Developed in 1952 as a tool for aviators, the Navitimer combined a circular slide rule with a chronograph, enabling pilots to perform calculations with the twist of a bezel and track elapsed time at the press of a pusher. A decade later, Breitling adapted it for space flight at the request of early NASA astronaut Scott Carpenter.
Now available in hand-wound form, the Navitimer B02 Cosmonaute and the Navitimer B09 Chronograph reflect the spirit of the 1960s with the era-appropriate Twin Jet logo. Both models join the core collection, revisiting Breitling’s history, from the cockpit to the space capsule.
Navitimer B02 Chronograph 41 Cosmonaute
Under Willy Breitling, the Navitimer was reimagined for Carpenter’s pioneering Mercury- Atlas 7 orbital flight. The result was the Navitimer Cosmonaute with a distinguishing 24-hour display that provided a practical way to measure time beyond the cycle of day and night. When Carpenter wore it into orbit on May 24, 1962, the Cosmonaute became the first Swiss wristwatch to travel into space.
“Creating the Cosmonaute for the core collection is an important moment for Breitling,” says Jean-Marc Pontroué, CEO of Breitling. “This is a watch with an incredible history, but we don’t see it as something that belongs only to the past. The manual-wind 24-hour movement combined with the unmistakable Navitimer design set it apart from all other chronographs in our collection.”
The Navitimer B02 Chronograph 41 Cosmonaute brings original features to the modern collection. Its 41-mm stainless-steel case houses the manually wound Breitling Manufacture Caliber B02, a 24-hour chronograph movement used exclusively in the Cosmonaute. The date is discreetly integrated into the lower subdial, preserving the dial’s symmetry while matching its color for a subtle display.
Few watches illustrate how Breitling’s heritage has always been driven by purpose better than the Cosmonaute. At the request of Scott Carpenter, Willy Breitling developed a watch for a completely new environment and created a 24-hour display for the astronaut's mission. Bringing this historically significant watch into the core collection means everyone can now create their own story with it.
The Cosmonaute is available with either a hand-applied brown gradient calfskin-leather strap with folding clasp or a seven-row stainless-steel bracelet with contrasting satin and polished finishing.
Navitimer B09 Chronograph 41
The Navitimer B09 Chronograph 41 is the first core collection Navitimer powered by the manual- wind caliber B09. Previous executions with the B09 were reserved for limited editions or special commemorative timepieces, the most recent being the Navitimer Tribute to Miles Davis. This new iteration is inspired by the 1960s watch worn by race car drivers Jim Clark and Graham Hill, who also flew aircraft and understood how useful the Navitimer’s slide rule and chronograph would be on the track.
The 41-mm case houses either a black or blue dial with contrasting white subdials (the "reverse panda" design) and the signature circular slide rule. Omitting a date and including the manual- wind caliber enable a slimmer case profile that combines with the 41-mm case diameter to give the watch proportions reminiscent of the historic originals.
The black dial is paired with a hand-applied brown gradient calf-leather strap, and the blue dial comes on a matching blue gradient calf-leather strap. These straps feature a folding clasp with release buttons. Both models can also be fitted with a seven-row stainless-steel bracelet.
Manual Wind and Modern Performance
Manual-wind chronographs occupy a special place in Breitling’s history. Before automatic chronographs were introduced in 1969, winding a mechanical chronograph was part of a daily ritual. These new models bring that interaction to the core collection with modern manufacture movements and contemporary specifications.
“The Navitimer has always evolved with the people who wear it,” says Georges Kern, CEO of House of Brands. “The B09 brings the look and feel of the classic 1960s Navitimer into the modern collection, and the Cosmonaute tells the story of how the Navitimer went from the cockpit to space. These modern-retro pieces show just how much history is built into the Navitimer collection.”
Twin Jet Logo
Used by Breitling since 1957, the Twin Jet logo made its dial-side debut on the Navitimer in 1965. As the civilian counterpart to the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) logo, which was used in the models retailed directly to their members. Its association with Breitling’s most recognizable watch eventually made it a defining part of the brand’s visual identity. Both the Navitimer B09 Chronograph and Navitimer B02 Cosmonaute feature the Twin Jet logo in gold, letting it stand out against a monochrome dial.
A Chapter for the Navitimer
The Navitimer B02 Chronograph 41 Cosmonaute and Navitimer B09 Chronograph 41 share a common origin: the aviation instrument Breitling created in 1952. But they each take that story in a different direction.
The B09 harks back to the era of the classic mechanical chronograph and brings manual winding and reverse-panda styling to the contemporary 41-mm Navitimer. The Cosmonaute recalls the moment Breitling adapted that aviation expertise for a new frontier, creating the first Swiss wristwatch in space.
For the first time in modern Breitling history, neither of these iconic models are reserved for a commemoration or limited release. Instead, they both become permanent members of the Navitimer family.
