Breitling Navitimer Cosmonaute
About This Watch
The Breitling Navitimer Cosmonaute is a faithful re-edition of the legendary 1962 timepiece that became the first Swiss wristwatch worn in space, aboard the Aurora 7 capsule piloted by astronaut Scott Carpenter. The defining feature of the Cosmonaute is its 24-hour dial — requested by Carpenter himself because in orbit, with sunrise and sunset occurring every 90 minutes, a conventional 12-hour dial was useless for distinguishing day from night. The 2022 re-edition faithfully recreates this distinctive 24-hour display while updating the heart of the watch with the B12 caliber, a hand-wound version of the B01 chronograph movement. At 41mm, it is noticeably smaller than the standard Navitimer B01 43mm, creating a more vintage-proportioned package that wears beautifully on the wrist. The hand-wound movement eliminates the need for a rotor, resulting in a thinner profile and a more engaging ownership experience — the ritual of daily winding connects the wearer to horological tradition. The Cosmonaute is not just a watch; it is a tribute to the pioneering era of space exploration and a reminder that Breitling's history extends far beyond aviation into the cosmos itself.
In-Depth Review
# Breitling Navitimer Cosmonaute Editorial
When Breitling designed the original Navitimer Cosmonaute in 1962, they created something genuinely purposeful: a chronograph specifically calibrated for space exploration, complete with a 24-hour dial that prevented the confusion of AM/PM timing in orbital mechanics. The new B12019171B1P1 honors that lineage while modernizing the formula with Breitling's in-house B12 caliber, a robust manual-wind movement offering an impressive 70-hour power reserve. At 41mm in stainless steel with a black dial, slide-rule bezel, and refined sapphire crystal, this is a watch that balances legible tool-watch aesthetics with genuine mechanical sophistication. The 24-hour complication remains more than nostalgic flourish—it's genuinely useful for professionals who operate across multiple time zones or non-standard schedules.
The Cosmonaute appeals to a specific collector: someone who values chronographic function beyond marketing narrative, appreciates Swiss watchmaking heritage, and wants equipment that works equally well in the boardroom or the field. Pilots, engineers, and serious enthusiasts gravitate toward this model because its complications serve actual purposes rather than filling dial real estate. The brown alligator leather strap adds unexpected warmth to the tool-watch aesthetic, making it more versatile than typical sport chronographs.
At roughly $7,500 on the secondary market, the Navitimer Cosmonaute sits in direct competition with Tudor's Black Bay Chronograph and Longines' Avigation BigEye. While the Tudor offers sportier presence and broader availability, and the Longines provides Zenith movement cachet at comparable pricing, the Breitling's proprietary caliber and specialized 24-hour
Specifications
Movement
| Movement Type | Manual |
|---|---|
| Caliber | Breitling B12 |
| Power Reserve | 70 hours |
| Frequency | 28,800 vph |
| Jewels | 46 |
Case
| Case Diameter | 41.0mm |
|---|---|
| Case Thickness | 13.6mm |
| Case Material | Stainless Steel |
| Crystal | Sapphire with anti-reflective coating |
| Bezel | Bidirectional rotating, slide rule |
| Dial Color | Black |
| Lug Width | 22mm |
| Lug-to-Lug | 48.0mm |
Features
| Water Resistance | 30m / 98ft |
|---|---|
| Bracelet/Strap | Brown alligator leather strap |
| Clasp | Folding clasp |
| Weight | 85g |
| Complications |