Navitimer Cosmonaute Ref. 809 Mark 1 - NAVITIMER/REF.809/MK1
Launch date
1962
Historic details
PRODUCTION SPAN: 1962

The "First Swiss wristwatch in space," manufactured according to astronaut Scott Carpenter's specifications. Breitling delivered the "astronaut-designed" prototype to Carpenter on May 18th, 1962. He then wore it as part of the Mercury-Atlas 7 mission on May 24th, 1962. As part of that mission aboard the Aurora 7 spacecraft, Carpenter and his Cosmonaute orbited the earth three times before returning to Earth and splashing down safely in the Atlantic.

Production of the Wide Bezel Navtimer Cosmonaute Mk1 began in late June 1962 in one limited production batch. A precise quantity of the assembled Mk1 isn't known, as the later Mk3 shared cases from the same production batch, but it is one of the rare icons of the brand.

Per Scott Carpenter's request, the dial was given a 24-hour display to help tell day from night in space. The Hour:Minutes track on the dials was also removed to enhance legibility. The hands set is unique to Mk1 and Mk2 Navtimer Cosmonaute with a lumed teardrop tip chrono sweep hand and a wide lumed syringe minute hand that is slightly longer than on the Navitimer Mk1 and Mk2. The bezel of the Navitimer Cosmonaute Mk1 is much wider than on other executions to allow for easy operation in space gloves.

Dials are glossy black with lumed 24h arabics and indexes, several logo variations were available, including applied golden wings both in "AOPA" and Breitling-branding, some without "Cosmonaute" on the dials


Caliber: Venus cal. 178, modified; WOG-coded
Case: tapered lugs, ca. 40mm diameter
Bezel: large beads, ca. 42.6mm diameter
Dial: 24h Black, monochrome slide rule
Hands: wide lumed syringe with unique minute hand, lumed teardrop tip chrono sweep
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