Breitling expands its permanent Navitimer collection with the introduction of the Navitimer B02 Chronograph 41 Cosmonaute, bringing one of the brand’s most historically significant chronographs into its regular lineup. Inspired by the watch developed for NASA astronaut Scott Carpenter, who wore a specially modified Navitimer during his Mercury-Atlas 7 orbital flight on May 24, 1962, the new Cosmonaute retains the distinctive 24-hour display originally designed for use in space. Featuring a 41mm stainless-steel case, a black reverse-panda dial and the historic Twin Jet logo, the watch is powered by the hand-wound manufacture caliber B02 and is now available as a non-limited production model.
The “Breitling Navitimer B02 Chronograph 41 Cosmonaute” is housed in a stainless-steel case measuring 41mm in diameter, 13mm thick and 47.09mm from lug to lug. Its traditional round architecture features elegantly curved lugs and a combination of polished surfaces, preserving the recognizable design of the Navitimer collection. A bi-directional rotating bezel incorporates Breitling’s signature circular slide rule, originally developed to help pilots perform calculations involving speed, distance and fuel consumption.
A screwed stainless-steel caseback incorporates a sapphire crystal window, providing a view of the hand-wound manufacture caliber B02. The transparent construction reveals the chronograph movement and its mechanical architecture, including the column-wheel mechanism and decorative finishing. The caseback also features the inscription “Certifié Chronomètre,” reflecting the movement’s COSC chronometer certification.
The non-screw-locked crown is positioned at 3 o’clock between two chronograph pushers, providing access to manual winding, time-setting and chronograph functions. The crown incorporates two gaskets, while a cambered sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both sides protects the dial. Water-resistance can reach up to 30 meters (98 feet).
The Navitimer B02 Chronograph 41 Cosmonaute features a black reverse-panda dial with contrasting white chronograph counters, recalling the appearance of the original space-oriented Navitimer introduced in 1962. The design incorporates a distinctive 24-hour scale with large Arabic numerals, allowing the wearer to distinguish between daytime and nighttime hours. A gold-colored Twin Jet logo appears beneath the 12 o’clock position, referencing the historic Breitling emblem associated with the Navitimer during the 1960s.
Unlike a conventional watch, the Cosmonaute’s hour hand completes one full rotation every 24 hours rather than every 12 hours. This unusual arrangement was developed at Scott Carpenter’s request, allowing astronauts to distinguish between morning and evening while orbiting Earth, where sunrise and sunset occur approximately every 90 minutes. The dial also incorporates three chronograph counters, displaying running seconds, elapsed minutes and elapsed hours. A date aperture is discreetly integrated into the lower subdial at 6 o’clock, preserving the symmetry of the overall design.
Super-LumiNova is applied to the hour and minute hands, Arabic numerals and hour indexes, providing visibility in low-light conditions. The luminous indications contrast with the black dial and white counters, while the gold Twin Jet emblem adds a subtle decorative element. The combination of the 24-hour display, peripheral slide-rule scales and chronograph indications maintains the technical character that has distinguished the Cosmonaute since its introduction.
Breitling Navitimer B02 Chronograph 41 Cosmonaute
The “Breitling Navitimer B02 Chronograph 41 Cosmonaute” (References below) is powered by the in-house manually wound mechanical movement, caliber B02 with 273 components and a frequency of 28,800 vph, or 4Hz. Measuring 30mm in diameter and 6.83mm thick, the COSC-certified chronometer incorporates a column-wheel chronograph with a vertical clutch, providing central chronograph seconds alongside 30-minute and 12-hour totalizers. Developed specifically for the Cosmonaute, the movement features a 24-hour time display, running seconds and a date indication integrated into the lower subdial. Power reserve can last up to approximately 70 hours, when fully wound.
Mounted on these watches are either a brown gradient calfskin leather strap or a seven-row stainless steel bracelet, depending on the selected configuration. The leather strap is secured by a folding clasp and provides a traditional appearance that complements the watch’s vintage-inspired design. Alternatively, the seven-row stainless steel bracelet offers a more integrated metallic appearance, recalling the classic Navitimer configurations of the 1960s.
(Ref#: AB0230211B1X1) - with Brown Gradient Calfskin Leather Strap
MSRP: $10,600.00 USD
(Ref#: AB0230211B1A1) - with Seven-Row Stainless Steel Bracelet
MSRP: $13,100.00 USD
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