TICKET TO RIDE!! Limited Edition Worldwide Introduction!!!

[O2AFAC67]

Special boarding passes were issued for the historic event. May 24th, 2012, the 50th anniversary celebration of Lieutenant Commander Scott Carpenter's historic "Aurora 7" Mercury capsule spaceflight, commemorated in fine form with the world wide introduction of Breitling's beautiful Limited Edition timepiece, the 2012 "Scott Carpenter" Navitimer Cosmonaute....



The introduction of the watch marks the first time Breitling have launched a new model outside Switzerland. The introduction was a technical innovation allowing three different locations in the United States to share the festivities via closed circuit television simultaneously while the event was being "webcast" worldwide on Breitling's internet website. In attendance at Breitling's New York City boutique was Cdr. Carpenter himself along with Space Shuttle commander Mark Kelly and Russian cosmonaute Sergey Volkov. While almost certaiinly the Miami, Florida authorized dealer location had celebrity guests in attendance, the authorized dealer chosen for the Houston event, Lewis Jewelers, has the advantage of being very near NASA's Johnson Space Center, the home of the astronauts. Mr. Slade Lewis and his family worked extremely hard to make this celebration a success... it most certainly was that and more. Through the untiring efforts of the Lewis family and their staff, no less than a dozen NASA astronauts, local politicians and dignitaries were in attendance at the well received event. Mr. Patrick Cawthorne is Breitling's well respected regional representative and he is the gentleman who coordinated this once in a lifetime happening here in Houston. Presented here is a thumbnail sketch of the gathering with a few comments provided for clarity...


"Y'all come on in!!!..."


"Welcome!...


Astronauts check in here...


and sign this please...


Refreshments and delicious hors d' oeuvres served all evening...


Mr. Cawthorne and a member of Lewis' fine staff with the CCTV event monitor (recognize anyone else here?)...


Cosmonaute Sergey Volkov, Space Shuttle Commander Mark Kelly and the very dapper Cdr. Carpenter himself...


The lovely Ashley is ready for the guests...




Ashley's personal Breitling. Ladies like the larger wristwatches too!!


The exact moment Cdr. Carpenter is presented with the very special timepiece...


and the toast...


In New York City the applause is enthusiastic and echoed here in Houston...


Mr. Slade Lewis introduces the very distinguished guests...


A warm reception for some true American heroes...


Callsign "Scorch" (Marine Col. Charles Hobaugh) holding forth about one of his crewmember's (Michael Gernhardt) watch obsession (Mr. Lewis and his lovely wife listening with intense interest)...


Other astronauts, Mr. Lewis and guests enjoying the humor of Scorch's "Tales From Outer Space"...


Col. Hobaugh and all the VIP astronaut guests are presented with a commemorative flight jacket...


Mr.Lewis introduces Breitling's main man, Mr. Cawthorne...


Mr. Cawthorne is feeling the love now...


Space Shuttle astronaut Michael Gernhardt brought part of his watch collection with him to the event...


Admiring a few of the seventeen watches astronaut Gernhardt wore while flying as crew on the Space Shuttle...


Three famous Breitling enthusiasts pose with Gernhardt...






Most of the seventeen watches Gernhardt flew with were Breitlings. Here are a couple of them...


This one was especially striking to me personally. How about the "shoes" on that vintage Chronomat?...


Mr. Lewis demonstrating a closed circuit view of one of the service workbenches at the dealership. With large excellent facilities and certified staff, his company is in the process of becoming one of the few Breitling authorized service centers in the United States...


Your humble correspondent with Mr. Lewis and Mr. Cawthorne in one area of the Breitling Boutique...


And finally, the commemorative medallion for the occasion with my own Breitling Navitimer Cosmonaute...



I hope the readers have enjoyed this report on an extremely enjoyable and memorable event. I would like to personally thank our gracious hosts, the Lewis family, Mr. Patrick Cawthorne and the Breitling company, all the fine staff at Lewis Jewelers and all the honored guests and attendees for a wonderful evening which I shall never forget. To Cdr. Carpenter and all the astronaut corp, past, present and future, I would like to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation for all they have done and continue to do. Blue skies, gentlemen and ladies...
Best,
Ron

[hansomegq67]

Awesome event. Awesome watch. Fantastic thread!
Thanks for showing.

[Dennis Smith]

Thanks for the report. Looked like a really good time. I like the new watch too.
Thanks for your service as well, Ron.

[EJC]

Wish i could have been there

[2500M_Sub]

Wow looks like a great time, thanks for the great pics, almost feel like I was there!

Regards,

Ren

[Capt Spaulding]

Wonderful, I remember that event, 50yrs ago amazing. Thanks for the report Ron, great pix.

Cheers Spaulding.

[toph]

great pics of a great event! Thanks

[JFingers]

Thanks for sharing! It looks like it was a great time (no pun intended)!

[CaptRimmer]

Great event, great review and great to see you looking so well Ron.
Thanks for posting.
Cheers,
Andy

[WatchFred]

Thanks for the great post, Ron !

did not know about those "17 Gernhardt watches in space", nice - and surprising, considering the late 1960s production date of these - to see a transOcean 7102 among them,
would be great to hear more about this ?

congrats again, enjoyed this a lot, Fred