Breitling Marks 60th Anniversary of First Swiss Watch in Space With New Cosmonaute
Also revealing the historic space-worn watch for the first time since 1962.
Breitling has released a contemporary take on its historic Cosmonaute, on the 60th anniversary of the Navitimer variant becoming the first Swiss watch to travel in space.
As well as revealing a limited edition modern tribute, Breitling also revealed Carpenter’s space-worn Cosmonaute for the first time.
The first Cosmonaute was created at the request of astronaut Scott Carpenter ahead of his 1962 mission aboard the Aurora 7 spacecraft. A fan of watches, Carpenter approached then-Breitling owner Willy Breitling, asking for a Navitimer with a 24-hour dial to distinguish night from day while in space.
Carpenter’s own Navitimer Cosmonaute was irreparably damaged by exposure to seawater during the three-hour retrieval of the Aurora 7 space capsule and remained in the Breitling family archives in original, unrestored condition until today.
The modern watch features a 41mm stainless steel case and seven-row bracelet with a platinum bezel. The watch’s B02 chronograph movement is visible through a sapphire crystal caseback, revealing the words ‘Carpenter,’ ‘Aurora 7,’ ‘3 orbits around the Earth’ and the names of the seven Mercury 7 astronauts engraved on its bridges.
The Navitimer Cosmonaute is out now as a 362-piece limited edition, one for each circumnavigation of the Earth performed during Carpenter’s mission via Breitling, priced $11,200 USD.
Elsewhere in watches, rare Tornek-Rayville Navy SEALs watch comes up for auction.
