Breitling Celebrates the Artemis II Mission With the Limited Navitimer Cosmonaute Artemis II

Summary

• Breitling has dropped a limited-edition Navitimer B02 Chronograph 41 Cosmonaute to commemorate the Artemis II mission, featuring a galaxy-blue meteorite dial and a distinct 24-hour display
• Capped at just 450 pieces globally, the timepiece boasts an embossed Artemis II mission logo on its exhibition caseback and retails for $11,900

Following the successful splashdown of NASA‘s highly anticipated lunar flyby mission, Breitling officially unveiled the Navitimer B02 Chronograph 41 Cosmonaute Artemis II. This release serves as a massive cultural flex for the Swiss watchmaker, reviving a spacefaring legacy that began when the Cosmonaute became the first Swiss wristwatch in space during the 1962 Mercury-Atlas 7 mission. Reclaiming its spot among the stars, Breitling scored a major organic marketing win when all four crew members were spotted wearing the chronograph alongside their government-issued NASA gear.

The watch centers around a 41mm stainless steel case measuring 13mm thick and 47.09mm lug-to-lug, staying true to the vintage proportions of the original model. Its standout visual feature is the unique blue meteorite dial. Cut from genuine extraterrestrial stone composed of iron and nickel, the dial is acid-etched to reveal a natural Widmanstätten pattern. Because of this organic crystalline structure, no two pieces are exactly identical. This marks only the second time the brand has utilized meteorite in its lineup, following last year’s Erling Haaland Signature Chronomat. The deep blue face is contrasted by a black circular slide rule bezel and red chronograph accents.

Under the hood, the timepiece is powered by the Breitling Manufacture Caliber B02. This COSC-certified manual-wind movement features a column-wheel and vertical clutch architecture, delivering a robust 70-hour power reserve. Operating at 28,800 vibrations per hour, the mechanism is visible through a sapphire exhibition caseback finished with Rhodium plating and Geneva stripes. True to Cosmonaute heritage, the watch utilizes a 24-hour dial layout. Astronaut Scott Carpenter specifically requested this display in the early 1960s to help distinguish day from night while orbiting Earth—a practical tool that remains functional for modern spaceflights.

The special edition is secured on a blue alligator leather strap with a stainless steel folding clasp. Mission-specific engravings wrap around the steel ring of the open caseback, prominently displaying the mission logo alongside individual numbering. Limited to a tight production run of 450 units, the watch reinforces the label’s deep-rooted aviation and aerospace history. Commemorating the Artemis II mission, the chronograph is currently available through official brand boutiques and authorized retailers, carrying a retail price of $11,900 USD.