NASA Artemis Watch 2.0: The $129 Programmable Smartwatch That Lets You See Its Brain

CircuitMess releases a transparent, NASA-themed wearable that’s equal parts functional smartwatch and hands-on coding education platform

CircuitMess timed the NASA Artemis Watch 2.0 perfectly into a cultural moment—this is a $129 programmable smartwatch, fully assembled and ready to use out of the box, featuring a dual-core ESP32 microcontroller, a color LCD screen, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a compass, and a temperature sensor. Released just as NASA’s Artemis II mission captures global attention, this wearable stands out not for hiding its technology, but for putting it on full display. Samsung Global Newsroom

Transparent Design Meets Retro-Futuristic Aesthetic

CircuitMess has released the NASA Artemis Watch 2.0, a fully functional smartwatch built around an ESP32 microcontroller and wrapped in a large, transparent rectangular housing that puts the mainboard on full display, with an aesthetic that’s deliberately retro-futuristic. The comparisons to the Pip-Boy from Fallout are immediate and intentional. TechRadar

The main body of this device is a transparent plastic rectangle measuring 1.77 x 0.5 x 2.76 inches, which is small enough to go unnoticed while still providing a full glimpse of the internals—a very amazing retro-futuristic design touch, with the black strap and orange accents completing the design. You can also change the look with any of the four optional strap designs in the collector bundle. PhoneArenaPhoneArena

The Hardware Inside

Hardware-wise, the watch is modest by design, offering Bluetooth connectivity for pairing with Android or iOS devices, incoming notification support, a gyroscope, accelerometer, temperature sensor, and compass. It pairs with iOS and Android devices over Bluetooth for activity tracking and notifications, and the firmware is entirely open-source, reprogrammable in Python, CircuitBlocks, or the Arduino IDE. TechRadarSamsung Global Newsroom

The ESP32 microcontroller at its heart is well-documented with a strong community behind it, making this a reasonable choice for something designed to be opened up and modified. The watch also features an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a buzzer, an RTC, a button, several LEDs, and a USB port for programming and charging the built-in 600 mAh battery. Wikipedia

Programming: The Real Superpower

You can design custom watch faces, build interactive apps, and modify sensor behavior as deep as you want to go. The programming capabilities are where the Artemis Watch 2.0 truly differentiates itself from conventional smartwatches. Samsung Global Newsroom

Python runs natively on the hardware, and they also support the CircuitBlocks visual programming environment for complete beginners as well as the full Arduino IDE for those who are more experienced. This means youngsters can design bespoke watch faces with mission-inspired images or construct basic games that respond to arm movements, while more experienced users can monitor temperature changes while hiking or design new apps that activate the buzzer and LEDs based on compass headings. PhoneArena

Setup and Daily Use

The user needs to install the Bangle.js Gadgetbridge app for Android on a smartphone and pair the watch via Bluetooth, after which the watch can receive notifications, report fitness data, and so on. Some apps are preinstalled and can be selected using the lever button. Wikipedia

The transparent housing is an invitation to look closer—the accelerometer, gyroscope, Bluetooth module, and display are all accessible not just physically but conceptually, in the sense that the firmware lets you interact with each component directly. For a younger person just starting to think about how connected devices actually function, that’s a more honest introduction than any classroom simulation. TechRadar

Educational Value

The Artemis Watch converts a cultural moment into a learning platform, designed around a real constraint, a real behavior, or a real cultural moment, rather than a spec sheet searching for an audience. The watch serves as both a functional wearable and a STEM education tool, making it appealing to students, hobbyists, and anyone curious about electronics. Samsung

Pricing and Availability

CircuitMess priced the standalone version at $129 with free shipping from their online store, but if you want to spend a little more money, you can upgrade to the $149 collector bundle for some extra straps or spend $399 on the Mars Exploration package, which includes the watch. NASA Artemis Watch 2.0 sells for $129 / 169 Euros on the CircuitMess store, with the Euro price including VAT for European users. PhoneArenaWikipedia

Version 2.0 Upgrades

The key difference between the original Artemis Watch and the 2.0 version is convenience. The first version was sold as a kit to be assembled, while the Watch 2.0 comes fully assembled and ready to use. This lowers the barrier to entry while maintaining the programmability that makes the device special.

Who Should Buy This?

At $129 with free worldwide shipping, this lands somewhere between a novelty and a legitimate introductory STEM project—it’s not a Speedmaster or daily watch and CircuitMess isn’t really pretending otherwise. The Artemis Watch 2.0 is perfect for: TechRadar

• Students learning programming and electronics
• Hobbyists who enjoy tinkering with hardware
• NASA and space exploration enthusiasts
• Parents looking for educational tech gifts
• Anyone who appreciates transparent gadget design

The Verdict

The NASA Artemis Watch 2.0 represents a refreshing approach to wearable technology. Instead of promising to replace your smartphone or track every metric imaginable, it focuses on education, transparency, and hands-on learning. The fact that you can see every component working in real-time while writing code to control them makes this more than just a smartwatch—it’s a portable electronics lab on your wrist.

In an era where most tech is sealed behind glossy surfaces and proprietary software, the Artemis Watch 2.0 celebrates accessibility and education. At $129, it’s an affordable entry point into programming, electronics, and wearable technology, wrapped in a design that honors NASA’s current lunar mission.

Whether you’re a student taking your first steps in coding, a maker looking for a new project, or simply someone who appreciates gadgets that don’t hide their inner workings, the Artemis Watch 2.0 delivers genuine value beyond its retro-futuristic aesthetic.

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