It’s blue and it’s beautiful and it has left the Earth’s atmosphere and returned safely. So safely that the Jacob & Co. Astronomia Tourbillon Bucherer Blue timepiece outfitted with a triple axis tourbillon is slated to be auctioned by Sotheby’s in New York on July 26th. The watch was carried on board the Axiom Space AX-1 mission to the International Space Station last April 8th by philanthropist and mission specialist Eytan Stibbe. The four-member crew and the watch returned safely off the Florida coast on April 25th.

The watch in and of itself is a master creation. It is outfitted with an extremely complex movement: the gravitational triple axis tourbillon. It has a dark blue starry background set into a pronounced domed case which features four « satellites » in constant motion including the dial, the tourbillon cage, a spherical diamond that reflects the moon and a magnesium lacquered globe that reflects the Earth. The watch has been brought out in a limited edition of 18 pieces and is equipped with an alligator strap that sports an 18k white gold buckle.

“The Astronomia tourbillon is a truly unique, groundbreaking timepiece that elevates the art of watchmaking above the Earth, above time,” said Jacob Arabov, Founder & Chairman of Jacob & Co. “So the very idea of sending this special Astronomia into space, as you can imagine, was very exciting. It’s only fitting that the Astronomia Bucherer Blue ends up revolving around the Earth. The watch had the same viewpoint on us as we usually have on it. This reversal is typical of the way I envision the creation of timepieces.”

According to crew member, Eytan Stibbe, the Astronomia Tourbillon Bucherer Blue timepiece continued to accurately display the time during the launch and return to earth, enduring extremely high G-forces and also micro-gravity while in space.
©Trish Valicenti for The Gourmet Gazette
Proceeds from the sale will be donated to charities.
For on-line bidding:
https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2022/jacob-co-astronomia-bucherer-blue