OMEGA has announced a five-year partnership with a new section of Leonardo da Vinci Milan's Museum of Science and Technology devoted exclusively to space and astronomy.

On hand to celebrate its opening of the section and a dedicated exhibit were OMEGA President Stephen Urquhart and Apollo 17 astronaut Eugene Cernan, the last human being to leave a footprint on the Moon.

Along with a selection of OMEGA's space-related watches, there is a rock that Cernan brought back from the Moon in December of 1972. Cernan, who is also an OMEGA brand ambassador, said, "It makes me extremely proud that a sample from the Moon we returned during our final mission, Apollo 17, will be displayed and shared with all those who visit the Museum of Science in Milan." He added, "The opening of this new interactive section will be an inspiration for young people to dream and expand their interest in space exploration."

OMEGA has announced a five-year partnership with a new section of Leonardo da Vinci Milan’s Museum of Science and Technology devoted exclusively to space and astronomy.

OMEGA's own history with space exploration began in 1962 when astronauts Leroy "Gordo" Cooper and Wally Schirra decide to buy OMEGA Speedmaster chronographs for use on their space missions. NASA later subjected the Speedmaster to a series of incredible tests and on March 1, 1965, declared it flight qualified for all of the Space Agency's manned missions.

The Speedmaster earned its nickname, "The Moonwatch", on 21 July 1969, when the iconic chronograph was part of the historic first lunar landing. In fact, it accompanied the astronauts on all six lunar landings.

Stephen Urquhart said, "OMEGA is proud of its partnership with the Museum of Science and Technology, which has established itself as such an important part of the scientific and astronomic landscape in Italy. This relationship is a perfect complement to our own pioneering spirit and to our participation in so many missions in space, including all six lunar landings. We are particularly happy to be able to share this moment with our dear friend Gene Cernan who left the last footprint on the Moon in 1972 and who has played a leading role in space exploration."