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SpeedyPhill
·Hodinkee:
https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/s...aute-the-first-swiss-wristwatch-worn-in-space
🙄
At the time of US Navy Lt Scott Carpenter’s flight, NASA had not yet selected a watch to be worn by their astronauts so being a US Navy test pilot, Carpenter approached Swiss watch company Breitling in order to get a pilot chronograph with a 24 hour dial. Breitling came up with their Navitimer three sub-register chronograph in a 42 mm diameter version with 24 hour indication and simplified white colored slide rule bezel. Although the watch performed flawlessly during flight, on splash-down in the Atlantic Ocean northeast of Puerto Rico, Carpenter’s Navitimer chronograph got water-damaged and was returned to Breitling.
During Aurora-7 re-entry Carpenter overshot the landing point and had to wait more than 3 hours before being recovered by USS Intrepid. The photo used by Hodinkee shows a black figure in a life raft, more than probably a para rescue diver as Carpenter wore a flashy silver Goodrich pressure suit. Moreover most post-flight photos onboard the carrier show Carpenter without a wrist watch as he already took it of onboard the Sikorsky recovery helicopter.
The best post-flight photos were taken in the Carrier's Captain quarters where Scott Carpenter undressed and underwent the first medical checks by LtCol Doctor E. Schear. The Breitling nowhere to be seen!
So we would certainly like to see a photo showing Scott Carpenter in the life raft wearing the Breitling as most photos of Carpenter in a life raft were taken May 13, 1962 during recovery procedure rehearsal & training, without a watch.
☕
Last but not least:
Quote:
When the community of enthusiasts who collect "space watches" and other space memorabilia began to emerge, circa 2000...
End quote
😲 It looks like the watch community never read a 1980s/1990s Aviation or Spaceflight magazine on the topic 😲
But kudos on writing an elaborate article on Carpenter's Breitling Navitimer as the 60 years wait seems to be over !
.
(Photos: NASA : Carpenter's equipment including the Breitling Navitimer at prelaunch May 24, 1962)
.
Edit: added a preflight photo with John Glenn
https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/s...aute-the-first-swiss-wristwatch-worn-in-space
🙄
At the time of US Navy Lt Scott Carpenter’s flight, NASA had not yet selected a watch to be worn by their astronauts so being a US Navy test pilot, Carpenter approached Swiss watch company Breitling in order to get a pilot chronograph with a 24 hour dial. Breitling came up with their Navitimer three sub-register chronograph in a 42 mm diameter version with 24 hour indication and simplified white colored slide rule bezel. Although the watch performed flawlessly during flight, on splash-down in the Atlantic Ocean northeast of Puerto Rico, Carpenter’s Navitimer chronograph got water-damaged and was returned to Breitling.
During Aurora-7 re-entry Carpenter overshot the landing point and had to wait more than 3 hours before being recovered by USS Intrepid. The photo used by Hodinkee shows a black figure in a life raft, more than probably a para rescue diver as Carpenter wore a flashy silver Goodrich pressure suit. Moreover most post-flight photos onboard the carrier show Carpenter without a wrist watch as he already took it of onboard the Sikorsky recovery helicopter.
The best post-flight photos were taken in the Carrier's Captain quarters where Scott Carpenter undressed and underwent the first medical checks by LtCol Doctor E. Schear. The Breitling nowhere to be seen!
So we would certainly like to see a photo showing Scott Carpenter in the life raft wearing the Breitling as most photos of Carpenter in a life raft were taken May 13, 1962 during recovery procedure rehearsal & training, without a watch.
☕
Last but not least:
Quote:
When the community of enthusiasts who collect "space watches" and other space memorabilia began to emerge, circa 2000...
End quote
😲 It looks like the watch community never read a 1980s/1990s Aviation or Spaceflight magazine on the topic 😲
But kudos on writing an elaborate article on Carpenter's Breitling Navitimer as the 60 years wait seems to be over !
.
(Photos: NASA : Carpenter's equipment including the Breitling Navitimer at prelaunch May 24, 1962)
.
Edit: added a preflight photo with John Glenn
Edited:
