Of all the professions in existence, few are as unforgiving as astronautics, a field that Breitling boldly ventured into in 1962. The Swiss haute horologist’s decision to engage with space exploration has proven to be a long but rewarding journey. Now recognised as its forté, the Navitimer Cosmonaute welcomes a groundbreaking addition in the form of the Navitimer B02 Chronograph 41 Cosmonaute Artemis II. The stunning timepiece, which made its debut in April, captures the brand’s historical achievements and continued devotion to space explorations.
Upon first glance, it becomes clear that the Navitimer B02 Chronograph 41 Cosmonaute Artemis II is no ordinary watch. Limited to 450 pieces, the direct descendant of the Navitimer Cosmonaute commemorates a remarkable feat in space exploration. With a dial that is made from galaxy-blue meteorite, a first for the Navitimer Cosmonaute collection, each timepiece bears a unique extraterrestrial pattern that cannot be found anywhere else. In the words of CEO Georges Kern, the design choice “reflects the same curiosity about the unknown,” akin to space exploration, a field that Breitling has dedicated itself to since 1962. This sense of curiosity pushes the watch beyond pure luxury, framing it instead as a reminder of the vast universe.
On 24 May 1962, the Navitimer Cosmonaute became the first Swiss watch to enter space. Commissioned by Mercury Seven astronaut Scott Carpenter, the groundbreaking timepiece joined him in orbiting the Earth before once again landing at sea. Though the damage was irreversible due to saltwater exposure, the Navitimer Cosmonaute’s impact was everlasting and triggered Breitling’s long-lasting endeavours in space. After Scott Carpenter’s mission, the haute horologist’s novelties were worn by American astronaut John Glenn, Gemini 4 and Apollo 9 mission commander James McDivitt, France’s first woman in space Claudie André-Deshays, and more. This lineage of pioneering wearers reinforces the Navitimer Cosmonaute’s reputation as not merely a watch, but a trusted companion and useful tool in some of humanity’s most daring journeys.
The shared adoration for the Navitimer Cosmonaute stems from its unique functionalities that meet the high demands of space travel. The journey begins with the bidirectional bezel with circular slide rule, which acts as a compact flight computer that aids astronauts in making in-flight calculations. The stainless steel case, whose border is reminiscent of the 1962 Navitimer Cosmonaute, spans 41 mm in diameter. Though its durability is tried and tested in space, the new timepiece also has water resistance of up to 30 metres in depth. Such features highlight Breitling’s commitment to practicality, ensuring that the watch remains as functional as it is visually striking.
Distinguishing between day and night continues to be a critical aspect in the development of the Navitimer B02 Chronograph 41 Cosmonaute Artemis II. While day and night are easily distinguished on Earth based on sunlight, such distinction is less clear in space, where the sun appears to “set” every 90 minutes. As part of its appeal, the Cosmonaute’s 24-hour dial makes it easy for astronauts to tell the time that aligns with mission control. At the heart of the dial lies the iconic AOPA wings logo, with the wings spread out above the three subdial chronographs. This edition also marks the first Cosmonaute to be adorned with the galaxy-blue meteorite dial, evoking a depth that mimics the endless cosmos. Its deep blue tone is contrasted by white hour indexes and markers, which glow brightly with luminescence in low-light conditions thanks to Super-LumiNova®.
The splendour of the 1962 Navitimer Cosmonaute remains intact in Breitling’s latest invention. While the original bore a stretch-style metal strap equipped with undeniable appeal, the 2026 reissue features a lavish alligator leather strap. The depth of its blue tone not only brings out the exotic texture, but also highlights the detailed white stitching, which leads directly to the stainless steel folding buckle. A quick unbuckling of the watch from one’s wrist instantly reveals the open case back, which uncovers the secrets of the haute horologist’s exemplary technology: the Breitling Manufacture Calibre B02.
Assembled from 273 components and 39 jewels, the COSC-certified movement gives the watch a 66-hour power reserve. As the hand-wound movement oscillates at a frequency of 4 Hz, the Artemis II mission logo stays in place at the centre of the sapphire crystal, similar to the “Artemis II” and “One of 450” labels engraved onto the stainless steel case. This meticulous attention to both external design and internal mechanics is a testament of Breitling’s dedication to excellence, ensuring that every detail serves a purpose while contributing to the watch’s overall vision.
Breitling’s current impact is only made possible thanks to the seed that was planted by watchmaking devotee, Leon Breitling. Established in 1884, the Swiss luxury watchmaker rapidly produced high quality timepieces that were appreciated by the masses, marking its 100,000 units a mere 26 years following its establishment. As the haute horologist’s reputation grew, Breitling tapped into a myriad of fields that required highly technical precision instruments, such as aviation, aquanautics and astronautics. In addition to the iconic Navitimer, the brand is also highly sought out for the Superocean, Chronomat, and Avenger collections. Apart from professionals in respective fields, Breitling’s timepieces have also won the hearts of the public and have been seen on the wrists of Charlize Theron, Leonardo DiCaprio, Erling Haaland, and other equally notable figures, thus signalling the brand’s continued relevance in a rapidly evolving
industry.
