On The Wrist Of History
August Man SG|Issue 205 (September 2024)
THE ROLEX GMT-MASTER HAS PLAYED A PROMINENT ROLE IN SEVERAL OF HUMANKIND'S MILESTONES. WE TAKE A LOOK AT ITS HISTORY.
FARHAN SHAH
On The Wrist Of History

NOT MANY KNOW THIS, but Rolex has been an active participant in several space missions. Astronaut Stuart A. Roosa wore his own GMT-Master during the Apollo 14 mission. But, another GMT-Master wrapped tightly on the wrist of another astronaut, Jack Swigert, played a huge role in Apollo 13's safe return to earth.

Swigert was never meant to be on that shuttle. But he got the call two days before the launch, as a late replacement for the original command module pilot, Ken Mattingly. The latter had been accidentally exposed to rubella, or German measles, and had to be grounded for observation.

As actual day preparations for the launch began in earnest, few noticed the watch on Swigert's wrist, the Rolex GMT-Master. Dear to his heart, it was his good luck charm.

The capsule containing Swigert and the other astronauts splashed safely down in the Pacific Ocean between New Zealand and Fiji on 17 April 1970. The GMT-Master, albeit with a slightly cracked case, emerged from the metal cavern as Swigert climbed out of the hole. Today, that watch is with Geneva, together with a note addressed to then-Rolex director René-Paul Jeanneret ("To my longtime friend Rene Jeanneret who enabled me to always be on time") and a signed photo of the Apollo 13 splashdown.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة Issue 205 (September 2024) من August Man SG.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة Issue 205 (September 2024) من August Man SG.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من AUGUST MAN SG مشاهدة الكل
THE BACHA COFFEE RENAISSANCE
August Man SG

THE BACHA COFFEE RENAISSANCE

AUGUSTMAN speaks to Bacha Coffee's chief commercial officer, Maranda Barnes, who shares some insights into the brand's impressive expansion plans.

time-read
4 mins  |
Issue 209 (January 2025)
Sports Democracy
August Man SG

Sports Democracy

STARHUB HAS DONE MUCH TO BRIDGE EVERYDAY SINGAPOREANS WITH THE BEST IN SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT WITH ITS SPORTS+ PASS. CHIEF OF CONSUMER BUSINESS JOHAN BUSE TELLS US MORE ABOUT THEIR EFFORTS IN BRINGING FOOTBALL TO ALL.

time-read
6 mins  |
Issue 209 (January 2025)
Titanium Second Skin
August Man SG

Titanium Second Skin

Combining ergonomics, horology, and materials, the Roger Dubuis Excalibur Monobalancier Titanium becomes an extension of the wearer.

time-read
2 mins  |
Issue 209 (January 2025)
AFTER THE PARTY
August Man SG

AFTER THE PARTY

This new year, I reject the new and embrace the old.

time-read
2 mins  |
Issue 209 (January 2025)
OH, WHAT A NIGHT!
August Man SG

OH, WHAT A NIGHT!

The party to fete AUGUSTMAN Malaysia's Men of the Year 2024 was one to remember.

time-read
2 mins  |
Issue 209 (January 2025)
Metal To Pedestal
August Man SG

Metal To Pedestal

Kia's much-vaunted EV9 is a sleek, powerful electric vehicle stealing attention from Chinese upstarts and European giants. Will it keep our gaze or will the hype sputter?

time-read
3 mins  |
Issue 209 (January 2025)
IT IS NOT A WRAP
August Man SG

IT IS NOT A WRAP

THIS YEAR, I REJECT THE FLAWED FINDINGS OF MY 2024 SPOTIFY WRAPPED ROUNDUP AND VOW TO BE, DO, AND LISTEN BETTER. THE WORK STARTS NOW.

time-read
3 mins  |
Issue 209 (January 2025)
When Nature Called
August Man SG

When Nature Called

...I ANSWERED IT AT EVERY BREAK OF DAWN.

time-read
6 mins  |
Issue 209 (January 2025)
THE ONE WHO MOVES THE NEEDLE
August Man SG

THE ONE WHO MOVES THE NEEDLE

Opera Gallery may be the world's most famous purveyor of fine art. AUGUSTMAN traces its Singapore roots with Gilles Dyan, its founder and chairman.

time-read
4 mins  |
Issue 209 (January 2025)
RAY OF LIGHT
August Man SG

RAY OF LIGHT

Mark Foster, founder and frontman for the multi-platinum-selling, somewhat-eponymous band Foster The People on creating the most vital music of his existence.

time-read
3 mins  |
Issue 209 (January 2025)