Breitling has unveiled an exclusive 50-piece platinum Navitimer Cosmonaute to commemorate what would have been astronaut Scott Carpenter’s 100th birthday. The timepiece pays homage to a historic moment in both space exploration and horology—the first Swiss wristwatch to journey into orbit.
A Historic Mission and a Custom Timepiece
On 24 May 1962, Carpenter became the second American to orbit Earth aboard NASA’s Mercury-Atlas 7 mission. Strapped to his wrist was a specially modified Breitling Navitimer, designed for zero-gravity conditions. The watch featured a 24-hour dial, a stretch-metal bracelet to fit over his spacesuit, and an enlarged bezel for easier operation with gloved hands—all adjustments Carpenter personally requested. Breitling’s then-leader, Willy Breitling, ensured the watch was ready just days before liftoff.
The Centenary Tribute: A Modern Homage
Six decades later, Breitling honors this legacy with the Navitimer B02 Chronograph 41 Cosmonaute Scott Carpenter Centenary. The watch is powered by the manually wound B02 caliber, mirroring the original’s 24-hour display. A sapphire caseback reveals the movement, engraved with tributes to Carpenter, his Aurora 7 capsule, and the Mercury 7 astronaut team.
The dial evokes Earth as seen from space—a deep blue base representing the planet, paired with a white slide rule reminiscent of swirling clouds. A matching blue alligator leather strap completes the design, fastened with a white-gold clasp. The watch arrives in a wooden presentation box alongside a replica of Carpenter’s Mercury 7 name badge.
A Legacy of Innovation
Breitling CEO Georges Kern reflected on the collaboration: “When Scott Carpenter asked for a watch built for space, Willy Breitling didn’t hesitate—he made it happen. That same spirit of innovation, risk-taking, and boundary-pushing still drives us today.”
The original Cosmonaute suffered water damage during Carpenter’s ocean splashdown and spent decades untouched in Breitling’s archives before resurfacing in 2022. Recently displayed at the brand’s 140th-anniversary exhibition in Zurich, its corroded dial now bears an otherworldly patina—a silent testament to its extraordinary journey.
This limited-edition release not only celebrates Carpenter’s pioneering spirit but also underscores Breitling’s enduring commitment to precision and adventure.
