The first-ever Triple Axis tourbillon to go into space comes back for a fundraising auction to benefit a great cause.

Jacob & Co., Tourneau Bucherer and Sotheby’s join forces to create a history-making event and rekindle what is at the foundation of the human spirit: when you put your mind to it and work together, anything is possible.

Innovation, exploration, and a belief that, through partnership, the possibilities are boundless: that is the spirit that brought together Jacob & Co., Bucherer BLUE, and Sotheby’s to reach for the stars and make a difference on Earth. 

Two of the world’s most famous names in watches and watchmaking, and Sotheby’s, the world’s premier destination for art and luxury, have joined forces in the spirit of pushing boundaries to send a special timepiece into the unmapped vastness of space. 

The uniquely desirable object designed by Jacob will make history at a charitable auction held exclusively for it: the Jacob & Co. Astronomia Tourbillon Bucherer BLUE. This unique watch, a marvel of Swiss craftsmanship and the decorative arts, is the first triple axis tourbillon to ever leave the Earth’s atmosphere.

A galactic first

On April 8th, 2022, the Axiom Space Mission lifted off from Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida to rendezvous with the International Space Station (ISS). Among the four-person crew of flight AX-1: Eytan Stibbe, impact investor and philanthropist, leader of the Israeli-designed Rakia mission to space – on his wrist, the Jacob & Co. Astronomia Tourbillon Bucherer BLUE. The historical Axion Mission, which marked the first time ever that a Triple Axis tourbillon was sent to into space, concluded with the safe return of the astronauts on Monday, April 25th, 2022. 

The Rakia mission, along with the Astronomia Tourbillon Bucherer BLUE on Mission Leader Eytan Stibbe’s wrist, spent 17 days 1 hour and 37 minutes in space, as the space crew orbited the Earth 273 times at an altitude of 250 miles at nearly 17,500 mph, covering a distance of over 7 million miles in total. 

Astronomia Tourbillon Bucherer Blue

The Jacob & Co. Astronomia Bucherer BLUE is truly a horological wonder, imparting an otherworldly quality to the idea of a timekeeper. The complex movement, for one, is built around a gravitational triple axis tourbillon. The dark blue starry background mirrors the deep, captivating color of the firmament (“Rakia” in Hebrew) and the pronounced domed case, made of anti-reflective sapphire crystal, essentially features a microcosm: four satellites turn in constant motion, including the dial, tourbillon cage, a spherical diamond that reflects the moon, and a magnesium lacquered globe that reflects the Earth. All finished in the Bucherer BLUE color scheme, this timepiece is galactic to the core.

“The Astronomia Bucherer BLUE tourbillon is a truly unique, groundbreaking timepiece that elevates the art of watchmaking above the Earth, above time. So the very idea of sending this special Astronomia into space, as you can imagine, was very exciting. It is only fitting that the Astronomia should revolve around the Earth. The watch had the same viewpoint on us as we usually have on it. This mirroring is typical of the way I envision the creation of timepieces,” comments Benjamin Arabov, CEO of Jacob & Co. 

Axiom Mission Leader Eytan Stibbe, impact investor and philanthropist, adds: “The Astronomia Tourbillon Bucherer BLUE timepiece continued to accurately display the time during the launch and return to earth, enduring extremely high G-forces and also micro-gravity while in space.”

“Bucherer BLUE” is our platform 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,” says Patrick Graf, Chief Commercial Officer of Bucherer. “Jacob & Co.’s exceptional timepieces, imaginative power, and can-do attitude makes possible what seemed impossible before. Powered by the internationally renowned auction house Sotheby’s, this collaboration brings the Bucherer BLUE philosophy to a whole new level and we are incredibly excited that the Astronomia Bucherer BLUE went up to space, pushing boundaries beyond the expected.”

A single-lot auction by Sotheby’s

Upon its return from space, the first Triple Axis watch to escape Earth’s atmosphere, embarked on a public exhibition tour in New York City, first stopping at the Bucherer 1888 TimeMachine flagship store in New York from July 11th to 17th, 2022, and from there to Sotheby's New York where it will be on display from July 21st to 25th, 2022, before heading to the auction block for the single-lot dedicated live auction on July 26th, 2022.. 

On offer with no reserve – and bidding starting at $1 – proceeds will be donated to benefit the Davidson Institute of Science Education, an Israeli non-profit organization that serves as the educational arm of the Weizmann Institute of Science. The organization believes in connecting people to science, initiates, organizes, and operates a wide range of educational programs. While the Jacob & Co. Astronomia Bucherer BLUE traveled to space and back on a single mission, the timepiece's impact, because of this special sale, will reverberate for generations.  

“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,” says Josh Pullan, Head of Sotheby’s Global Luxury Division. “We’re thrilled to be part of this journey, which marks the first haute horological tourbillon to travel into orbit. The shared spirit of innovation brought Jacob & Co, Bucherer, and Sotheby’s together for this project and we are honored that the auction of this special timepiece will also benefit charity.”

A commemorative limited edition

The Astronomia Bucherer BLUE is in itself a captivating timepiece, but as the first triple axis tourbillon to reach the exosphere, its allure is even more entrancing. It is undisputedly one-of-a-kind. Along with the Astronomia tourbillon, Jacob & Co. and Bucherer also pay tribute to the greater involvement of the private sector in space exploration with the release of the EpicX Bucherer BLUE Edition. Inspired by the Axiom Mission, this limited-edition manual-winding timepiece with a skeletonized movement will be available for purchase exclusively in the U.S. at Bucherer. The exclusive 18 pieces feature an eye-catching blue honeycomb strap and a titanium case back with an engraving of an astronaut gazing at the Earth from space.

Both the Astronomia and EpicX are two watches imbued with the spirit of innovation, exploration, and the belief that, through partnership, the possibilities are boundless – the spirit that brought together Jacob & Co., Bucherer BLUE, and Sotheby’s to reach for the stars and make a difference on Earth.