The Breitling Navitimer B02 Chronograph 41 Cosmonaute Limited Edition celebrates the manufacturer’s connection to spaceflight. Today, Breitling is celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Mercury Atlas 7 mission, during which astronaut Scott Carpenter wore a special Navitimer on his wrist as he circled the Earth three times. In fact, since May 24, 1962, Breitling has officially won the title of “the first Swiss space watch”. Carpenter’s watches are modified aviation chronographs that offer a 24-hour display, allowing astronauts to distinguish between day and night. Now Breitling has launched a modern update, limited to 362 pieces. At the same time, the brand also launched the Astronaut’s original Cosmonaute and presented the severely damaged watch to a selected audience.
With this special edition, Breitling hopes to highlight the link between Swiss watchmaking and the conquest of space. However, the watch is also attacking Omega’s dominance in the subject area, which is no problem for Breitling CEO George Kern. He said: “We’re not going to attack anyone. […] We’re only doing this because this watch is so historically significant: it was and remains the first Swiss watch to go into space.
The case is (almost) similar to the original
The case of the fake Breitling Navitimer B02 Chronograph 41 Cosmonaute Limited Edition remains faithful to the prototype. The body is stainless steel, but Breitling outfitted this special edition with a platinum bezel. This is also the most obvious difference from the original Cosmonaute. The new bezel features a grooved design for improved maneuverability. The watch measures 41mm in diameter, 13mm in height and features satin and polished surfaces.
On the side are the chronograph pushers and crown. The latter is not screwed, which is why the watch is only guaranteed to be water resistant to 3 bar or 30 meters. There is a window on the back of the case to view the mechanism. Around the crystal, Breitling also engraved Carpenter’s mission date, a limited edition of 362 pieces, and the words “the first Swiss watch into space”.
Dial with 24-hour display
The dial has a 24-hour display that distinguishes between day and night. Arabic numerals with rectangular hour markers, all with vintage Super-LumiNova. The white main hands are also illuminated, so they are clearly legible even in the dark.
The dial is surrounded by a tachymeter scale, which, along with a white slide rule, can be used for simple calculations. As an aviation chronograph, the wing logo of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) appears on the dial at 12 o’clock. Last but not least, there is a small seconds hand at 9 o’clock, while the totalizers are located at 3 and 6 o’clock. A date window is also included with its black numerals integrated into the 12-hour counter at 6 o’clock.
Homemade chronograph movement B02
Inside is the buy cheap watch is a B02 manufacture movement with manual winding. In the version used here, the hour hand completes only one revolution per day instead of two to enable the 24-hour display. The movement has a power reserve of 70 hours and operates at 4 Hz.
It also integrates a chronograph that uses a column wheel. At the same time, the vertical clutch ensures that the needle starts smoothly. The COSC certificate, which guarantees the corresponding accuracy, also demonstrates the performance of the mechanism. On this watch, the movement has many decorations that allude to the Mercury 7 mission. In addition, Carpenter’s name is engraved on the metal.
The Breitling Navitimer B02 Chronograph 41 Cosmonaute Limited Edition comes with a seven-row Navitimer stainless steel bracelet. Alternatively, there is a black alligator strap with a folding clasp.
feature
brand Breitling
Model Navitimer B02 Chronograph 41 Cosmonaute Limited Edition
Reference PB02301A1B1A1 (steel strap)
PB02301A1B1P1 (crocodile leather strap)
Case material Stainless steel, platinum bezel
Aspects Diameter: 41mm
Height: 13mm
Water resistance 3 bar (~30 m)
dial black
Strap/Bracelet Seven-row Navitimer stainless steel bracelet with folding clasp
or
Black alligator leather strap with folding clasp
Mobile B02
Movement type Hand wound
Power reserve 70 hours
Frequency 28,800 times/hour (4 Hz)
Functions Hours, minutes, small seconds, chronograph, slide rule, date
