Cool stuff: A British startup has developed a watch aimed at NASA super geeks (you know who you are). The watch takes the concept of the calculator watch, which was very popular in the 1980s, and raises it to the next level. It looks like an Apollo Guidance Computer shrunk to the size of a smartwatch.
Apollo Instruments has was introduced DSKY Moonwatch. DSKY Moonwatch stands for display and keyboard and is similar to it guidance computers used in the Apollo missions, including the world-famous Apollo 11 moon landing that put Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin on the lunar surface.
However, it is not just a static copy. Moonwatch has a fully functional keyboard and can function as a calculator. While this feature is cool and nostalgic, the Moonwatch is much more innovative than that. It can be even smarter than your current smartwatch.
Although it only has a calculator app at the moment, if you have experience with Arduino or Python, you can program the watch via a micro USB port. Apollo Instruments says it will also push software modules developed internally and by the community in future updates. Currently, users can simply enjoy the multi-functional watch for its aesthetics.
The Moonwatch can also be connected to other devices, including breadboard interfaces, development enclosures and robotic systems through a proprietary eight-channel I/O port. These devices are currently under development. The company noted that one of its upcoming projects replicates the form and function of the original Apollo control computer main chassis.
Moonwatch is about the size of a typical smartwatch and comes with the choice of a brown or black leather strap. It has a classic green-on-black monochrome display, giving it a nostalgic feel while being clear and easy to read. The keys are small but seem larger than the old (and new) classic calculator clocks.
The light panel and digital OLED screen are close, but not the same as, the original computer. Overall, it’s a good-looking watch with a ceramic-coated stainless steel case that contrasts nicely with the band. It’s a little geeky, but no more so than your typical calculator watches, which it is manufacturing a comeback.
The watch’s only real downside is its price. Apollo Instruments wants £649 (about $812 US) for the DSKY Moonwatch. It’s more than one Apple Watch Ultra 2. At that price, it might just appeal to the die-hard Apollo fan. Pre-orders have started for customers willing to pay a deposit of £240 ($300). The rest is paid on delivery. The company expects to begin shipping units in the first quarter of 2025.
There are some small incentives for US customers, but they come with some caveats. For $300 down, you can pre-order the watch, and Apollo Instruments will discount the VAT cost in your country. This discount is limited to 200 orders per state on average. It would amount to around 10,000 units sold in the US. However, those living in Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire and Oregon cannot receive the discount because they do not have a sales tax.
