Sixty-three years ago, on May 24, 1962, Scott Carpenter made history as the second American to orbit the Earth. Aboard NASA’s Mercury-Atlas 7 mission, he carried a unique companion on his wrist: a custom-built Breitling Navitimer. This extraordinary timepiece, modified specifically for the rigours of space, marked a pivotal moment, becoming the first Swiss wristwatch to leave our planet’s atmosphere.
In honour of Scott Carpenter’s birth on May 1, 1925, Breitling is paying tribute to the pioneering astronaut with a highly exclusive release: the Navitimer B02 Chronograph 41 Cosmonaute Scott Carpenter Centenary. Limited to just 50 pieces, this platinum edition is a meticulously crafted homage to the man and a mission that pushed the boundaries of human exploration.
Carpenter’s original request to Breitling’s then-head, Willy Breitling, highlighted the practical demands of spaceflight. He needed a watch with a wider bezel for gloved hands, a stretch-metal bracelet to fit over his bulky spacesuit and most crucially, a 24-hour dial. In an environment where the sun rises and sets every 90 minutes, a standard 12-hour display would prove disorienting. Willy Breitling rose to the challenge, delivering the “Cosmonaute” just days before lift-off.
The new centenary edition captures the essence of that original, infusing it with modern luxury and historical detail. Its deep blue dial evokes the mesmerising view of Earth from orbit, a vivid contrast to the crisp white slide rule, reminiscent of swirling cloud cover. The same striking blue extends to the alligator-leather strap, secured by a white-gold folding buckle. Even the iconic winged logo of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) finds its place at 12 o’clock, a nod to the Navitimer’s enduring legacy as a pilot’s instrument.
Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the watch is powered by the Breitling Manufacture Caliber B02, a manual chronograph movement. This choice isn’t just a nod to the original hand-wound timepiece; it also reflects a design philosophy that prioritises reliability in extreme conditions, where automatic movements might falter. Visible through a sapphire crystal caseback, the COSC-certified movement boasts an impressive 70-hour power reserve. Intricate engravings on the bridge further immortalise Carpenter’s legacy, bearing inscriptions such as “Carpenter,” his capsule “Aurora 7,” “3 orbits around the Earth,” and the legendary “Mercury 7.” Additional caseback details confirm its exclusivity and historical significance.
The story of Carpenter’s original Cosmonaute is equally compelling. Though it survived the journey into space, it suffered damage upon splashdown, as saltwater corroded the dial during Carpenter’s three-hour wait for rescue in the Atlantic. This original, though damaged, remained untouched in Breitling’s archives for decades, only resurfacing for public display in 2022 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the mission. Its corroded dial now bears an almost otherworldly resemblance to a distant planetary surface – a poignant artefact from the dawn of space exploration.
The release of the Navitimer B02 Chronograph 41 Cosmonaute Scott Carpenter Centenary is more than just a new watch; it’s a tangible link to a heroic past. It celebrates the audacious spirit of innovation that propelled humanity into space and the enduring partnership between a visionary astronaut and a groundbreaking watchmaker. With only 50 pieces available, this limited edition is poised to become a highly sought-after collector’s item, embodying a piece of both horological and space history.
