Swiss watchmaker Fortis, known for its pilot’s watches and automatic chronographs used in space missions, received special recognition at the autumn 2001 international meeting of European space agencies at the European Space Agency headquarters in Paris. Russia’s “Star of the Blue Planet” medal was presented to Fortis chief executive officer Peter Peter for the watchmaker’s “exceptional … development of mechanical chronographs for space travelers.” The presentation was made by Sergei A. Gorbunov, press secretary of the director general, Rosaviakosmos, the Russian Aviation and Space Agency. It’s the first time the medal has been awarded to a watch company. Only five other non-Russian individuals or agencies have been so honored. The medal previously has been given to Russian President Vladimir Putin, astronauts, and cosmonauts.