The Apollo space program represents a golden age of human exploration, a monumental era defined by audacious goals and groundbreaking technology. Central to the success of missions that forever changed the course of human history was the Apollo DSKY – the primary interface between astronauts and the spacecraft’s guidance computer.
This device allowed astronauts to input commands, receive real-time flight data, and navigate beyond Earth’s bounds, standing as a testament to human ingenuity and the indomitable spirit of exploration, influencing technology interfaces for decades to come. Now, a highly coveted four-year endeavour captures the essence of that adventure and the spirit of space travel, allowing you to experience a piece of the DSKY on your wrist: the Apollo Instruments DSKY Moonwatch.
This watch is far more than just a timepiece; it’s a unique and iconic centrepiece for any Moonwatch collection, instantly evoking a sense of nostalgia for that incredible era. The core of the DSKY Moonwatch experience lies in its meticulous replication of the original interface.
It features a vibrant high-contrast digital micro-OLED display that faithfully replicates the look of the Apollo DSKY’s electroluminescent display. The proprietary font closely replicates the characters and labels of the original, while the colouration has been painstakingly reproduced in collaboration with Rosco®, a renowned Academy Award-winning supplier of colour filters to the motion picture industry, accurately reproducing the original 530nm wavelength. Ensuring the integrity and clarity of this remarkable display, it resides beneath a hermetically sealed anti-reflective scratch-resistant Schott® glass panel.
The interactive element is key. The watch features a keypad with 19 distinct tactile buttons. These aren’t just for show; the labels are faithfully recreated using the original Gorton font, and each key incorporates a tactile micro switch enclosed by a hermetically sealed key cap, designed to provide a consistent, responsive, and comfortable key actuation force – a conscious decision to move beyond typical membrane keypads.
Powering this intricate system is an ATSAMD21 M0 processor, backed by substantial memory (256kb FLASH, 32kb SRAM, 256Kbit non-volatile FRAM) and including features like a USB charging/programming port and an external 8-channel digital IO port. The software brings the DSKY to life, compatible with Arduino®, MakeCode®, and CircuitPython® programming environments. It performs operation requests as per the original DSKY with Verb and Noun entries and presents operational data requests in original and custom formats with selectable units.
The watch boasts a high-performance GPS receiver capable of concurrent reception of up to four L1 GNSS systems for highly accurate timekeeping (configurable RTC updates from GPS clock) and navigation (waypoint and free roaming navigation with position capture). Crucially for enthusiasts, Original DSKY operations like the GPS driven program P66 lunar landing routine and V35 lights & display test are included.
Power is supplied by a built-in rechargeable 300mAh lithium polymer battery (up to 24 hours normal use), a bespoke design validated with British supplier Alpha Micro Ltd for credible certification. The watch is completed by a unique hybrid strap featuring a soft-touch TPU liner and genuine full-grain Nappa leather insert from Italy, complemented by a hand-finished 316L stainless steel deployment clasp, meticulously assembled in-house using state-of-the-art Italian machinery.
Offering this remarkable blend of history, design, and interactive technology at a price point of £779, the Apollo Instruments DSKY Moonwatch is a compelling blend of past and present, a truly interactive piece of wristwear for collectors and space enthusiasts alike.
