Lot 203

Breitling

Navitimer Cosmonaute

A rare and very attractive vintage pilots's chronograph with 24h indication and slide rule function via bidirectional rotating bezel

The Cosmonaute reference 809 is, by its very nature, the epitome of the Breitling chronograph with 24-hour display –launched in 1952, it soon became one of the most popular aviators’ chronographs ever. It rose to fame when it travelled space during the Mercury 7 mission on the wrist of Scott Carpenter, who orbited Earth three times in the spaceship Aurora 7 – the second American to orbit Earth. For the mission Breitling fitted their prestigious Navitimer with a 24-hour dial to guarantee the most precise time data in space.
This Cosmonaute example has a marvellous case with polished and matt-finished areas in excellent condition. The three silvered subsidiary dials have acquired a champagne-coloured patina and present a fascinating contrast to the lustrous, deep black dial. The 24-hour display has slightly darkened with time and displays hues varying from light olive to warm sand yellow.