On April 8 Axiom Space launched AX-1, flight crewed by a four-person team to and from the International Space Station (ISS). The flight launched from the Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida and returned off the Florida coast on Monday, April 25.

A crew member on this historical mission was Eytan Stibbe, an impact investor and philanthropist, leading the Israeli designed Rakia mission to space. He had the distinction of carrying along the Jacob & Co. Astronomia Tourbillon Bucherer BLUE.

Created in partnership between two watchmakers with reputations for innovation and excellence, this Astronomia timepiece was first triple axis tourbillon to leave the Earth’s atmosphere, shuttled on the first private, all-commercial space mission.

While the Jacob & Co. Astronomia Tourbillon Bucherer BLUE has already traveled to space and back on a single mission, the timepiece’s most significant impact will reverberate for generations, as it will be part of a special sale auctioned through Sotheby’s with proceeds to be donated. The watch is now set to embark on a public tour, visiting multiple locations before it ultimately hits the auction block.

A Watch Designed For Its Unique Mission

A marvel of Swiss craftsmanship and the decorative arts, the Jacob & Co. Astronomia Tourbillon Bucherer BLUE is inherently a unique watch. It imparts an otherworldly quality through its complex movement, a gravitational triple axis tourbillon. Its pronounced domed case features a microcosm of the AX-1 mission itself, as it features four satellites in constant motion: the dial, the tourbillon cage, a spherical diamond reflecting the moon and a magnesium lacquered globe reflecting the earth. The mission is further commemorated on the caseback of the timepiece, as it features a design of the moon, stars and spaceship traveling towards the International Space Station while orbiting the earth.

Making the watch even more alluring is the Bucherer BLUE color scheme, which has been incorporated in the intricate caseback design. As Patrick Graf, Chief Commercial Officer of Bucherer, described, “Bucherer BLUE is our playground for bringing to life daring projects with innovative partners. Together we strive to create the extraordinary and celebrate drive and curiosity of our NextGen customers. Jacob & Co.’s exceptional timepieces, imaginative power, and can-do attitude makes possible what seemed impossible before."

How To See The Jacob & Co. Astronomia

The Jacob & Co. Astronomia Bucherer BLUE will be on public display for nearly two months this summer. The public exhibition tour kicks off in New York City from July 11th through 17th at the newly reopened Bucherer 1888 TimeMachine. From here, the timepiece will travel to the Sotheby’s New York Galleries from July 26th through 25th before its single-lot, dedicated live auction on July 26th.

“From our first dedicated Space Exploration sale in 2017 to our auction of Omega Speedmasters in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11, Sotheby’s has been a pioneer at bringing together the world of space and watch collecting, offering some of the rarest examples in each category,” Josh Pullan, Head of Sotheby’s Global Luxury Division, shared. “We’re thrilled to be part of this journey, which marks the first haute horological tourbillon to travel into orbit.”

Introducing The Jacob & Co. Epic X Bucherer BLUE Edition

Along with this one-of-a-kind Astronomia, Jacob & Co. and Bucherer have collaborated on a second style to honor the Ax-1. The Epic X Bucherer BLUE Edition is a limited-release manual timepiece, with 18 models exclusively available for purchase in the U.S. at the Bucherer 1888 TimeMachine and on Tourneau.com.

This new take on the watchmaker’s renowned icon is a skeleton watch that nods to interstellar travel through an engraving of an astronaut, clad in a spacesuit and helmet, gazing at the Earth from space on the titanium caseback. Its honeycomb strap and dial markers are rendered in Bucherer BLUE for a strikingly luxurious appeal.

Imbuing innovation, exploration and a belief that, through partnership, possibilities are boundless, the Epic X Bucherer BLUE is a reminder that in our technologically-advanced age, anyone has the ability to go beyond time and space.


explore epic x bucherer blue