BREITLING | REF 809 NAVITIMER COSMONAUTE, A STAINLESS STEEL CHRONOGRAPH WRISTWATCH WITH 24 HOUR DIAL REGISTERS AND BRACELET, CIRCA 1967 | 百年靈 |809型號「NAVITIMER COSMONAUTE」精鋼計時鍊帶腕錶備24小時顯示，年份約1967
Auction Closed
December 11, 08:21 PM GMT
Estimate
6,000 - 9,000 USD
Lot Details
Description
BREITLING
百年靈
REF 809 NAVITIMER COSMONAUTE
A STAINLESS STEEL CHRONOGRAPH WRISTWATCH WITH 24 HOUR DIAL REGISTERS AND BRACELET
CIRCA 1967
809型號「NAVITIMER COSMONAUTE」精鋼計時鍊帶腕錶備24小時顯示，年份約1967
Dial: black
Caliber: cal. 178 manual winding movement, 17 jewels
Case: stainless steel, snap-on case back
Closure: stainless steel Champion bracelet with folding clasp
Size: diameter 40.5 mm, bracelet circumference approximately 170 mm
Signed: case, dial and movement
Accessories: Breitling presentation box and booklet
In 1959 NASA announced its preliminary lineup of astronauts for the space program, choosing a group of the USA's best scientists, and fighter and test pilots among the elite. Astronaut Malcolm Scott Carpenter, having served as a combat pilot in the Korean War, apparently reached out to Breitling with a formal request - to install a 24-hour dial to their trusted Navitimers.
Breitling registered the name Cosmonaute in 1961, and modified the Navitimer to include a 24-hour dial. In 1962, the Navitimer Cosmonaute became the first Breitling wristwatch to go to space on the wrist of Mr Carpenter who orbited the Earth three times aboard the Aurora 7.
The present lot is preserved very well with even and robust lugs, and an honest and original dial.