Breitling Adds Two New Manual-Wind Navitimers To The Core Collection
Breitling has just added two new chronographs to its permanent collection: the Navitimer B09 Chronograph 41 and the Navitimer B02 Chronograph 41 Cosmonaute. But this isn’t just any old release. Both new models draw inspiration from the 1960s and feature the era-appropriate Twin Jet logo. They also share a 41mm stainless steel case and manually wound manufacture movements. Let’s take a closer look.
The two watches take cues from different chapters in the Navitimer story. The B09 revisits the classic aviation chronograph with a reverse-panda dial, while the Cosmonaute recalls Breitling’s role in early spaceflight. Both are now part of the core collection, moving beyond the limited and commemorative editions that previously featured these configurations. Could Breitling finally be giving us what we’ve long been waiting for?
The Cosmonaute Returns To The Core Collection
Breitling developed the original Navitimer in 1952 as an instrument for pilots. Its combination of a chronograph and circular slide rule allowed wearers to perform calculations and measure elapsed time. In 1962, the brand adapted this concept for astronaut Scott Carpenter, who requested a watch suited to orbital flight.
The resulting Navitimer Cosmonaute featured a 24-hour display to distinguish day from night in space. Carpenter wore it during the Mercury-Atlas 7 mission on May 24, 1962, making it the first Swiss wristwatch to travel into space.
The new Navitimer B02 Chronograph 41 Cosmonaute preserves that defining feature. Its 41mm stainless steel case houses the manually wound Breitling Manufacture Caliber B02, which was developed specifically for the Cosmonaute. The black dial includes contrasting white chronograph counters and a discreet date display integrated into the lower subdial.
The date matches the dial’s color to preserve its symmetry. The movement offers approximately 70 hours of power reserve and uses a column wheel and vertical clutch to control the chronograph. It is also COSC-certified.
Breitling offers the Cosmonaute with a brown gradient calfskin strap and folding clasp or a seven-row stainless steel bracelet with contrasting satin and polished surfaces.
The B09 Brings Back The Reverse-Panda Navitimer
The Navitimer B09 Chronograph 41 introduces the manually wound B09 movement to the model’s core collection for the first time. Previously, Breitling reserved this caliber for limited editions and commemorative releases.
Jim Clark pictured wearing his Navitimer ref. 806
The new chronograph draws inspiration from 806 Navitimers associated with racing drivers Jim Clark and Graham Hill. Both men also flew aircraft, making the watch’s combination of a slide rule and chronograph relevant beyond the cockpit.
The B09 comes in two dial colors: black or blue, each with contrasting white subdials and a white rehaut. This reverse-panda layout gives the watch a distinctly vintage appearance. Both versions retain the Navitimer’s circular slide rule and Twin Jet logo.
Unlike the Cosmonaute, the B09 has no date display. Its manually wound Caliber B09 measures elapsed time with a central chronograph seconds hand and 30-minute and 12-hour counters. Like the B02, it uses a column wheel and vertical clutch, runs at 28,800 vibrations per hour, and provides around 70 hours of power reserve.
The black-dial version comes on a brown gradient calfskin strap, while the blue model has a matching blue strap. Both are also available with a seven-row stainless steel bracelet.
The Twin Jet Logo Returns
Both new models feature Breitling’s Twin Jet logo in gold. The brand introduced the logo in 1957, and it first appeared on the Navitimer dial in 1965. It served as the civilian counterpart to the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association logo used on watches sold directly to the organization’s members.
Vintage Breitling 809 Cosmonaute models often feature black, moisture-damaged lume
The logo became a defining element of Breitling’s visual identity. Its return on these two models gives a not to the original 1960s designs. This is something that Breitling fans will likely enjoy.
The cases used for both models measure 41mm in diameter and 13mm thick, with a lug-to-lug length of 47.09mm. Both feature bidirectional rotating bezels with circular slide rules, double-sided anti-reflective sapphire crystals, and sapphire display case backs. Water resistance is rated to 30 meters.
First Impressions
These two Navitimers revisit different aspects of Breitling’s history. The B09 offers a straightforward take on the classic mechanical chronograph, with its reverse-panda dial and no-date layout. The Cosmonaute remains the more unusual proposition, thanks to its 24-hour display and dedicated hand-wound movement. Making both models permanent additions to the collection gives buyers access to these sweet-spot configurations without waiting for another limited release. And more importantly, as part of the core collection, they come in at a more reasonable price point.
Prices for the Navitimer B02 Chronograph 41 Cosmonaute and Navitimer B09 Chronograph 41 range from €10,300 for the Cosmonaute on a stainless steel bracelet and €10,000 on leather, to €7,800 for the B09 Navitimer on steel and €7,450 on leather.
