Replica Apollo 16 flown watchband and wrist mirror

A faithful replica to an actual flown NASA watch strap seen in auction catalogues, this is a replica long strap of the one worn by Apollo 16 Astronaut Charlie Duke and sold by Heritage Auctions on April 18, 2013 for US$ 44,812.

The wrist mirror (P/N SDB12100086-001) was a useful addition to the lunar surface EVA equipment worn by the Apollo 16 astronauts. It allowed viewing the frame counter on the side of the camera fixed to the front of the spacesuit, and shining sunlight into areas in shadow.

• The Nylon mil-spec (Mil-F-21840) Velcro loop tape sourced from 1970's U.S. Defense Supply Agency stock. Being one of the first types of hook and loop tape, the Olive Drab binding tape is actually essential for providing stitched fabric reinforcement. But as this dates from the Apollo era it's the ultimate in authenticity short of being furnished by NASA Flight Crew Integration Division (FCID). For a close-up, please see Michael Collins' Apollo 11 watchband.

• Mil-spec (Mil-T-5038) binding tape in a now discontinued brown/green vintage shade Olive Drab #33070.

• Authentic NASA part number and serial number with all flown items hand- typed using a vintage typewriter, just as would have been used in the 1960s/70s.

• All stitching with webbing strength mil-spec (VT-295) nylon thread.

• Stainless steel metal ring of aircraft grade 302 alloy (one of the hardest austenitic 300-series stainless steel alloys available) hand fashioned into a slim 3/4" x 1/4" loop.