For as long as I’ve been into watches, I’ve been into G-Shock. No real collection is complete without one, or in my case about a dozen. When considering purchases of high-end watches it often takes me years before I make a final purchasing decision, with G-Shock, the quality and value they offer make them impulse buys. As was the case when I first saw that Casio was going to be releasing a DW5600 NASA limited edition.

NASA showed that through ingenuity, engineering, strength of will and a little luck, humankind could accomplish anything. This revolutionary institution created the visual lexicon we associate with space exploration and their mid-century design remains iconic and evocative of an era of unbridled optimism driven by a global desire to bring us to the stars.

This all white DW5600 would normally be considered unremarkable. A great and hard-wearing summer watch for sure, but ultimately just another square Casio. But with just a few design elements this everyman’s G-Shock becomes iconic. The NASA logo on the face, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration text on the bottom strap, the U.S. flag printed on the strap keeper, the moon engraving on the case back are the only elements needed to elevate this ubiquitous model to something special. The design feels purposely restrained and true to the spirit of NASA, and is one of the more conservative G-Shock limited editions in recent memory.

In my mind this watch exists as part of an alternate reality where NASA saw a kinship in the over-engineering being pioneered by Casio and decided to make this DW5600 part of the standard issue flight kit for their astronauts. The shock resistant construction, timekeeping functions, and resin body are all ready for flight. And during a time where NASA logos are emblazoned on everything from t-shirts to sneakers this watch feels like a genuine and respectful way to pay homage to NASA.