Christie’s reveals “The Vacheron Constantin Apollo 14 for Edgar Mitchell timepiece”

It’s a mystery that has puzzled Vacheron Constantin and watch collectors for half a decade.

What’s the story behind the Vacheron Constantin timepiece with the Apollo 14 insignia on the dial? After years of search, Christie’s is proud to supply on December sixth 2016, a timepiece that has been the topic of great inquiry and curiosity:

the Vacheron Constantin “Apollo 14 for Edgar Mitchell” reference 6351.

Apollo 14 was the third mission to land on the Moon and the eighth manned mission within the Apollo program of the USA. The mission launched January 31, 1971. Alan Shepard and Edgar Mitchell landed on the Moon on February fifth whereas Stuart Roosa remained within the Command Module in lunar orbit. Alan Shepard and Edgar Mitchell spend over 33 hours on the Moon with over 9 hours of whole time of “extravehicular activity” (EVA) outside of the lunar module, colloquially generally known as “moon walks”.

After their return from space on February 9, 1971, Edgar Mitchell was introduced with the Vacheron Constantin Ref. 6351 timepiece, ‘Within the title of some Geneva citizens’, in accordance with the engraved inscription on the case back.

This considered one of solely three examples ever produced, highlights the Apollo 14 insignia on its dial. That includes the final names of the crew and a representation of a gold star approaching the Moon from Earth. This star symbol, just like a comet, lives on at this time because the symbol of the USA Nationwide Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) astronaut corps.

On the coronary heart of the watch, beats the ultrathin caliber 1003 introduced by Vacheron Constantin in 1955. The caliber 1003 was the world’s thinnest hand‐wound mechanical wristwatch movement for over 50 years and continues to be utilized by Vacheron Constantin in the present day.

This timepiece is a logo of Edgard Mitchells’ heroism and expertise, destined to impression the course of human historical past. “That spaceflight was the culmination of my being”, Edgar Mitchell, 1997.

The watch is accompanied by a Vacheron Constantin Certificate of Origin, an Apollo 14 flight badge, an Apollo 14 flight badge pin, 4 silver commemorative medals and a Vacheron Constantin presentation field studying, ‘Within the name of some Geneva residents for Edgar D. Mitchell, Lunar Module Pilot Apollo 14, especially made by Vacheron Constantin Geneva’.