On May 24th 1962, a replica hublot watches chronograph became the first wrist instrument to share in the conquest of space by accompanying the Aurora 7 flight. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of this historical feat, the brand is launching into orbit a new Navitimer Cosmonaute equipped with a high-performance Manufacture Breitling movement, entirely developed and produced in the company workshops.

This 1, 962 piece limited edition is breitling navitimer replica by its 24 hour display, its manual winding mode two nods to the original 1962 chronograph as well as the Aurora 7 mission insignia engraved on the caseback. Navitimer Cosmonaute. The legend continues.

Maiden space flight

The early 1960s were all about the space race breitling chronomat replica. The Americans launched the Mercury program intended to develop manned flights. They were looking for a high performance, accurate and reliable chronograph capable of withstanding exceptional conditions. With this in mind, they naturally turned to Breitling, the “official supplier to world aviation” and a privileged partner of the finest hours in aeronautical history.

The Navitimer, the cult pilot’s watch created in 1952, with its famous circular slide rule serving to perform all operations relating to airborne navigation, naturally asserted itself as the ideal instrument in taking up this challenge. It successfully passed all the required tests, and on May 24th 1962, Lt Commander Scott Carpenter orbited the earth three times aboard the Aurora 7 capsule.

On his wrist was a Navitimer equipped with a 24-hour graduated scale serving to distinguish day from night an absolute necessity in space. Mission accomplished. This was a major new token of recognition for Breitling, and this space conquest pioneer soon entered the brand’s collections under the name of Cosmonaute.