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SpaceCam 1200
By CasiMods ® カシ改造
Hand-modified individually
Base Model
Details of the NASA Hasselblad Electric Data Camera (HEDC). Photo by Marco Nietlisbach
Inspirations
I’ve had a folder filled with photos of NASA’s space cameras, particularly the modified Hasselblad 500 ‘EL DATA CAMERA HEDC’, that I had intended to use as inspiration for a watch mod. With life and work taking the driver’s seat, that folder quickly got buried under other priorities.
That changed when I bought a stainless steel case to upgrade a stock AE1200. When the case arrived, I immediately appreciated its substantial weight compared to the original resin case. The case became the starting point that reignited the build.
I initially tried to find a strap that would work with the new case, but without a clear focal point for the design, it was difficult to find one that felt right. I started browsing through my inspiration folders again and rediscovered the space camera idea.
It felt like a natural fit. The matte stainless steel case immediately reminded me of the industrial character of the Hasselblad cameras used for the Apollo missions. Interestingly, the cameras were originally made from greyish aluminum and later painted silver to help reflect solar radiation.
I was especially drawn to the scuffed, post-mission appearance of the cameras, where labels, markings, and imprints remained as documentation and instructions for the astronauts. That became the foundation for the design.
Benson C.
CasiMods::
Details of the NASA Hasselblad Electric Data Camera (HEDC). Photo by Marco Nietlisbach
Design Details
The overall aesthetic is industrial with a touch of cassette futurism. I wanted the watch to have a mechanical, utilitarian appearance while still retaining evidence of a human hand.
For the mechanical side, I installed micro screws and metal mesh onto the face plate, while also replacing the original reflective backing with mesh. I intentionally added slightly misaligned labels and imprints to introduce an organic quality to the otherwise mechanical design.
Since the inspiration came from the post-mission appearance of the space cameras, I also weathered the case and face plate. The divots and surface wear were then given additional contrast by filling them with dark, oil-based ink, creating the appearance of accumulated wear and grime.
Rather than making the entire watch silver, I added a few small color accents to give the design more character.
A red dot marks my location in California, referencing the map element on the AE1200. A yellow label marked “1969” pays homage to Apollo 11, the mission that brought the Hasselblad camera to the Moon and produced some of the most iconic photographs in history.
For the strap, I chose a minimalist black rubber strap. With the watch face already carrying a lot of visual information, the simple strap keeps the focus on the case and dial.
Design Process // Drag to view ↔
Base Watch: Casio AE1200 ←
Modifications
Case Screws Installation
Case Script Removal
Inner Plate Script Removal
Minor Weathering
Custom Fitted Metal Strap
Wire installation
Colored Filter Overlay
Custom Imprint on inner plate
Parts List
I have broken the project down to the following modifications. Most of the mod processes are difficult to depict by words, so I plan to launch a series of tutorials and behind the scenes soon. You can visit the YouTube channel to subscribe
Steel Mesh is Custom-made. Not available for purchase online.
Name: SpaceCam 1200
Model: Casio AE1200
Built in: California, USA
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Strap Material: Rubber with Steel Tang Buckle
Water Resistant: 10 Bar
Case size (L× W) 45 × 42mm
By CasiMods ® カシ改造
SpaceCam
1200
⚠
