Casio’s new digital watch is 40 years old since its first spacecraft launch

Casio plans to launch a limited-edition watch to commemorate the 40th anniversary of NASA’s first spacecraft launch.

The G-Shock DW5600NASA21-1 has a black and white design inspired by the aesthetics of the Columbia spacecraft, who left on the STS-1 mission on April 12, 1981.

The STS-1 40th anniversary watch will go on sale on Monday (April 12) at $ 7 EDT (1100 GMT) for $ 140. on the Casio G-Shock website.

“The DW5600 commemorates decades of space exploration and is designed for watch collectors and space lovers to commemorate the fortieth anniversary of the first spacecraft launch,” Casio wrote on its website.

In photos: NASA’s first spacecraft flight, STS-1 to Columbia

The STS-1 mission, flown by NASA astronauts John Young and Bob Crippen, is called the ‘bravest test flight in history’. The first flight of the spacecraft showed that a reusable spacecraft can launch like a rocket and return to Earth as a winged glider. It was the first of 135 missions for the 30-year program, which came to an end in 2011.

The G-Shock digital watch has a white dial with a red NASA “worm” logo and a stainless steel case with an engraved silhouette of the spacecraft. The matching black and white watch strap is inscribed ‘STS-1’ and ‘United States’ and the American flag is printed on the strap loop, which surrounds the marks on the shuttle.

Related: Space Shuttle’s Lasting Legacy: 30 Years of Historic Feats

The Casio G-Shock DW5600NASA21-1 watch is packaged in an outer box with STS-1 mission statistics and an inside view depicting the flight's two-day journey in orbit around the earth.

The Casio G-Shock DW5600NASA21-1 watch is packaged in an outer box with STS-1 mission statistics and an inside view depicting the flight’s two-day path in orbit around the earth. (Image credit: Casio G-Shock)

The display also contains a taillight image depicting the silhouette of the shuttle and the years “1981 – 2021” when it is illuminated.

The DW5600NASA21-1 is packaged in a box styled on Columbia’s screens, with statistics on the STS-1 mission, and a look illustrating the two-day orbit around the earth.

The design of the new Casio G-Shock DW5600NASA21-1 pays homage to the STS-1, NASA's first spacecraft launch 40 years ago.

The design of the new Casio G-Shock DW5600NASA21-1 pays homage to the STS-1, NASA’s first spacecraft launch 40 years ago. (Image credit: Casio G-Shock)

The Casio G-Shock DW5600 (square face) DW5600 (in both “C” and “E” variants) was more than just a memorial, and was one of the models and brands of wristwatches approved by NASA for its astronauts to to use with the spacecraft. The G-Shock watches flown in space were usually black and gray in color, but shared the same common form factor and modes as the new STS-1 40-year limited edition.

The DW5600NASA21-1 is the second NASA-themed G-Shock. The first model, the pure white DW5600NASA20, was released on April 24, 2020 and sold out quickly.

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