Omega hosted a star-filled tribute to the 50th anniversary of the first lunar landing with American actor and filmmaker George Clooney and an impressive line-up of Nasa veterans, including Charlie Duke and Thomas Stafford.

It was a gathering of greats at Florida’s Kennedy Space Center when Omega paid tribute to the mission that made history.

After a day of discussions on a range of space-related subjects, media and VIP guests enjoyed a “Golden Moments” dinner served beneath the impressive Saturn 5 rocket, which was attended by George and Amal Clooney; veteran of four Nasa space missions and commander of Apollo 10 Lieutenant General Thomas Stafford; and Capcom for Apollo 11 and Apollo 16 lunar module pilot Charlie Duke.

 Clearly proud of the Swiss brand’s claim-to-fame as the first watch worn on the Moon, President and CEO of Omega Raynald Aeschlimann summed up the spirit of the occasion. “It’s a huge achievement to land on another world. I can’t think of a better reason to raise a glass in tribute.”

Though Omega Ambassador Clooney drew a great deal of media attention, the self-effacing actor was determined to ensure the spotlight stayed focused on the Nasa veterans. “It’s a great pleasure to be here – and an honour. I have enormous respect for the people who made the Apollo missions such a success.”

Reflecting on the pioneering spirit of the Apollo era, Duke described it as an exciting time but stressed that the success of the 1969 mission was down to hard work and commitment.

“We were heading to the Moon, but we were also grounded, very realistic, and we never took success for granted, not once.”

Stafford talked about the “alien yet familiar” qualities of the lunar surface, and spoke proudly of his role in Apollo 11’s glory. “It was a great honour for me to play my part in the successful mission that followed.”

Also in attendance were astronaut and artist Nicole Stott, Nasa pilot and ISS commander Terry Virts, astronaut and Nasa veteran Jean-François Clervoy, and former Nasa engineer and the man behind the Moonwatch, Jim Ragan.