Mission CHRONOMETER
First Edition
The first commercially-available Towson Watch Collection timepiece. Materializing the spirit of the two certified space chronometers that served as faithful companions to astronauts aboard the Endeavor aircraft in 2000. Available in silver or black with a high-polish 40mm stainless steel case, accompanied by a leather strap. Exclusively sold in high-end retailers with a limited production of 250 timepieces. Circa 2007.
A standard triple- chronograph display of engine-turned sub-dials and a stamped textured center, featuring painted roman numerals and indices. Marked with the TWC initial logo. The triple-chronograph includes a minute counter at 12 o’clock, sweep-second at 9 o’clock and hour-counter at 6 o’clock. Surrounded by a tachymeter. The minute, hour and chronograph hands operate from the center with a push-pull crown and start/stop pushers aside it. The high-polish case is water resistant to 50 meters, shock absorbent, and capable of being worn in space. An exhibition case-back reveals the Swiss Caliber 7750 movement that is decorated, assembled, and calibrated in-house.
The first line of Mission Chronographs were available in silver and black dials, featuring the same size, movement, and composition as the original “Space Chronograph” worn by Commander Thiele. Hartwig Balke determined that his original “space watch” would need to be modified subtly, yet elegantly to support the desires of professionals and collectors. A mirror-finish for the steel case was chosen to replace the prior satin-finish. The movement would also require additional decoration for the sapphire crystal caseback. For the series, this meant the movements would no longer be sent to Switzerland for COSC-certification. The time would be allocated to achieving chronometer-grade accuracy in-house. Exclusively sold in high-end retailers with a limited production of 250 timepieces.
