This Fortis Official Cosmonauts Chronograph was worn by Sergei Zalyotin during his second flight into Space. His mission lasted twelve days from October 30, 2002 until November 10, 2002 used three different spacecraft and covered 4,800,000 miles while on orbit. The mission consisted of the first flight of the TMA class of the Soyuz spacecraft and short duration stay on the ISS and the last flight of the TM class of the Soyuz spacecraft.
As pictured below Zalyotin produced and signed a personal letter certifying that the watch flew in Space during his mission to the International Space Station (ISS).
Zalyotin had the unique experience in commanding first and last missions of two different classes of Soyuz spacecraft during his second spaceflight in 2002, but he also commanded the last mission to the Mir space station in 2000. Zalyotin and his Flight Engineer, Alexander Kaleri, were the last two cosmonauts to spend a long duration mission on the station prior to it’s deorbit from space.
The Fortis model number 632.22.141 and serial number 1456 has a Valjoux 7750 movement. The watch is crafted with a steel case. The bezel is a moveable timer. The timer buttons feature a screw locking system that prevents unintentional operation. The black dial and hands have tritium for illumination in dark light.
The watch also comes with a flown kit that includes a Velcro strap, the leather strap Sergei wore in space as well as the tools necessary to change the straps at any time.
It is, indeed, a thrill to add a flown chronograph to the growing collection of watches that are related to spaceflight.
