Breitling Cosmonaute 1962 ref 809

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On May 24 1962, when Scott Carpenter went into space with Aurora 7, a Navitimer featuring 24 hour indication over a single turn of the dial was produced as the notion of day and night is extremely relative in space, this configuration would enable space crews not to confuse midday with midnight.

Before it was cleared for travel in Space the watch had to pass some extremely tough tests carried out by NASA. It was produced throughout the sixties with both AOPA’s Wing and Breitling’s Doublewing logo on the dial; both under the name Navitimer  & Cosmonaute. The reference nr. was 809 and the movement was a Venus 178 modified to the 24-hour-display

Extremely rare 1962 AOPA 24 hour ‘Navitimer’ ref 809 , later known as the ‘Cosmonaute’ with wide bezel . perfect lume and hands , slight corrosion on the dial edge

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Description

CASE & BACK: This watchmeasures a large 43 x 47.7 mm not including crown and is 14mm to the top of the flush fit crystal. The heavy all-steel case does not appear to have ever been polished and still shows its original bevels and contrast satin-polished finish and sharp lugs. There are very few superficial scratches and some nicks commensurate with a very lightly worn 48-year-old tool watch  — Fantastic vintage condition overall. The outer part of the snap steel back has some very light and superficial scratches but shows its original Breitling nomenclature of the period including the 955791 serial number on the inside, which indicates a 1962 production, and correct 809 reference–also Excellent original cosmetic condition. The inner caseback shows no corrosion and has the correct internal Breitling engraving of the era.

BEZEL: The Stainless steel rotating bezel is correct and original and in Very Good condition . The bezel itself rotates with good tension in both directions as designed.

DIAL & HANDS: Absolutely Near Mint matte black dial with white printing and finely calibrated track and only the minor imperfections visible under a loupe , the outer ring of the dial has some slight corrosion. All original ‘coffe cream’ colored Tritium luminous numbers in fantastic condition. The Hands are as Near Mint as are the small black counter hands are Excellent with just a trace of spotting to its original luminous fill.

CROWN & PUSHERS: Signed Breitling crown looks very clean and winds and pulls out to the time-setting position as it should. It sits tightly against the case. The two pusher caps are likewise in Excellent shape and both chrono pushers work as they should and also nice and crisply.

CRYSTAL: Large flush-fit acrylic crystal is Excellent+ without scratches and no deep marks and sits barely proud of the bezel, which I believe to be correct for this model.

MOVEMENT: Legendary Venus 178 chronograph movement is looking bright and working well with all correct Breitling nomenclature of the era and shock protection. WHat has been serviced in 2014 and it is keeping good time with a strong power reserve and all chronograph functions are working properly and returning to zero. This is guaranteed to be the case at the time of shipment.

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