Nubeo Elysium NASA Release: Failure is not an Option

3 minutes ago

3 min read

The Watch Brief Jilliano Nubeo Watches Elsyium NASA wristwatch Limited Edition

There is a certain gravitas that comes with any association to spacefaring or even the organizations involved with it. Let's go beyond the obvious example of my grail watch, the Omega Speedmaster, and look to how Bulova has made a killing with the Lunar Pilot due to astronaut Dave Scott (Apollo 15) using his Bulova after his main watch (the Speedy) broke during a moonwalk. Nubeo, who is no stranger to science fiction and collaborations, has made a bold yet surprisingly understated move by creating the Elsyium NASA, which honors the iconic Apollo 13 line (yes, that Apollo 13): "Failure is not an option!" It's bold to create a watch about such a scientifically and historically significant organization like NASA, yet it's interesting that Nubeo has done so with a relatively minimalist design that - in my opinion - perfectly encapsulates the theme of the watch.

Nubeo Elysium NASA: Simply Good

In the past, Nubeo has repeatedly made a splash with their daring designs. Just two weeks ago, they launched (pun intended) a Star Trek inspired watch with a seconds-hand that literally had a starship. A few months ago, they had an Atari Space Commander inspired wristwatch, which didn't even have normal hour and minute hands. Suffice to say, Nubeo is unafraid to do something different. So, when I first saw these new NASA Apollo 13 inspired watches, I was struck by the minimalist design, and how perfect they were for this mission.

We all love the movie, and the story of the Apollo 13 mission. Even from a horological perspective, it was perhaps the single greatest advertisement (unintentional or not) for the Omega Speedmaster. Despite the happy ending to that story, it was genuinely a life-and-death situation, and it was a much more fraught situation than we perhaps remember. I think this sombre feeling is reflected in the Nubeo Elsyium NASA perfectly. The lack of numerals on the dial, and even the lack of Nubeo branding is brilliant. The NASA logo above the 6 o'clock is also great, and it's even lumed, which is a cool touch.

While I could definitely live without the date window, I am glad that they color-matched the date wheel, which means the darker colors of the Dark Frontier (Black) and Blue Galaxy (Blue) have a date to match, while the stark white of the Cosmic Navigator has a white dale wheel that pops. There is a metal chapter-ring so that you can still tell the time with relative ease, although it is a stainless steel square watch with a nice rubber strap. It is worth noting that the lugs are 26mm, but the case design uses hidden lugs, which means it doesn't protrude from the case. Another interesting design touch is that the white and blue models both have a red crown, while the black model has a blue crown.

Space Can Be Affordable

This is not a full review, as this collection is limited to 150 numbered pieces for each model, and I haven't had the chance to have any hands-on experience, but if these photos are anything to go by, I think Nubeo has done something really nice here.

I will add that I wish the Nubeo Elysium NASA featured a sapphire crystal instead of the AR coated mineral crystal, and the 45mm case diameter will definitely not be for everyone. That being said, its RRP of 390 USD is pretty great, and I love that it comes with a NASA-branded case, too. There is a lot of value-for-money here, and it's a reminder that you don't necessarily need an Omega Speedmaster if you want something associated to outer space. Sometimes, all you need is a well-designed Nubeo.