When we talk about space exploration and watches, the conversation quickly leads to the Apollo Program and the Omega Speedmaster. However, we do know of watches and indeed men that made it to space earlier. One such man, Mr. John Glenn, died last week at the age of 95 after a lifetime of achievements, including becoming the first American to orbit the earth.
What many may not know is that he did so with a watch strapped to his wrist – but that doesn’t mean it was a wristwatch. John Glenn orbited the earth wearing a Heuer stopwatch, on his landmark flight on Mercury-Atlas 6, in a vessel named Friendship 7, in 1962. The previous two Mercury flights were sub-orbital, and Glenn was the first astronaut to actually achieve earth orbit
The first Swiss watch to make it into space was not an Omega or even a Breitling, it was a Heuer – model 2915A, a stopwatch. This was not a known fact for many years after Glenn returned to earth and the details were uncovered.
John Glenn’s stopwatch appears to be a standard Heuer stopwatch, Reference 2915-A. The stopwatch is attached to the wriststrap by a cloth bezel (and perhaps some adhesive at the back); the wriststrap appears to be elastic.
John Glenn, shortly before the launch of MA-6, walking from crew quarters to the vehicle that will transport him to the launch-pad. Note the Heuer stopwatch, on Glenn’s right wrist / forearm.
View of Astronaut John H. Glenn Jr., Dr. William Douglas, Astronauts Flight Surgeon, and equipment specialist Joe Schmitt leaving crew quarters prior to Mercury-Atlas 6 (MA-6) mission. Glenn is in his pressure suit and is carrying the portable ventilation unit. Date photograph taken — 1962 February 20.
Overall view of astronaut John Glenn, Jr., as he enters into the spacecraft Friendship 7 prior to MA-6 launch operations at Launch Complex 14. Astronaut Glenn is entering his spacecraft to begin the first American manned Earth orbital mission.
Below is the description of this stopwatch, from Heuer’s 1961-62 catalog, along with an illustration of the watch. How fitting that Heuer referred to this one as a “Long Range Timer”.
Sample of the Heuer stopwatch
15 Comments
Pat B
Very interested. Thanks for bringing to our attention. We all learn much from reading your weekly column. Keep it up.
Doug Upshaw
True hero – Right Stuff. A lot of faith in an inexpensive watch. Life on the line.
Kirk Brownlee
A first rate man and Marine. Watch doesn’t matter. “‘Nuff said.”
charles taft
Never knew this. Thanks, Mark!
Alan Brody
Inexpensive watch? Not at the time. Heuer was top of the line, and the 12 hour watches were relatively rare as most people were fine with a watch that measured up to 1 hour.
Peter
I don’t think $27 was inexpensive back then.
Tom
1962 $27.00 equals roughly $213.78 in today’s $$ so I would venture to say that
it was a very, VERY good watch for the time.
Chris
Mark, ever thought of having an easy twitter link to your articles? There are many watch nerds (including me) that would enjoy your articles. Just a suggestions.
The Watch Doctor
Great idea, will work on that shortly. Thanks
Mark Morgan
As always a great story. Have a merry Christmas.
Thanks Mark
Charles waller
That was fascinating.
Robert Lawson
Mark, do you know where the watch is now? Whatever the relative cost Colonel Glenn did not have to purchase it, we (taxpayers) did and money well spent I’ll say. Of note, I always wondered when the astronauts walked from the ready room to the transporter they had to lug along their own suit ventilation unit somewhat being heavy. Take a looksee at the second photo of him doing so and if fact a different one to boot.
Mark A. Plum
The Smithsonian Air and Space Museum has control of the artefact.
SEBASTIAN FERNANDEZ ELLERO
Really nice article. Just discovered your blog by chance and I love it!
Calico
Thank you from AISOR Italy.