Seiko Spacewalk A short introductionBefore I start writing about the Seiko Spacewalk as a daily watch, lets do an introduction first. On the Seiko SpaceWalk but also on Seiko and Space in general.Richard GarriotIn 2008, Seiko introduced the Spacewalk Spring Drive watch during BaselWorld. It was made for astronaut Richard Garriot. Garriot, who?started developing video games in the 1980s together with his brother, sold his company to Electronic Arts in 1992. In 1997, he designed one of the most famous RPG games ever: Ultima Online.Anyway, his father was an astronaut (Owen Garriot) and all his life he dreamt about traveling to space. In 2008, this became reality. He was the sixth citizen to travel to space. On board of the Russian Soyuz TMA-13 he lift off to space on October 12th, 2008.On his wristOn the wrist of Garriot Jr was a Seiko watch. The Seiko Space Walk Spring Drive. Seiko developed it with Garriots mission in mind. Their goal was to create a light-weight, air-tight, readable and easy-to-use chronograph. Besides that, it needed to be accurate. So in 2008, a few months before Garriots lift-off, Seiko showed the watch during BaselWorld.I actually remember that and discussing it with Gerard Nijenbrinks, one of the guys of our team. The watch was not for sale, and only a few prototypes existed. And of course the watch that would accompany Garriot on his mission. Fat chance in seeing or wearing on in the flesh. I thought.
Seiko And SpaceWe all know the stories about the Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch and other watches that made it to space. Or to the Moon. We cover the Speedmaster watch every Tuesday in our speedytuesday installment since 2012.Reference 6139But did you know that Seiko has history with space as well? Yesterday you could read all about the first Seiko in space here on Fratello Watches. Michael Stockton wrote an article on the Seiko 6139 Pogue chronograph that was chosen by?Colonel William Pogue to accompany him on his Skylab 4 mission in 1973-1974 (84 days).https://www.fratellowatches.com/tbt-seiko-6139-pogue-chronograph/Reference?A829-A6019
