To celebrate its 125^th anniversary, Breitling is launching a new, limited edition chronograph called the Cosmonaute. This version is based on the original Cosmonaute which was created in 1962 to accompany astronauts going to space.

On May 24, 1962 this watch made its first trip to space when worn by Scott Carpenter. In space there can be confusion between day and night, so the Cosmonaute was created to be able to indicate all 24 hours of the day in a single sweep of the dial. Both Carpenter and his Breitling watch were successful in their mission.

Only 1,000 of these new Cosmonaute watches will be produced. The collection maintains the original 24 hour dial feature as well as the design from the 1960’s. The bracelet is an Air Racer.

Breitling watches are known as “instruments for professionals” because they were originally created for aviation pilots. However, as their chronograph features became envied, the watches achieved a certain status symbol among the general public.

Many celebrities have become fans of Breitling watches, the Navitimer being the most favored by John Travolta (himself a licensed pilot), comedian Dave Chapelle, TV host Simon Cowell, musician Miles Davis, and actors Tommy Lee Jones and John Lovitz. Rapper Ludacris prefers the Breitling Super Avenger.

Using their capability to produce precise and elegant timepieces Breitling entered into a partnership with the Bentley Motors and born from that are four collections: the Bentley, the Bentley Flying B, the Bentley GMT and the Bentley Mark VI, all of which have some of the most exclusively crafted and luxurious watches ever produced.

Almost all Breitling watches are men’s watches yet there is a small collection of women’s watches called the Windrider Starliner.