Breitling Navitimer Cosmonaute ARTEMIS II: “Moon Watch”
For decades, the phrase “space watch” immediately conjured up images of Omega and the Speedmaster. Yet, long before the Speedmaster became firmly established in the collective imagination, Breitling had already etched its name into the history of space exploration. In 1962, astronaut Scott Carpenter embarked on his Mercury-Atlas 7 mission wearing a Navitimer Cosmonaute specially modified for space. This watch became the first Swiss wristwatch worn in space. With the new Navitimer B02 Chronograph 41 Cosmonaute ARTEMIS II, Breitling brings this heritage to the forefront. But this time, the brand isn’t content with a vintage tribute or a simple historical reissue. It directly connects its space heritage to the new American lunar missions through a limited edition inspired by the ARTEMIS II program. The result is arguably one of the most significant Breitling releases in recent years, offered in a limited edition for around €11,750.
A true space watch, not a marketing exercise
The main appeal of this Cosmonaute ARTEMIS II lies in its historical legitimacy. Unlike some opportunistic limited editions that capitalize on the space age, the Cosmonaute has a DNA directly linked to orbital exploration. When Scott Carpenter contacted Breitling in the early 1960s, he made a specific request: to adapt the Navitimer for space with a 24-hour display.
In orbit, the day/night cycle becomes impossible to interpret with a classic 12-hour dial, since the sun rises and sets several times in just a few hours. Breitling then developed a special version of the Navitimer capable of solving this problem. This feature remains the central element of the Cosmonaute today. The new ARTEMIS II retains this historic 24-hour display, a true technical signature of the model. This detail profoundly changes the watch's appearance. The dial immediately seems more instrumental, more technical, almost military in its approach to time.
The meteorite dial completely transforms the Navitimer's identity
Visually, the major innovation of this ARTEMIS II edition is undoubtedly its galaxy blue meteorite dial. Breitling could have simply opted for a classic sunburst blue dial. Instead, the brand uses a genuine meteorite whose natural patterns emerge after processing and coloring. Each piece therefore possesses a unique texture, immediately reinforcing the exclusivity of this limited edition. This choice is not insignificant. For several years, meteorite dials have become extremely popular in haute horlogerie, but Breitling had previously used them sparingly. Here, the material takes on a truly narrative meaning: the watch doesn't simply reference space; it literally integrates a fragment of it onto the wrist. The galaxy blue works particularly well with the Cosmonaute universe. It brings an unusual depth to the Navitimer while significantly modernizing a historically rich design.
Discover the full profile of the Breitling Navitimer Cosmonaute ARTEMIS II
A Navitimer More Balanced Than Previous Generations
With its 41 mm case, this Cosmonaute ARTEMIS II also benefits from the recent developments Breitling has made to the Navitimer collection. For a long time, some Navitimers suffered from imposing proportions that limited their versatility. This 41 mm version achieves a much more wearable balance without losing the model's historical visual impact. The thickness of approximately 13 mm remains consistent for a mechanical chronograph with a hand-wound in-house movement. The watch thus retains a strong presence on the wrist, but becomes much easier to wear every day than an older, oversized Navitimer. The circular slide rule is, of course, still present. Even if few users will actually use it today to calculate fuel consumption or airspeed, it remains one of the most iconic elements of aviation watchmaking.
The Breitling B02: A true enthusiast's movement
This ARTEMIS II houses the Breitling Manufacture Calibre B02, a hand-wound mechanical chronograph movement derived from the renowned B01. And it's probably the best possible choice for a Cosmonaute. The manual winding greatly strengthens the emotional connection with the watch. Every morning, the owner rediscovers the traditional mechanical gesture of the historical chronographs used in cockpits and during the first space missions.
The caliber offers approximately 70 hours of power reserve, a very solid performance for a modern manual chronograph. The presence of a column wheel also ensures particularly smooth pusher activation. Breitling demonstrates here its mastery of contemporary mechanics while preserving the functional spirit of its historical instruments.
A limited edition clearly aimed at collectors
The Navitimer Cosmonaute ARTEMIS II is limited to just 450 pieces. In today's watch market, this number remains relatively modest for a major brand like Breitling. Especially when you combine several highly sought-after elements:
- Real space heritage
- 24-hour display
- Meteorite dial
- Manufacture movement
- Limited edition
- Direct link to ARTEMIS II
Breitling seems to be targeting not only collectors of space watches, but also enthusiasts of high-end historical tool watches. The watch achieves something particularly difficult: remaining true to the Cosmonaute's technical DNA without succumbing to mere nostalgia. It appears contemporary, credible, and mechanically sound.
Breitling Finally Revives Its Space Heritage
For years, Breitling sometimes overshadowed its space history with the omnipresent marketing of the Omega Speedmaster. Yet, historically, the Cosmonaute has a truly legitimate place in the space race. With this ARTEMIS II, the Swiss brand finally seems to want to rebalance this narrative. And unlike some artificial marketing campaigns, this watch possesses genuine historical and technical coherence. Above all, it reminds us that Breitling is not just an aviation brand. The Cosmonaute is now one of the rare watches capable of directly linking the beginnings of the American space age to contemporary lunar missions. And in a market saturated with vintage reissues lacking real depth, this Navitimer Cosmonaute ARTEMIS II offers something rarer: an authentic story that continues to this day.
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Editor: Éric Barse
Journalist, entrepreneur, and founder of the websites www.cafe-racer-only.com and www.scooter-3-roues.com, Eric Barse divides his time between his passions: motorcycles, travel, and watches. A graduate of the Saint-Cyr military academy and the 2nd RPIMA (Parachute Regiment) before pursuing a career in communications and digital media, he has a true passion for authentic watches that have accompanied his two-wheeled adventures for many years, from the Indian Ocean to Africa and Latin America!
