Breitling Navitimer Cosmonaute Flyback Ref. A22322 41 mm automatic Full Set 2012

The pitch

In the early 1960s, Breitling's Navitimer had become the undisputed pilot's watch. But during the space race era, another competition was quietly taking place. Watch brands were vying to be the first brand to have a watch on the wrist of astronauts. On May 24, 1962, Breitling once again demonstrated its talents and officially offered the first Swiss chronograph to be worn on the wrist in space! Indeed, Scott Carpenter took off on board the Mercury-Atlas 7 rocket wearing the Navitimer Cosmonaute. The watch was a personal request from the astronaut, a variant of the iconic Navitimer with the addition of a 24-hour dial to distinguish day from night in the darkness of space. Mercury-Atlas 7 circled the Earth three times before ditching on the Atlantic and thus making aeronautics - and watchmaking - history.

A computer to Flyback complication

This Breitling Navitimer Cosmonaute is a formidable calculating instrument! Thanks to its internal circular slide rule, you will be able to prepare all flight-related operations without any other tool: calculating consumption rates, calculating climb time, converting Miles/Nautical Miles/Kilometers, performing multiplications, etc. Its 24-hour time reading is also very practical and intuitive. But its real interest lies in its Flyback complication. Indeed, the early 1980s saw the return of the Breitling Cosmonaute with the reference 81600 equipped with a Lemania chronograph caliber.

But in the early 2000s, we see the end of the use of Lémania movements, as the company was taken over by the Swatch Group. The reference then changes to the A22322 version, now powered by the Breitling B22 Flyback caliber. This modular movement is based on ETA 2892A2 with a Dubois Depraz chronograph module. It is then the first series of Navitimer equipped with the function " Flyback, return in flight ". This is an important detail since on the latest versions are no longer equipped with it.

The package

This 2012 Cosmonaute Flyback in perfect condition works perfectly. Cherry on the cake, it will be delivered to you Full Set with case, warranty, COSC certificate and its manual. It is mounted on its original steel bracelet, a rare thing for this model! As an Official Breitling Dealer, Lepage certifies the authenticity of this watch. As such, it benefits from the Lepage Vintage 1 year warranty.