about the astronaut’s Speedmaster references and how it became the Moonwatch is documented here. 

On to the straps. Although the Omega Speedmaster original came on a metal band, such a bracelet wasn’t suited for a space exploration mission. The Velcro strap proved a suitable alternative and is versatile enough to be worn on the wrist or over the bulky sleeve of a spacesuit without too much hassle. The three versions Omega introduces this year are made from durable polyester and come in black, silver or white. Each colour takes inspiration from elements of the NASA space programmes.

The black strap represents the darkness of space and is closest to the actual strap worn by the astronauts who set foot on the Moon. It is also a close match to the black dial of the Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch. Next up is the silver one, perhaps the boldest choice of the three. The silver is taken from the silver space suits worn by astronauts in the pre-Apollo Gemini and Mercury missions. With a bit of imagination, its metallic shine resembles a metal bracelet. Finally, the white strap is a nod to another important chapter in the Moonwatch saga: the Alaska Project. The Alaska Project was a secret programme between Omega and NASA to create a perfect space watch (more on the Alaska Project here). The white Velcro strap honours that very programme. 

All straps are sold separately and are 20mm wide from end to end (no taper). On one end you attach the short bit of the strap, adorned with the NASA “meatball” logo and a metal loop. The long part of the strap is attached to the other end and passed through the metal loop to fix the strap in place with a Velcro lining. The straps have the “Speedmaster Moonwatch” logo printed in either white or blue. The flexibility and durability of these straps make them perfect for sports, or perhaps the summer holidays, whenever that’s possible again.

The OMEGA Velcro straps are priced at CHF 190 each and will be available later this year. More information on Omegawatches.com.