The Breitling Navitimer Cosmonaute began as a space-adapted Navitimer requested by astronaut Scott Carpenter. Its defining change was a 24-hour dial: in orbit, where sunrise and sunset come quickly, a conventional 12-hour display made day and night harder to distinguish. Breitling says Carpenter wore the watch during his May 24, 1962 Mercury-Atlas 7 flight, and the brand currently lists both a standard Cosmonaute and a Scott Carpenter Centenary edition.
What is the Breitling Navitimer Cosmonaute?
The Cosmonaute is a Navitimer chronograph adapted for spaceflight. Carpenter, a Navitimer enthusiast, contacted Willy Breitling to request a watch for his mission. The design retained the Navitimer’s circular slide rule, which Carpenter wanted available for possible manual calculations, while adding practical changes for use with a spacesuit. Breitling recounts that the requested features included a stretch-style metal bracelet to fit over the suit, a bezel easier to grip while wearing gloves, and, most notably, a 24-hour display. Breitling’s Cosmonaute history
Why does the Cosmonaute have a 24-hour dial?
In orbit, the repeated passage between sunlight and darkness disrupts the ordinary visual cues people use to tell day from night. A 24-hour display lets the wearer read the time against a full day rather than treating the dial’s cycle as a 12-hour one. That was the central space-specific change Carpenter requested; the circular slide rule and glove-friendly details addressed other possible needs in flight.
What watch did Scott Carpenter wear in space?
Breitling says Carpenter wore a custom Navitimer Cosmonaute on Mercury-Atlas 7 on May 24, 1962, completing three orbits of Earth. The company describes it as the “first Swiss wristwatch in space”; that is Breitling’s historical claim. The design soon became known publicly as the Cosmonaute. Breitling’s account of its chronograph history
#1 Best Overall
- Swiss Made. Blue Dial with Black Sub-Dials, Date Feature and Slide Rule Feature
- Chronograph Feature: Large Central Chronograph Seconds Hand, 30 Minute Counter Sub-Dial at 3 O'Clock, 12 Hour Counter Sub-Dial at 6 O'Clock and Small Seconds Sub-Dial at 9 O'Clock
- Breitling Caliber 01, Self-winding Automatic Chronometer Movement (COSC Chronometer Certified)
- Polished Stainless Steel Case on Brown Crocodile Leather Strap, 43mm Case Diameter
- Cambered Scratch Resistant Sapphire Crystal Glareproofed on Both Sides
What happened to the original watch?
After splashdown in the Atlantic, the watch was damaged by saltwater. Breitling says Carpenter sent it back to Willy Breitling and received a replacement. The company says the original remained in the Breitling family archives, and that its damaged dial was not seen until 2022. Breitling’s Cosmonaute history
Which Breitling Cosmonaute models does the brand currently list?
Breitling’s current listings include a standard Navitimer B02 Chronograph 41 Cosmonaute and a limited Scott Carpenter Centenary edition. Their materials, presentation and stated availability differ; the specifications below are manufacturer-published, not independent measurements.
Rank #2
- Calibre Breitling 01 (Manufacture)
- Power reserve of over 70 hours.
- From the New 2018 Colllection
| Model | Reference and case | Dial and movement | Other stated details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Navitimer B02 Chronograph 41 Cosmonaute | PB02301A1B1A1; 41 mm stainless-steel-and-platinum case, 13 mm thick | Hand-wound manufacture B02 caliber; approximately 70-hour power reserve | Bidirectional slide-rule bezel, sapphire caseback, 3-bar (30 m) water resistance; chronograph counters for 30 minutes and 12 hours. Breitling U.S. product page |
| Navitimer B02 Chronograph 41 Cosmonaute Scott Carpenter Centenary | LB0240211C1P1; platinum case | Blue dial; hand-wound B02 movement; approximately 70-hour power reserve | White-gold folding clasp; limited to 50 pieces. Engravings commemorate Carpenter, capsule Aurora 7, three Earth orbits and Mercury 7; includes a replica name badge. Breitling’s UK page displayed GBP 38,700 when consulted in 2026. Breitling UK product page |
How should you interpret the editions and their prices?
The standard reference combines stainless steel and platinum, while the Centenary edition uses a platinum case and adds Carpenter-specific commemorative details. The 50-piece limit and GBP 38,700 price are stated on Breitling’s UK listing; price, VAT treatment and availability can vary by region and change over time. Breitling’s U.S. listing supplies the standard model’s technical specifications, while the UK Centenary listing supplies the commemorative edition’s details. Consult the relevant regional product page for current terms rather than treating one market’s displayed price as universal.
Quick Recap
Rank #3
- Model UB0121211F1A1
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
