OMEGA and the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) have opened an exhibition at the Dubai space centre marking 57 years since the first Moon landing, pairing the OMEGA Speedmaster‘s space history with the UAE’s own astronaut milestones.
The show brings together MBRSC’s lunar rover display and the UAE Astronaut Programme, running from Hazzaa Al Mansoori’s Zayed Ambition 1 mission to the International Space Station in 2019 to Sultan AlNeyadi’s six-month Zayed Mission 2 during Expedition 69 — the UAE’s space programme in one room. The Speedmaster on display accompanied both astronauts on those flights.
Why the Speedmaster is a space watch
In production since 1957, the Speedmaster was the first chronograph to put its tachymeter on the bezel, the only watch NASA flight-qualified in 1965, and the first worn on the Moon in 1969. Wally Schirra wore one on Mercury in 1962, Buzz Aldrin on Apollo 11, and the timing came in handy during Apollo 13. It is a rare case of a marketing claim surviving actual use.
“The first Moon landing remains one of humanity’s greatest achievements, demonstrating what can be accomplished through ambition, collaboration and scientific innovation,” said H.E. Salem Humaid AlMarri, Director General of MBRSC. “This exhibition in collaboration with OMEGA offers an opportunity to honour that historic legacy, celebrate Emirati achievements in space, and inspire future generations to contribute to the next chapter of exploration.”
“The Speedmaster’s history is woven into the exploration of space — a testament to enduring precision, resilience and innovation,” added Raynald Aeschlimann, President and CEO of OMEGA. “We are honoured to strengthen our partnership with MBRSC and to share the story of this iconic timepiece with the region.”
The partnership so far
OMEGA became MBRSC’s official timepiece on 2 March 2023, as AlNeyadi launched on the longest Arab space mission in history wearing a Speedmaster Moonwatch and an X-33. A July campaign celebrated five Speedmaster references spanning nearly seven decades.
The exhibition is at MBRSC’s headquarters in Al Khawaneej, and follows the announcement from MBRSC earlier this month. MBRSC has not yet published public visiting hours or ticket details; Rivoli Group, OMEGA’s authorised partner in the UAE, is anchoring the collaboration regionally and carries the Speedmaster collection across its boutiques.
Where is the OMEGA MBRSC exhibition?
The exhibition is at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre’s headquarters in Al Khawaneej, Dubai. MBRSC has not yet published public visiting hours or ticket details — check the centre’s official channels for access updates.
What is in the OMEGA MBRSC exhibition?
The exhibition pairs MBRSC’s lunar rover display with milestones from the UAE Astronaut Programme, including the Speedmaster watches worn by Hazzaa Al Mansoori on Zayed Ambition 1 and Sultan AlNeyadi on Zayed Mission 2, alongside the history of the OMEGA Speedmaster.
Why is the OMEGA Speedmaster associated with space?
The Speedmaster has been in continuous production since 1957. NASA flight-qualified it in 1965 as the only watch approved for crewed space missions, and Buzz Aldrin wore it on the lunar surface during Apollo 11 in 1969, making it the first watch on the Moon.
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