This New NASA-Themed Smartwatch Is Designed to Be Hacked

Watching humans fly around the Moon after a more than 50-year hiatus has got the general public excited about space exploration in a way that they haven’t been for decades. Artemis II, the Moon, and Mars are now some of the main topics of discussion at water coolers around the world. Unfortunately, space travel is still an incredibly expensive venture that few get to experience, so the rest of us will have to be content with our feet planted on terra firma.

But that doesn’t mean we can’t get in the spirit of exploration right here on Earth. We can even wear a little reminder of the Artemis mission on our wrists every day with the new CircuitMess NASA Artemis Watch 2.0. This programmable, NASA-themed smartwatch looks like something that is ready for a mission to space, and it is designed to be hacked.

The Artemis Watch 2.0 is powered by an ESP32-S3 module, bringing Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity to a compact wearable platform. Paired with a 1.44-inch display, the watch delivers a minimalist aesthetic while still offering plenty of functionality. Out of the box, users can pair it with an Android smartphone using the Gadgetbridge app to receive notifications, track activity, and interact with preinstalled apps.

Packed with sensors like a 6-axis accelerometer and gyroscope, along with a buzzer, LEDs, and a real-time clock, the watch serves as a hands-on introduction to how modern smart devices work. Rather than hiding its complexity, it invites users to explore it. Using CircuitMess’s CircuitBlocks visual IDE, users can create custom watch faces, simple games, or entirely new applications that run directly on the device.

Battery life is modest at around two to three hours per charge, which severely limits the watch’s practicality for real-world use. However, it is geared more towards education than practicality. If you’d like to bring a little bit of space into your projects, you can pick up an Artemis Watch 2.0 for $129.