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The Heuer stopwatch
© DR / TAG Heuer |
n independent researcher has presented conclusive evidence that US astronaut John Glenn was wearing a Heuer stopwatch when he piloted the Mercury-Atlas 6 "Friendship 7" spacecraft on the first manned U.S. orbital mission in 1962. This means that Heuer now named TAG Heuer was the first Swiss watchmaker in space!
Prior to Glenn’s historic flight, the only watch to have passed beyond the stratosphere was the Russian-made chronograph that Yuri Gagarin wore when he orbited the earth in 1961.
The evidence, presented by space and watch enthusiast Jeff Stein, is based on flight records and NASA documents and several archival photographs. “The Heuer stopwatch was selected by NASA due to its ability to withstand the high G-forces created by liftoff.” Stein explains.
The stopwatch, a "standard Heuer stopwatch, Reference 2915A", with 12-hour capacity and 1/5 second accuracy, was fitted with elastic bands to be secured onto the sleeve of Glenn's spacesuit. It is now owned by the Smithsonian Institute and currently on display at the San Diego Air and Space Museum.
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John Glenn and the Mercury-Atlas 6 "Friendship 7" spacecraft
© DR |
According to Stein, the Heuer stopwatch strapped to Glenn’s wrist over his space suit served as the "backup clock" for the flight.
The leading maker of precision-driven sports watches and chronographs since 1860, TAG Heuer is grateful to Jeff Stein for his research and proud to be associated with John Glenn’s historic achievement.
(Published on November 6th, 2006)
