Seiko resurrected a 44-year-old digital watch NASA astronauts wore to space

While the Omega Speedmaster Professional earned legendary status as Buzz Aldrin's timepiece during the Apollo 11 lunar landing, another watch deserves recognition for its space-faring credentials. The Seiko Rotocall, distinguished by its innovative design that facilitated seamless mode switching, stands as a compelling contender for space watch fame. Seiko has now revived this horological piece of NASA history, bringing back the timepiece that accompanied several astronauts on missions through 2002, including pioneering astronaut Sally Ride.

The reimagined version maintains the essential LCD display and core functionality that defined the original, while incorporating subtle contemporary refinements. When the original Seiko Rotocall launched in 1982 at $125, it represented cutting-edge wearable technology. The current iteration, available in three distinctive colorways—SMGG21 (blue/silver), SMGG19 (red/black), and SMGG17 (black/yellow)—carries a $550 price point starting next month, reflecting both inflation and enhanced manufacturing standards.

Collectors and enthusiasts can approach this release with confidence, as Seiko has opted against artificial scarcity tactics. The company plans an unrestricted rollout, ensuring genuine interest rather than speculation drives availability.

The technical specifications honor the original design philosophy. The signature knurled octagonal bezel features eight distinct positions, each corresponding to specific functions: timekeeping, time setting, timer, counter, stopwatch, dual-time display, and alarm options (both daily and single-use). Users simply rotate the desired function to the twelve o'clock position for activation.

Powering the timepiece is Seiko's reliable A824 Quartz movement, engineered for precision with accuracy rated at ±20 seconds monthly and approximately three years of battery longevity. The watch maintains water resistance to depths exceeding 300 feet, though Seiko has not specified its vacuum resistance capabilities for space applications.