Breitling’s Restricted Editon New Navitimer Cosmonaute

Celebrating the Sixtieth-anniversary of Navitimer Cosmonaute’s launch on the Aurora 7 spacecraft, this 24-hour dial timepiece has been re-launched, in tribute to the historic mission. On the identical time, Breitling provided the primary public viewing of the unique Cosmonaute since 1962, telling the watch’s unbelievable story.

The undisputed pilot’s watch

On Could 24, 1962, Breitling formally claimed the title “first Swiss wristwatch in area” astronaut Scott Carpenter orbited the Earth 3 times whereas carrying the Navitimer Cosmonaute through the Mercury-Atlas 7 mission. Designed in collaboration with Carpenter, it was a tackle the aviator watch he’d encountered in his flight days; however the added characteristic of a 24-hour dial enabled the astronaut to inform day from night time in area.

On Could 24, 1962, 5 hours after launch, the Aurora 7 area capsule with Carpenter aboard splashed down safely within the Atlantic. The restoration operation lasted three hours, nevertheless, the lengthy publicity to seawater brought on lasting harm to Carpenter’s Cosmonaute. Breitling Supplied one other for Carpenter, however stored the battered and corroded piece of area historical past within the household archives, the place it lay till spring 2022.

362 restricted version items

60 years to the day from the beginning of that mission, Breitling displayed Carpenter’s unique Navitimer Cosmonaute, whereas additionally revealing a contemporary limited-edition tribute to it. Choose collectors, journalists, and watch lovers have been invited to a space-themed occasion in Zurich, co-hosted by Georges Kern (CEO of Breitling) and former NASA astronaut Scott Kelly. The occasion additionally featured a lineup of visitor audio system that included members of the Carpenter household, Gregory Breitling, and historian and collector Fred Mandelbaum. Additionally exhibited was a Cosmonaute as soon as owned by astronaut John Glenn and bought at public sale in 2019 by Gregory Breitling.

Georges Kern commented: “Once we launched the redesigned Navitimer earlier this yr, a query on everyone’s lips was, ‘What in regards to the Cosmonaute?’ Right this moment, I’m thrilled to lastly announce two Cosmonaute reveals: the first-ever public viewing of the watch Scott Carpenter wore into area and a Sixtieth-anniversary limited-edition timepiece that pays tribute to its history-making forerunner.”

Trustworthy, however with new options

The brand new Cosmonaute maintains the round slide rule for performing mathematical calculations, the Plane House owners and Pilots Affiliation “wings” brand, the trio of chronograph subdials and 24-hour time (enabled by the Breitling Manufacture Caliber B02). It’s a trustworthy replica of the unique, with an all-black dial and black alligator strap (or a seven-row stainless-steel bracelet).

However there are new options; notably, a premium platinum bezel, that makes this version much more of a collector’s piece and an open sapphire crystal case-back offering a window on the B02 motion. It additionally has bridge engravings to mark the event, with the phrases “Carpenter,” “Aurora 7,” and “3 orbits across the Earth,” together with the title of the unique group of seven astronauts chosen for NASA’s first human-crewed spaceflights, Mercury 7.

The primary Swiss wristwatch in area

The one different Swiss timepiece to have reached orbit beforehand was a pocket stopwatch outfitted with a strap. The Cosmonaute was not solely worn in area, however designed in accordance with an astronaut’s specs. It’s no surprise it went on to change into successful amongst collectors and different astronauts’ wrists. As a ultimate tribute, the caseback is engraved with the date of Carpenter’s mission, “ONE OF 362,” and the phrase “First Swiss wristwatch in area.”