Breitling Navitimer Cosmonaute

Introducing our Breitling Navitimer Cosmonaute , a symbol of space conquest and a collector’s watch that is elegant, functional and different.

Founded in 1884 by Léon Breitling, Breitling is a Swiss watchmaker with a long and rich history, closely linked to aviation. Renowned for creating precision instruments for pilots, Breitling has always been a benchmark in the world of aviation watchmaking.

Focused from the start on developing high-precision chronographs to meet the needs of pilots, Breitling chronographs became an indispensable tool in cockpits around the world thanks to their reliability and ease of use. Throughout its history, Breitling has been a pioneer in introducing new technologies and functions into its watches, developing chronographs with multiple counters, tachymeter scales and other complications that have enhanced the pilot experience.

One of the most iconic models that have left an indelible mark on watchmaking history is the Navitimer . Probably Breitling’s most famous model, the Navitimer is a true aviation legend as its circular slide rule allows complex calculations related to air navigation to be performed.

The Cosmonaut

The Breitling Navitimer Cosmonaute is a wristwatch that marked a milestone in the history of watchmaking and space exploration. In 1962, American astronaut Scott Carpenter wore a Navitimer Cosmonaute during his Mercury-Atlas 7 mission, making it the first Swiss chronograph to orbit the Earth.

Distinctive features:

• Based on the Navitimer: The Cosmonaute is based on Breitling’s iconic Navitimer, known for its circular slide rule for performing aerial navigation calculations.
• Manual movement: Unlike many modern models, the Cosmonaute uses a hand-wound mechanical movement, giving it a classic charm.
• Clear and legible dial: The Cosmonaute’s dial is designed to be easily readable in any lighting conditions, with large Arabic numerals and luminescent hands.
• Robust Case: The watch case is robust and sturdy, designed to withstand extreme space conditions.
• No date: A distinctive feature of the Cosmonaute is that it lacks a date display, which simplifies the design and makes it more legible.

The story behind the Cosmonaut:

The story of the Cosmonaute dates back to the 1960s, when Breitling was already a leader in the manufacture of chronographs for pilots. NASA, looking for a precise and reliable chronograph for its space missions, chose the Breitling Navitimer.

For the Mercury-Atlas 7 mission, Breitling developed a special version of the Navitimer, adapted to the needs of astronauts. Known as the Cosmonaute, this model was equipped with a hand-wound movement for greater reliability and a simplified dial for easier reading in microgravity conditions.

The Cosmonaut’s Legacy:

The Cosmonaute became a symbol of space conquest and a testament to Breitling’s ability to create precision instruments for the most demanding applications. Although production of the original Cosmonaute was discontinued, its legacy lives on and has inspired numerous reinterpretations of the model over the years.

Specific features of our watch:

• Movement: Manual winding
• Material: Steel and gold
• Case: Steel with 18K yellow gold bezel, screw-down crown and pushers
• Diameter: 42mm
• Dial: Black with 3 silver registers and slide rule
• Crystal: Sapphire
• Bracelet: Professional steel (916L) with double safety clasp
• Functions: 24-hour clock. Hours, minutes and seconds, chronograph up to 12 hours. Slide rule.
• Year: 80’s

The watch comes with the original box and a service sheet.