n 1962, Mercury Seven astronaut Scott Carpenter approached Breitling with a unique request: to modify the Navitimer’s design for space exploration. Admiring its computational prowess, Carpenter asked for a 24-hour dial to distinguish day from night in orbit. Breitling met the challenge, and the customised Navitimer, later dubbed the Cosmonaute, accompanied Carpenter on his May 24, 1962, mission to become the first Swiss wristwatch in space.

To mark Breitling’s 140th anniversary, it is releasing a limited edition of the 24-hour timepiece. This time, however, the main modification isn’t for zero-g but for everyday life: a self-winding chronograph movement, the Breitling manufacture caliber B12.

The new release is limited to 250 pieces and only available through Breitling’s online and in-store boutiques. It features an 18k red-gold case, beautifully complemented by its deep green dial, golden numerals, and black alligator leather strap.

Flip the watch to see the open caseback view of the contrasting oscillating weight capping the B12 movement. The manufacture caliber provides approximately 70 hours of power and comes with a 5-year warranty. A caseback engraving states the “One of 250” limitation and reveals the watch’s incredible story: “First Swiss Wristwatch in Space/Navitimer Cosmonaute May 24,1962.” Inspired by astronauts, adapted for life on Earth, the new Cosmonaute limited edition merges storied heritage with modern ease of wear.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

REFERENCE RB12302A1L1P1

MOVEMENT

• CALIBER Breitling Manufacture Caliber B12
• DIAMETER 30.4 millimeters
• DEPTH 7.33 millimeters
• WINDER self-winding mechanical, bidirectional with ball bearing
• POWER RESERVE approx. 70 hours
• NUMBER OF COMPONENTS 332
• BALANCE FREQUENCY 28,800 a/h or 4 hertz
• CHRONOGRAPH column-wheel, vertical clutch, 1/4th second, 30-minute and 12-hour totalisers
• DISPLAY hour, minute, second, date window
• CERTIFICATION COSC-certified

CASE

• MATERIAL 18 k red gold
• DIAMETER 41 millimeters
• THICKNESS 13.6 millimeters
• HEIGHT (upper lug tip to lower lug tip): 47.09 millimetres
• WATER RESISTANCE up to 3 bar (30 meters)
• GLASS cambered sapphire, glareproofed on both sides screwed 18 k red gold, sapphire crystal
• CASEBACK non-screw-locked, two gaskets
• BEZEL bidirectional with circular slide rule

DIAL / HANDS Green with contrasting chronograph counters Super-LumiNova luminescent hour and minute hand

STRAP Black alligator leather strap with an 18 k red-gold folding buckle