A Space Pioneer
The famous Breitling Navitimer Cosmonaute men’s watch A2232212-B567 was designed and produced at a dynamic and exciting time, at the beginning of space exploration. Breitling watches had already been recognized (especially Navitimer model, first produced in 1952) and well known for their reliance in both military and civil aviation at that time. Thus, it seemed that the next logical step was to take part in this new chapter of a human adventure as well.
At the start of the sixties, an astronaut from Mercury space program, Malcolm Scott Carpenter (the fourth American in space), came with an interesting new idea and approach for a dial. He argued that it would be very practical to create a watch with a 24-hour dial, instead of the standard 12-hours dial. This innovation would be of a great help in conditions of space travel when it is rather difficult to tell the difference between the midnight and the noon.
Swiss manufacturers from Breitling watches agreed to this new approach and soon created Breitling Navitimer with a 24-hour dial, which Carpenter actually wore on his mission on Aurora 7 space capsule on May 24th, 1962. People from the company decided to continue with the production of this model and named it Cosmonaute Navitimer.
A Chronograph with a Flyback Function
This model has caliber Breitling 22 and selfwinding mechanical movement. It also features a 1/5th second chronograph with a flyback function. This means that this Breitling watch has an additional feature, which allows successive timing operations without need to stop and return to zero, before restarting the chronograph.
The timepiece also has a steel case, which diameter is 41.5 mm long and 14.4 mm thick. It also has a black leather bracelet (there is another version with a steel Navitimer bracelet) with a tang-type buckle. The crystal is cambered sapphire with glareproof treatment on both sides. It has an elegant black dial with additional silver subdials (for 60 seconds, 30 minutes and 12 hours). Total weight of this Breitling watch is 83.9 g.
This Breitling Navitimer Cosmonaute watch also features luminescent hands and markers and a date display. Amongst its interesting features, this timepiece also possesses bidirectional rotating bezel with a circular slide rule and a screw-down crown with two gaskets. It also has a power reserve of minimum 42 hours.
Breitling Navitimer Cosmonaute men’s watch can be submerged in water depths up to 30 meters.
Breitling Navitimer Cosmonaute review was published on Watchalyzer on February 1, 2011
It looks tempting, though I am not so sure if I can afford it. It looks very original with that 24 hour dial. I wonder how hard is to get used to that. Still, it looks cool and it’s always nice to see something different… and it looks really elegant and luxurious
24-hour dial instead of the standard 12-hours dial is excellent innovation for cosmonauts….excellent thing for cosmonauts! All styles are interesting with lots of useful features.
Excellent thing! Just to get more money for travel into space! Did you hear about the fact how many years of life you can rejuvenate in the universe? Lifting and liposuction may be a things of the past
Let`s be honest and admit something- this watch doesn`t look anything special. It looks like it`s made for a 50 year old man. It may have a lot of good stuff inside of the dial, but I don`t like it at all. Breitling is a good brand and it`s well known all over the world, but they are failed with this watch. Next time, I hope they will make a better watch.
Wayne, you are so wrong! This watch has everything what it needs to have and it`s very modern and stylish. I don`t know why you don`t like this watch. Maybe you don`t like Breitling at all, that`s okay. But this watch is something glorious.
I agree with Steven. Wayne, my man, you are totally wrong. This watch is so good that you can`t imagine. The only objection I have is low water resistance and an average battery reserve. Everything else is okay.