How G-Shock’s New NASA Watch Flips the Script on Space Watches

For once, astronauts are not the focus.

a black and white photo of a scientist looking at his g-shock watch

Published July 22, 2024

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Although the Omega Speedmaster gets most of the attention as the preferred wristwear of NASA astronauts, there are actually dozens of different watches that have been worn in outer space.

Among the watches most frequently donned by astronauts are those made by Casio, whose watches have made hundreds of trips outside of Earth’s atmosphere.

By far, the most frequently worn outer-space Casio is the classic G-Shock DW5600, which, according to the comprehensive Watches Used in Space Exploration Database, has made 209 extraterrestrial journeys. That’s enough to make it the second most-worn watch in space after the Omega Speedmaster X-33 and its 375 trips.

So, when it comes to making NASA-themed watches, G-Shock is more qualified than almost any other brand. The company has done so several times before, but its latest may be its most unique yet.

G-Shock NASA 6900 (GW6900NASA24-1)

$170 at Casio

This One’s for the Nerds

Space-themed watches typically (and understandably) take an adventure angle. They’re built to withstand the terrifying rigors of outer space travel and are designed to be worn by only the world’s most daring individuals. And if you wear one, the marketing suggests, then you must be pretty daring and adventurous, too.

The new NASA G-Shock takes a different approach. Instead of looking to astronauts and their fantastic exploits, the watch finds inspiration in the mathematicians and engineers on the ground who make space exploration possible in the first place.

The watch is part of G-Shock’s digital 6900 series (ref. GW6900NASA24-1), which is the brand’s best-selling case design. It’s equipped with G-Shock’s Tough Solar power and Multi-Band 6 atomic timekeeping, putting it on the higher end of 6900 watches.

g shock watch next to a vintage calculator on a scientists desk — The new G-Shock takes some design inspiration from vintage Casio calculators that NASA scientists would’ve used in decades past.

Functionally, the new NASA watch — G-Shock’s fifth — is identical to other Solar Atomic 6900s. It has a world timer, a 1/100th-second chronograph, multiple alarms, a perpetual calendar, an electro-luminescent backlight and is water-resistant to 200m.

The watch sets itself apart in its design. Taking inspiration from iconic Casio calculators like the Casio Mini from the 1970s, the NASA 6900 has a retro appearance to match its NASA Easter eggs.

In addition to the obvious white NASA logo on the dial, the watch features the equation for universal gravitation in the backlight that’s only visible when activated. The formula for calculating kinetic energy is engraved on the caseback.

G Shock watch with backlight — One mathematical formula appears when you activate the backlight…

g shock watch caseback — … while another space-related equation is engraved onto the caseback.

Pricing and Availability

If you’re a fan of outer space, G-Shocks and math, then this may be the perfect watch for you. But it’s not going to be easy to get your hands on.

Casio is holding a contest for a chance to buy the highly limited watch, and winning the contest is the only way you’ll be able to make the purchase. You can enter the contest at the product site here, though you’ll need to be at least 18 years old and a Casio ID member. The contest expires at midnight EDT tonight.

If you’re lucky enough to win the chance to buy the watch, you’ll still have to purchase it. The NASA 6900 retails for $170, a $30 increase over the standard Solar Atomic G-Shock 6900.