In 1962, astronaut Scott Carpenter approached Breitling with a request: a special Navitimer featuring a 24-hour dial for his orbital flight aboard the Aurora 7 spacecraft. The result became the first Swiss wristwatch in space. More than six decades later, the Cosmonaute remains part of space exploration’s story. To honor its past and future, Breitling launches a new limited edition: the Navitimer B02 Chronograph 41 Cosmonaute Artemis II, featuring a striking galaxy-blue meteorite dial. A piece of space brought to the wrist, every dial is unique.
For over 70 years, the Navitimer has taken on many roles, from essential pilots’ tool to cultural icon. This year, Navitimer Stories will bring these chapters to light across aviation, lifestyle, and technical savoir faire, showing why this remarkable timepiece remains as relevant today as ever.
On May 24, 1962, Mercury 7 astronaut Scott Carpenter orbited Earth three times wearing his custom Navitimer. Carpenter had known the pilot’s chronograph from his days of flight training and trusted the functionality of its computational slide rule. Designed to his specifications, Carpenter’s version, later named the Navitimer Cosmonaute, featured a 24-hour display to distinguish day from night in orbit.
The 24-hour chronograph that stands apart
A true Navitimer at heart, the Cosmonaute retains all the signature elements of the aviation icon: the circular slide rule for calculations, the AOPA wings logo, and the three-subdial chronograph layout. What sets it apart is its 24-hour display, powered by the Manufacture Caliber B02. Developed for spaceflight, the dial aligns with mission-control time to keep day and night unambiguous in orbit where the sun rises and sets roughly every 90 minutes.
The watch recalls the original Cosmonaute with its classic proportions and 41 mm case. It features a galaxy-blue meteorite dial, a first for the Cosmonaute, paired with a black slide rule, red chronograph seconds hand, and red accents. It’s fitted on a dial-matching blue alligator strap.
A legacy worn beyond Earth
While several brands claim milestones in space exploration, only Breitling can state it produced the first Swiss wristwatch worn in orbit. It was the first purpose-built wristwatch for spaceflight, later released to the public in the same configuration requested by Carpenter.
The Cosmonaute’s connection to space did not end with its first flight. Over the decades, Breitling watches have continued to appear on the wrists of astronauts and spacefarers alike.
About Breitling
Founded in 1884, Breitling is a leading Swiss watchmaker. The innovative company invented the modern chronograph and pioneered the navigational tool watch. Today, it is still breaking new ground as a casual, approachable, and sustainable luxury brand with more than 280 industrial loft-inspired retail locations around the world.
Breitling’s collections center around air, land, and sea pursuits, all captured in the brand’s unmistakable modern-retro style. The exceptional quality of every watch movement is confirmed by its status as a COSC-certified chronometer, and the brand remains one of only a handful of independent watchmakers to produce its own manufacture calibers.
Facts About the Watch
Navitimer B02 Chronograph 41 Cosmonaute Artemis II
Reference: AB02307A1C1P1
Watch Movement
- Caliber: Breitling Manufacture Caliber B02
- Diameter: 30 mm
- Depth: 6.83 mm
- Winder: Mechanical hand-wound
- Power reserve: approx. 66 hours
- Components: 273
- Frequency: 28,800 a/h (4 Hz)
- Chronograph: column-wheel, vertical clutch
- Certification: COSC-certified
- Jewels: 39
Case
- Material: Stainless steel
- Diameter: 41 mm
- Thickness: 13 mm
- Water resistance: 3 bars
- Glass: Sapphire, glareproofed
- Bezel: Bidirectional with slide rule
Dial
Galaxy-blue meteorite dial with luminescent indexes and hands.
Strap
Blue alligator leather strap with stainless-steel folding buckle.
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