Who is advising the high schoolers? The pressure of space launch? The question is whether the launch vibrations will destroy the watch, not whether or not they survive the vacuum. Either question can be answered on the ground -- in fact, they should have been answered if the payload was properly tested before launch.
Does anyone know what they launch vehicle is? There are lots of cool ones at WSMR, but I'm guessing it's a new vehicle.
Looked like a Hisbolla Katusha..........:)