On May 24, 1962, Scott Carpenter orbited the Earth three times as part of NASA’s Mercury-Atlas 7 mission – becoming only the second American to do so. On his wrist: a one-of-a-kind Navitimer, custom-built by Breitling for space.
Its chronograph and signature slide rule had made it an indispensable tool in the cockpit. But space called for something different. Prior to his mission, Carpenter wrote to Breitling asking for a custom Navitimer with a few special modifications: a wider bezel for use with gloved hands, a stretch-metal bracelet to fit over his space suit, and, most famously – a 24-hour dial.
In orbit, where the sun rises and sets every 90 minutes, this 24-hour display would keep him grounded in time. “Breitling has been part of some of the most important moments in watchmaking, but sending the first Swiss wristwatch into space is one of our proudest achievements,” said Georges Kern, CEO of Breitling. “Willy Breitling didn’t hesitate when Scott Carpenter asked for a watch built for space: he made it happen. That spirit – being innovative, taking risks, pushing limits – is how we still operate today.”