Space Race: Breitling Honors Early Astronaut Scott Carpenter and the First Swiss Watch to Go into Space

Before the Omega Speedmaster became the official “Moon Watch” of NASA, some US astronauts opted to wear their personal wristwatches into space; some wore none at all.

While NASA issued a very nice 24-hour LeCoultre watch to Mercury astronauts (a modified black-dial version of the existing Quartermaster model with a steel bracelet made in the US), some of the first Americans in space just skipped wearing a watch altogether (like Alan Shepard and Gus Grissom). Meanwhile, John Glen opted for a large wrist-worn Heuer stopwatch as a backup to in-flight timing instruments.

However, for his Mercury mission on May 24, 1962, Navy Lt. Commander Scott Carpenter chose a custom 24-hour Breitling Navitimer Cosmonaute. This makes him the first person to wear a Swiss-made wristwatch into space, period. It also makes Breitling the first watch brand to orbit the Earth three times.

Other timepieces were worn on succeeding Mercury and Gemini missions (most notably Bulova’s Accutron Astronaut watch), before NASA’s Omega-winning test program concluded in 1965. But, hey, first is first.

No one knows all the reasons behind Carpenter’s choice to ask Breitling for a Navitimer-style timepiece with a wider bezel for gloved operation and a stretch-adjustable metal bracelet to fit over a space suit.

However, if I had to guess why he chose the brand, I feel pretty confident in saying that, as an ace naval aviator, Carpenter probably had the same technical fondness for Breitling pilot watches shared by many, many combat pilots throughout history. Thus, requesting a bespoke piece with a 24-hour dial from such a trusted brand seems like the natural choice for a Navy aviator preparing to become the fourth American in space.
 

As to why he selected the Cosmonaute model specifically, for my money, he probably chose it because he liked it, was already familiar with the Navitimer, and NASA allowed him to use it.

I can hear many of you now saying that there is no way NASA would have allowed one of their astronauts to use a watch named the Cosmonaute during the Cold War. However, what you have to remember is that the watchmaker registered the model name in 1961, when the term “astronaut” was only beginning to be officially used.

The watchmaker’s then-head, Willy Breitling, couldn’t resist the challenges Carpenter presented, and the wristwatch was delivered just days before the Mercury-Atlas Seven mission’s lift-off.
 

Interestingly, the Cosmonaute model Carpenter wore was damaged at splashdown when the capsule landed off-course. Thus, despite making three successful orbits in space, a little bit of salt water seeped in and corroded the dial as the astronaut awaited aid.

Breitling replaced the watch but kept the original in its archives, and it still makes the occasional appearance at Breitling events (most recently at the maker’s pop-up 140th anniversary museum in Zürich).

The new Breitling Navitimer B02 Chronograph 41 Cosmonaute Scott Carpenter Centenary is a gleaming, platinum (literally) tribute to the astronaut, the history of space exploration, and the brand’s uncannily profound connection to ground-breaking aviation at all levels.

“Breitling has been part of some of the most important moments in watchmaking, but sending the first Swiss wristwatch into space is one of our proudest achievements,” said Breitling CEO Georges Kern in a press release for the 50-piece limited edition. “Willy Breitling didn’t hesitate when Scott Carpenter asked for a watch built for space; he made it happen. That spirit – being innovative, taking risks, pushing limits – is how we still operate today.”
 

The 41mm platinum timepiece features the same 24-hour dial display designed for space travel but uses Breitling’s modern COSC-certified manufacture Caliber B02 chronograph movement in a hand-wound version (visible through the caseback). Fun Fact: Automatic movements don’t particularly like zero gravity.

With its deep blue dial, complex slide-rule bezel, classic mushroom pushers, and white triple sub-dial chrono design (with an integrated date window at 6 o’clock), this limited edition presents like a particularly gleaming Navitimer.

However, there are several subtle nods to the legendary astronaut and his missions to be found: Engraved bridges carry the name “Carpenter,” his capsule name “Aurora 7,” the Mercury-Atlas Seven’s mission goal of “3 orbits around the Earth,” and the NASA team name of “Mercury 7.”
 

Meanwhile, additional engravings honor the “First Swiss wristwatch on space” message, a “One of 50” series designation, as well as the centenary honorific of “Scott Carpenter Centenary 1925-2025.”

In addition, the winged logo of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) appears at 12 o’clock, and a long-standing official relationship that speaks volumes about the brand’s dedication to aviation.
 

On a color-matched blue alligator strap with a white-gold clasp and presented in gorgeous wooden box with a replica of the Mercury 7 name badge Carpenter wore on his space suit, the new Navitimer B02 Chronograph 41 Cosmonaute Scott Carpenter Centenary ($42,000) is for a gorgeous platinum timepiece that carries a great deal of history and commemoration along on whatever far-flung trip you’ll ever plan to make.

Find out more via Breitling’s website.