Mankind Returns to the Moon Accompanied by Heritage Timepieces from Omega and Breitling

Discover the luxury tool watches worn by the Artemis II crew, from the NASA-issued Omega X-33 to the unreleased Breitling Cosmonaute, during their 2026 lunar lap.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 13, 2026, 8:34 AM EDT

Source: Watches of Espionage

The Splashdown and Immediate Recovery

The Artemis II mission concluded with a precision oceanic splashdown near San Diego, marking a return to the recovery style popularized during the Apollo era. Upon the Orion spacecraft’s arrival, a specialized team of U.S. Navy Divers and EOD Technicians from Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group ONE facilitated the egress of the four astronauts. Mission Commander Reid Wiseman was observed wearing a combination of timepieces, including the Breitling Cosmonaute and the Omega X-33, as he transitioned from the spacecraft to the recovery vessel via a Navy MH-60 helicopter.

Standard Issue Equipment and the Legacy of the X-33

For the launch and critical flight phases, all four crew members—Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen—utilized the Omega X-33. Introduced in 1998 and refined in 2001 as the "Gen. 2" model, this titanium analog-digital watch remains the standard-issue timepiece for NASA astronauts. Designed specifically for the rigors of spaceflight, the X-33 features mission-elapsed time, multiple 80-decibel alarms, and UTC tracking. Despite being discontinued for civilian purchase in 2006, the model continues to be a staple in government and military aviation due to its high-utility interface.

Strategic Marketing and the Breitling Cosmonaute

In what industry analysts describe as a sophisticated "guerrilla marketing" campaign, an unreleased version of the Breitling Cosmonaute featured prominently throughout the mission. The choice of the Cosmonaute carries deep historical weight, referencing Scott Carpenter’s 1962 Mercury Atlas 7 mission where he wore a 24-hour dial Breitling. On Artemis II, the crew was frequently seen "double-wristing" or "triple-wristing," pairing the Breitling with their functional X-33s and modern fitness trackers. This move by Breitling targets a resurgence in heritage-based luxury messaging, aligning the brand with modern pioneering efforts.