Edge of Space.
(Getty Imgs)
Anyone here heard of ‘The Kámán Line’? I won’t lie, I hadn’t heard of it’s title until researching for this article, but I did know of it prior to writing, effectively ‘The Kármán Line’ is the traditionally accepted boundary between the atmosphere and outer space. Theodore von Kármán calculated in the 1960’s that at 50 miles, or 264,000 ft above sea level, the atmosphere is so thin that conventional aircraft can no longer function properly, and therefore not travel fast enough to maintain aerodynamic lift. The accepted altitude currently where the defined environment of Space begins is now at 62 miles above sea level or 327,360 ft. That being said, the US Air Force grant aviators who operate at above 50 miles the ability to be awarded and wear Astronaut Wings on their uniform.
Let’s bring it back to watches, when we talk about watches and Space, in normal parlance, the majority of the watch fam would be forgiven to think of Omega and the Speedmaster, Seiko and the Speedtimer, and even the Bulova and Lunar Chronograph. But this article isn’t about those well documented and to many, iconic watch houses with their immortalised references linked to human exploration in Space. This article is about those who operate regularly on the edge of Space, and have the second highest office window view other than the astronauts operating on the International Space Station, (ISS) which, if you were wondering orbits at an altitude of 248 miles above sea level.
Now, have you heard of the Lockheed U2?
(Lockeed Martin)
The U2, affectionately known as ‘The Dragon Lady’ by it’s pilots; because to quote a now retired squadron commander, “Sometimes she is like wrestling a dragon, sometimes she can be like dancing with a lady”. The U2 was designed in the 1950’s as the a strategic high altitude aerial reconnaissance platform. Unlike it’s cousin the SR-71, it doesn’t fly above 3.5 mach. The U2 has been in operational service since 1956 by the US Air Force, NASA, CIA and even the Taiwanese Air Force. The aircraft regularly operates at 70,000 ft, requiring the pilots to wear pressure suits akin to what NASA astronauts wear on lift off, as without them they would be in for a very unpleasant experience...
Now my personal link to this aircraft, it’s operators and it’s mission is longstanding and quite personal. The first U2 pilot I ever met was back in 1997, and I could just about grasp the concept of a plane where the pilot “wore and astronaut suit” and needed help from “chase cars” to help it land. Fast forward to 2008, when I was fortunate to know a few U2 pilots due to where I grew up; (and also as mentioned previously saw my first special project Breitling Aerospace) they kindly allowed me to visit the unit and experience many chase car rides. Later on, in my own career I would operate on the UK’s equivalent reconnaissance platform as an imagery intelligence analyst, finally finishing my connection with the same Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron (ERS) in 2018 by providing Counter Intelligence support to them. So I am more than happy to admit that I have a soft spot for the Dragon Lady, it’s operators and that specific ERS.
(Air Combat Commbat)
Never in my watch collecting journey did I think that I would have the opportunity to commemorate that part of my life and career with a watch. Earlier this year I connected with Paolo, the founder of A-13A. A-13A are an Italian based aviation micro-brand, who through their links within civil and military aviation have managed to supply a few bespoke runs of their fantastic chronographs to various flying units, particularly within the US military. For more on A-13A please check out Episode 69 of the ZT Podcast to listen to Paolo tell his story. After the podcast, and during my own short time testing the ‘Flyback’ iteration of the A-13A, Paolo opened up and told me more about his affiliation with the Dragon Lady community. He graciously allowed me to buy my own with my own engraving (albeit not as a cool as some of the call signs I have seen engraved)!
(Timely_Moments)
Earlier this summer, I went on holiday and managed to have a short meeting with the ERS First Sergeant whilst I was passing through. I normally drop by and buy some merch from their unit shop as a goodwill gesture to support the ERS, I mentioned that I would love for my own A-13A Chronograph to be “flown at altitude”. Not really thinking much of it, the conversation changed from a throw away comment to reality with the First Sergeant asking me to hand over my watch. That afternoon he went over to the aircrew briefing room and make it happen, they even went so far as to take a few photos of the watch at 70,000 ft!
(Timely_Moments)
For me, none of my special project watches will ever be sold. I aspire to eventually hand them down. The A-13A was never going to leave my collection, but now that it has an even cooler story attached to it. My thanks goes out to those who made it happen, so I guess all that’s left to say is, “In God we trust, all others we monitor”.
Dan @Timely_Moments
