The new series of limited edition watches marks the first joint flight of American astronauts and Russian cosmonauts to Space… Mountain.
Hong Kong watch brand UNDONE put up three watch models for sale. (will open in a new tab) commemorates the visit of the first American and Russian joint space crew to the Magic Kingdom ahead of their historic mission.
“UNDONE presents a limited edition box set of the tools of time for the wannabe cosmic legend within each of us. UNDONE Disney Space Legend Box Set (will open in a new tab) marks an iconic moment in Disney World in 1975 when Mickey Mouse greeted astronauts and astronauts on their way to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida,” the company announced on Wednesday (January 4).
Related: Apollo Soyuz Test Project Mission in Photos
Five months before the orbit, five members of the Apollo Soyuz Test Project (ASTP) met at a Disney theme park, where they rode Space Mountain and Star Jets, among other attractions. Feb. September 9, 1975 visit of astronauts Thomas Stafford, Vance Brand and Dick Slayton, cosmonauts Alexei Leonov. (will open in a new tab) and Valery Kubasov, and the delegation from the space program was an opportunity for both recreation and publicity before the Russians left for their final training session in Houston.
According to The New York Times, Leonov jokingly called Space Mountain “a really good integrated simulator” for the ASTP mission. (will open in a new tab).
The new Disney Space Legend three-piece set from UNDONE, which includes two clocks and a “mission timer”, is limited to just 100 units. (Image credit: Undone (collectSPACE.com montage))
Limited to just 100 pieces, the $1,499 UNDONE Disney Space Legend set focuses on each “side” of the mission.
The Apollo watch features a “retro-futuristic” design, powered by a Japanese automatic movement and crowned with a K1 ultra-dome lens that makes the signature Galaxy Lume dial fully visible.
A more technical approach is taken to the Soyuz, a three-dial chronograph with carbon fiber bezel, galaxy luminescent dial and mission-ready NATO-style strap.
The dial of both watches features a small planet in the shape of Mickey Mouse and the Space Legend logo. The partially transparent case back features astronaut Mickey wearing a red-striped spacesuit similar to the one worn by the character who greeted the ASTP crew. The reverse of both watches also features the inscription “Adventure and Exploration”.
Rounding out the trio is a mission timer watch, a desktop model that “may remain in the cockpit or mission control center.” The timer dial is stylized as a watch.
All three models come in a waterproof and shockproof case with an exclusive set of collectible stickers featuring Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy, Pluto and Chip and Dale in space suits.
Mickey Mouse greets the Apollo Soyuz Test Project team at Disney World in Florida. 9, 1975. Mickey is greeted (left to right) by cosmonaut Valery Kubasov, astronauts Dick Slayton and Vance Brand, cosmonaut Alexei Leonov, astronaut Tom Stafford and cosmonaut Vladimir Shatalov, head of cosmonaut training of the Soviet Union. (Image credit: NASA)
During the ASTP mission on July 15, 1975, the United States and Russia launched separate spacecraft. Two days later, the Apollo Command Module (will open in a new tab) and the Soyuz capsule was launched into low-Earth orbit, where they remained docked for joint crew work for 47 hours. The mission laid the foundation for the subsequent cooperation between the two countries on the assembly and operation of the International Space Station, which continues today, 22 years later.
The visit of astronauts and cosmonauts to the Magic Kingdom was the second time that real space travelers have appeared in the Disney park. (will open in a new tab) in 1975. A month earlier, early Mercury astronauts Scott Carpenter and Gordon Cooper, along with Apollo rover Jim Irwin, took part in the opening ceremony for Space Mountain, which opened to the public on January 1, 2019. 15, 1975.
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