14 Seconds of Chronograph precision

“Houston we have a problem” the infamous saying we’ve all heard before when things don’t exactly go as planned, but have you ever wondered where it comes from?

The year was 1970. April the 11th, three men took off in a space shuttle from Cape Canaveral in Florida USA, on a routine mission to the moon. Their mission was to safely land on the moon and return home after the lunar landing, but as we all know from the movie Apollo 13, things didn’t turn out too well for the three crew members on board.

When the crew was approximately 32 186Km away from earth and closing down on the moon, a warning signal popped up indicating low-pressure on a hydrogen tank in the spacecraft called the Odyssey. Assuming the signal was just indicating that the hydrogen tank just needed to resettle by heating and fanning the gas tank which is called “cryo stir” they decided to run the monotonous procedure.

Moments later, chaos erupted. Their oxygen was slowly depleting and the spacecraft had no power. You can only imagine what was going through their minds at that point. It was then and there where the crew notified mission control that “Houston we’ve had a problem”. That night on 13 April 1970, a spark caused by an exposed wire caused the oxygen tank to set on fire, ripping one tank apart and damaging another inside the craft.

This ultimately led them to make a decision, which was to return to earth. Alas, upon their return, mission control realized that the craft was off its route and entering the earth’s atmosphere was going to be a tremendous feat if they somehow managed to pull it off. The solution? Mission control figured out that if they turned on the engines for 14 seconds it would be enough for them to get their returning trajectory at such a point where they would safely enter the atmosphere. The only problem was that the power in the craft was switched off, meaning they had no indication of time and to make things worse, if they overshot the seconds on the engines the spacecraft could explode.

It was at that point where the Swiss saved America. If it weren’t for the chronograph watch that one of the crew members used to count down the 14 seconds, things could’ve turned out much differently for them. They ended up splashing down safely in the Pacific Ocean near Samoa on April 17.

In light of this, we thought it would be a great idea to showcase some of our most loved Ingersoll chronograph watches in this article. Who knows, they might end up saving your life too, but if they don’t at least you’ll have a timepiece that can be passed down for generations to come, leaving your legacy on the wrists of your loved ones.

The Ingersoll Delta is an astonishing timepiece that any watch collector would appreciate in his collection. The classic and elegant features on this watch afford the wearer a sleek modern design. The prominent silver case combined with the silver dials and genuine leather strap is what makes it a hot pick for any watch lover. It also features a pin and buckle clasp and scratch-resistant mineral glass to protect your investment from any damage. Buying an Ingersoll ensures your watch is protected for life with the lifetime warranty.

Next up we’ve got the remarkable Ingersoll the Hatton. Another classic and elegant design, this watch was made to be strapped on by a genuine collector. The smooth design of the case combined with its off-white dials and cream leather strap makes it a great investment for any collector or watch lover. What makes this watch stand out even further is the immaculate crown and pusher that brings a minimalistic balance to the watch.

If you’re a collector that’s looking for some flair, well then you would love this next Ingersoll Michigan. The two-tone rose gold and silver case is what sets it apart from other chronographs. Ingersoll has beautifully designed the crown and pusher buttons along with the sub-dials and date window on this watch. Just like all the other Ingersoll legacy timepieces, this watch is accompanied with a lifetime warranty and to further protect your wrist companion they’ve added scratch-resistant glass and a sturdy brown display box. It features a genuine leather strap with a push-button clasp type for a quick release.

Next up in our chronograph collection, we’ve got the elegant Ingersoll Scovill. This eye-catching watch was designed to make a bold statement on the wearer's wrist. The Scovill is constructed from a stainless steel material with a powerful black and silver dial and case combination. Unlike the Michigan watch above, this Ingersoll Scovill features a very elegant crown and pusher buttons that are not too bulky. Like most high end watches the Scovill comes with a pin and buckle clasp and a sturdy stainless steel strap. You can rest assured that your legacy timepiece will be protected from any damages that might occur to the face, with scratch-resistant mineral glass and a robust wooden display box in which it sits. Buying one of these means you secure your place in the Ingersoll hall of fame with the lifetime warranty it comes with.

They say the devil is in the details and when it comes to details this Ingersoll the ST JOHNS exhibits the finest traits in fine watchmaking. The textured black dial colour and the silver stainless steel case elegantly showcases the unique craftsmanship of the Ingersoll company. What stands out the most about this watch is the contrasting gold coloured sub-dials and date window which sits between 4 and 5 on this watch. Any collector that’s on the lookout for a timepiece that can be passed down for generations, would absolutely love this ST JOHNS timepiece. The pin strap is made from genuine leather and the face is protected by scratch-resistant glass, ensuring it looks as good as the day you put it on your wrist for the first time.

Rose gold has slowly forged its way into the hearts of watch collectors all around the globe. In light of that, we chose to feature this truly magnificent chronograph, The regent. Ingersoll has managed to perfect their craft and this watch is testament to fine watches all over the world. The regent might be the only watch in your collection that you would have a hard time parting with the day you hand over your legacy. The rose gold case and deep blue dials in combination with the striking sub-dials and date window elevate this watch to the top of any watch collector’s collection. One amazing feature of the REGENT is that it comes with a tachymeter bezel so this is probably the one that would save your life should the time ever be a factor.

To top it all off, Ingersoll added a genuine leather strap with a quick-release push-button clasp that sits perfectly around all wrist sizes. Because this watch is bound to be your new-found favourite, they’ve gone and added scratch-resistant mineral glass to keep it as new as the day you bought it.

Last but not least on our list of chronograph watches is the breath taking Ingersoll The Grafton. Just like Michigan from earlier in this article, the Grafton comes in a striking two-tone gold and silver colour combination. This elegant timepiece with its cream dial finish and the brown leather strap will get the attention of any serious collector. What we love about this watch is how sophisticatedly they placed the sub-dials and date window. The slimmer crown and pusher buttons on the side beautifully round this watch off and affords it a much more elegant feel whilst wearing it. You can swiftly take it off with the push button clasp and you’ll never have to worry about scratching the face because it’s protected just like all the other Ingersoll’s.

All of Ingersoll’s watches were meticulously thought out and created with functionality, comfortability and trendy watch aesthetics in mind. They offer you a part of their fascinating legacy and by owning one yourself you get the chance of passing down your own heirloom when the time comes.

Ingersoll creates investment timepieces fit for any watch lover or collector that appreciates the value of remarkable craftsmanship. Just like the three astronauts of the Apollo 13 mission, in life, we strive to make the best decisions and that’s why you can never go wrong with an Ingersoll timepiece.

They were made to be strapped on the wrists of pioneers and have often accompanied men to the most unbelievable places. Owning an Ingersoll not only gets the people buzzing it also gives you a chance to showcase your unique sense of style and upper sophistication. The right watch will take you places, whether it’s to the Moon or to the peak of Kilimanjaro. Shop our stunning collection online now, and if you liked this article feel free to share it and tag us.