The Omega Speedmaster Professional, worn by Buzz Aldrin during the Apollo 11 lunar landing, is the most recognized watch to go to space. But the Seiko Rotocall, featuring a unique design that made it easier to switch between the watch’s various modes, could be a close second. Seiko has resurrected and rereleased the watch used by several NASA astronauts up until 2002, including Sally Ride. The new version has a slightly updated design, but it carries forward the same basic LCD display and functionality as the original.
The original version of the Seiko Rotocall debuted in 1982 for $125. The new version, available in three versions called the SMGG21 (blue/silver), SMGG19 (red/black), and SMGG17 (black/yellow) starting next month, slightly outpaces inflation with a $550 price tag. If you’re interested but aren’t in a position to splurge just yet, you don’t have to worry about the watches being all snapped up by scalpers. Seiko isn’t limiting their rollout to a limited number.
The new version of the Rotocall features the same knurled octagonal bezel dial with each side labeled with a unique function including the time, a mode for setting the time, a timer, counter, stopwatch, dual-time-display, and daily or single alarms. Selecting a mode simply requires that side of the dial to be in the top position. The watch runs on Seiko’s A824 Quartz movement whose accuracy is rated at ±20 seconds each month with about three years of battery life. It’s also waterproof to a depth of over 300 feet, but Seiko doesn’t specify how long it could survive the vacuum of space.