Italian watch brand Venezianico introduces the limited edition Bucintoro 1969 chronograph that pays tribute to the Apollo 11 moon landing of 1969.

The Apollo 11 mission of 1969 had left an indelible footprint on both space exploration and popular culture, and has no doubt resulted in a sizable impression on mankind … some larger than most. Namely, for Italian watch brand Venezianico, that has culminated in a watch of their own to pay tribute — the Bucintoro 1969 chronograph.

Limited to just 69 pieces, the Bucintoro 1969 runs on the Lemania 1873 movement, an important movement nonetheless, as it was one that the second-generation Omega Speedmaster “Moon watches” movements were based on.

Creating the Bucintoro 1969 Chronograph

The story is that the Morelli brothers, Alberto and Alessandro Morelli, founders of Venezianico, went on a mission to find enough Lemania 1873 movements to create this tribute timepiece. After six months of careful restoration, a select number of movements were brought back to life and were ready to be refitted.

Akin to how things were done at Cape Canaveral, the launch site for NASA’s Apollo flights, the Bucintoro 1969’s inner rehaut incorporates various allusions to the launch sequence. This includes a secondary tachymetric scale with markers corresponding to key countdown stages such as “Pre-Launch” at T-60, the actual countdown at T-10, “Engine Ignition” at T-5, and the final “Launch” moment.

Once the countdown reaches zero, the chronograph transitions to measuring speed using the tachymeter, with the “Reset” button allowing for a new timing sequence. The chronograph subdials are decorated with a pattern reminiscent of the lunar surface, complete with craters and the characteristic dark gray regolith hue, crafted using advanced 3D printing techniques.

Decorating the rest of the dial are ingot-shaped indexes and gold-colored hands — a color that’s in accordance with “the golden age of space exploration”. The steel sports watch, which measures 42mm, also features a steel plate at 8 o’clock that displays the numbered edition (out of 69) of each watch.

Each Bucintoro chronograph is presented on a full steel bracelet. Inside the handmade walnut wood case that the watch comes with are two accompanying black straps, one in leather with a Velcro closure inspired by spacesuits, and the other in rubber.

Introducing Venezianico

Based in Venice, Italy, Venezianico is founded by brothers Alberto and Alessandro Morelli whose shared love for watches and design during their days at Ca’ Foscari University inspired them to materialize their dream in the watchmaking world. The genesis of Venezianico traces back to a moment in St. Mark’s Square, where the brothers noticed the golden Renaissance cross atop the ancient Clock Tower.

They then adopted the symbol as Venezianico’s logo, one that represents the history, culture, and innovation of their beloved city. The brand presents timepieces across five collections — Bucintoro, Nereide GMT, Nereide Ultraleggero, Nereide, and Redentore — each one reflecting the style and essence of Venetian heritage, and to embody the spirit of Italian watchmaking mastery.

Tech Specs: Venezianico Bucintoro 1969

Movement: Manual-winding Lemania 1873; 40-hour power reserve
Functions: Hours and minutes; small seconds; chronograph; tachymeter
Case: 42mm; stainless steel; water-resistant up to 100m
Dial: Black with 3D-printed texture on dark gray counters
Strap: Stainless steel bracelet, with black leather and rubber straps
Price: €4,500
Availability: Limited to 69 pieces