Two years ago, on 14 October 2012, Felix Baumgartner became the first man to break the sound barrier outside a vehicle when he jumped from a balloon floating at the edge of outer space. During this historic jump, he was wearing an El Primero Stratos Flyback Striking 10th timepiece made by Zenith, one of the event’s sponsors and official timekeeper. To mark the event’s second anniversary, Zenith has created a special edition of the Academy Christophe Colomb tourbillion timepiece.
What makes this piece truly special more than anything else is its “self regulating gyroscopic module”, the first time something like has been used in a wristwatch. It is basically a gimbal-like system that holds the entire escapement in a horizontal position regardless the position of the watch itself. This results in superior timekeeping capabilities, since the balance wheel and the hairspring are constantly in a horizontal position, allowing for near-perfect regulation.
Most of the dial is in turquoise, representing the Earth as seen from space, while the upper section displays the Milky Way in aventurine as viewed from the edge of the atmosphere. The caseback features an 18-carat gold power reserve depicting Baumgartner, his capsule, and the Earth.
Only ten of these stunning timepieces are set to be produced, each priced at $275,000 – a figure, like the watch itself, worthy of such a momentous occasion.
