Isotope Hydrium® NASA

Nasa approved - Limited edition Isotope Hydrium® NASA

Isotope Hydrium NASA: A watch to love to the moon and back

Space is one of the most hostile environments humankind has ever ventured into. Zero gravity, no oxygen, and extreme temperatures are just some of the challenges we face when exploring the universe. While complex to solve, an essential factor of what makes us the dominant species on Earth is that we collectively follow up on those dreams. In 1958 an important step to fulfilling them was made when the National Aeronautics and Space Act (Pub.L. 85-568) created the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). It was NASA that first put humans on the surface of the moon. However, getting into space and exploring it is only part of the equation when it comes to manned spaceflight. Returning to our beautiful blue and green planet comes with its own set of challenges, as it means a volatile descent into the Earth's atmosphere. The reentry capsule starts to experience drag as it moves through the air, which can heat the surface of the capsule to up to a scorching 1,480 °C (2,700 °F). 

To ensure the safety of the astronauts, the reentry capsule is equipped with a heat shield. As it moves through the atmosphere toward the Earth, part of the heat shield cools the module by burning off. This not only plays a vital role in a safe return to Earth but also creates a unique distressed texture on the outside of the reentry module. For Isotope, this was the inspiration for the new Hydrium NASA. 

To replicate the texture, the 316L stainless steel case of the Hydrium NASA has a polymer-ceramic coating called Cerakote®. The applied coating creates a distressed look, making each case unique and exclusive. It sets the stage for the rest of the watch, with the dial as its main eyecatcher. While very clean in appearance, its different layers give it a sense of depth. The outer ring features a railroad track that makes it easy to read the minutes and seconds, which can be handy in case you have to manually time a controlled burn to ensure safe entry. Its dark blue colour matches not only the signature box-shaped hands of the Hydrium but also outline the Lacrima at the centre, Isotope's logo. As NASA was just as over the moon with this watch as we are, they officially endorsed it. That's why its logo is at the six o'clock position, with its red colour matching that of the centrally mounted second hand. 

The dial is surrounded by a 120-clock bezel with minute/seconds markings with a unique feature; just like the dial, it is full lume. This makes for a spectacular sight, anywhere from the dark side of the moon and the dimmed lights of Cape Canaveral ground control to your living room watching 'Apollo 13' once again. The Super-LumiNova is also applied on the hands of the Hydrium NASA, further enhancing its visibility in low-light conditions. Born as a diving watch, it comes with a screw-down crown and 300m / 30 atm / 1000 ft water resistance, making it perfect for when the reentry module safely splashes into the ocean after a successful return flight. The Hydrium NASA features a double-domed sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating. Through its screw-down exhibition back, the Swiss-made Landeron movement is visible. Running at 4 HZ / 28,800 VpH, it offers a power reserve of 40 hours. The automatic movement further delights with extensive decorations, including blued screws, perlage, Côtes de Genève, and the Isotope Lacrima on the oscillating weight. To ensure that the Hydrium NASA stays safely on your wrist during lift-off, space flight, reentry, and other earthly activities, Nick Mankey Designs created an exclusive strap for ISOTOPE featuring the NASA logo. It is one of those details that makes the Hydrium NASA even more out of this world.

The Isotope Hydrium® NASA is limited to 200 pieces, so don't wait to see the far side of the moon to own one.

Technical Specifications

• Micro-blasted case, 316L stainless steel finished with Cerakote® coating, finished in the U.K.
• Case diameter 40mm X 48mm (with lugs)
• Height 12.9mm (14.9mm with double domed Sapphire Crystal)
• Hydrium® screw-down exhibition case back
• Uni-directional bezel with 120 clicks 
  
• Anti-reflective crystal sapphire
• Screw-down crown at 3 o’clock
• Off-white dial and railroad track filled with  Super-LumiNova®
• Isotope "i" hands with Super-LumiNova®
• Water-resistance 300m / 30 atm / 1000 ft
• 22mm Quick-release White FKM strap and exclusive NASA Strap with micro-blasted Steel Buckle created by Nick Mankey Designs

Swiss Landeron Mechanical Movement

• Automatic, self-winding
• Power reserve 40 hours
• 25 Jewels, 28800A/h
• Accuracy -12/+12 s/day
• Customised finishing with Perlage and Côtes de Genève