lear for lift-off: with its exclusive Signature Collection, Wempe is once again ready for launch with Breitling. Having broken all records and expectations three years ago with the first Signature Collection from Wempe and watchmaker Breitling, the collaboration has now produced another exclusive model for connoisseurs and collectors: the Navitimer B02 Chronograph 41 Cosmonaute Signature Collection, the first Swiss wristwatch developed for space, now reimagined in a limited edition of 50 timepieces.

The Wempe Signature Collection is dedicated to the icons in the world of watches. The Hamburg-based family business brings to the table its many years of knowledge about the expectations, demands, and desires of its customers, and makes these a reality with selected watch brands. This results in unique limited edition watches available exclusively in Wempe showrooms worldwide and in the Wempe online shop.

Born as a pioneer, immortal as an icon: the Navitimer Cosmonaute, developed back then by Breitling for astronaut Scott Carpenter, who approached the Swiss watchmaker, already one of the foremost specialists in aviator watches for decades, with a view to making his special wishes a reality. In addition to Breitling’s distinctive rotating bezel with a slide rule, used as a safety instrument for navigation, Carpenter wanted a 24-hour scale to help him distinguish between the hours of day and night in the darkness of space. He also asked for a wider, fluted bezel to allow him to manage the watch while wearing his gloves. On May 24, 1962, the astronaut’s watch had its maiden flight: in his Aurora 7 spacecraft, Carpenter made three orbits of the Earth with the Navitimer Cosmonaute on his wrist.

“1962 – the year I was born – was also the year in which the Breitling Cosmonaute became the first Swiss wristwatch to be worn in space. It was designed as a hand-wound timepiece, and that was no coincidence, because it ensured that it would function reliably in zero gravity,” explains Kim-Eva Wempe (63).

The Wempe managing partner is herself particularly fond of watches with hand-wound movement: “They demand a conscious moment of connection to time – winding them every day is a quiet ritual that brings the watch to life. The fact that we as a family business are now working with Breitling to create a limited Cosmonaute edition is a very personal moment for me. It is a tribute to a significant piece of space history – and to the timeless art of mechanical watchmaking.”

Georges Kern, CEO of Breitling, adds: “With this new limited edition, we are continuing our successful partnership with Wempe – a tribute to Scott Carpenter’s historic space flight, and at the same time a symbol of Breitling’s pioneering spirit and innovative strength.”

Inspired by the 1962 original, the watch combines authentic design with modern updates. Floating at 12 o’clock in the almost infinite expanse of the deep green dial in this new edition is the legendary winged logo of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), symbolizing the watch’s historic achievement. It also features seven functions at different levels: as with the original, the watchmaker’s trademark – the characteristic slide rule – with white numerals and markers is operated by means of the bidirectional rotating bezel.

The chronograph mushroom-type pushpieces are also true to the original, while the three totalizers with a radial cut are found one level down, giving the dial a three-dimensional touch. The central stop second hand with a red lacquered tip and the 24-hour scale have been modernized to improve readability: their numerals and hour markers are made of Super-LumiNova for an authentic vintage look in the color “Old Radium,” which glows a luminous green in the dark. This luminosity is also a feature of the hour and minute hands, which like all hands in this edition are also plated with 18k rose gold. Further updates include a date display at six o’clock and a stainless steel case comfortably sized at 41 millimeters diagonally with a sapphire crystal case back.

Be in no doubt – the sporty Navitimer B02 Chronograph 41 Cosmonaute Signature Collection is an instrument watch for professionals and true watch connoisseurs. The chronograph caliber B02 with hand-wound manufacture movement promises accurate high performance. The fully integrated chronograph with column-wheel control and vertical clutch runs so precisely that it has been certified as a chronometer by the COSC (Contrôle officiel suisse des chronomètres). Given its many functions and high precision, the long power reserve is all the more impressive – the watch can be used to navigate continuously for around 70 hours, making it the ideal companion for extended missions. Breitling is confident of the quality of its products, which is why all come with a five-year warranty.

The dial design includes two features exclusive to the Signature Collection: its rich dark green combined with the 24-hour scale made of Super-LumiNova in the color “Old Radium”. In addition, all hands are exclusively plated with 18k gold, with its rose gold tone coordinated to match the cognac color of the alligator leather strap. To underscore the exclusivity of the 50 limited-edition retro timepieces, they feature an engraving with “Wempe Signature Collection” and “One of 50” next to the sapphire crystal case back.

Despite the additional work involved in their individual design, and the limited edition of just 50 timepieces, Wempe is not shooting high – the price of 9,950 euros is anything but astronomical.

Available worldwide from October 1, 2025 in all Wempe showrooms with a Breitling concession and on wempe.com.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• Movement Mechanical manufacture caliber B02, hand-wound movement

• Finishing Rhodium plating, ribbing, engraved logo, sunray decoration on gear train and balance bridge, screws coated blue

• Number of rubies 39

• Balance frequency 28,800 vibrations/hour

• Movement dimensions Ø 30 mm, height 6.83 mm

• Power reserve Approx. 70 hours

• Display 24-hour display, chronograph, date

• Control elements Stop second, 30-minute and 12-hour counter, bidirectional rotating bezel, slide rule

• Case Stainless steel, Ø 41 mm, height 13 mm, sapphire crystal case back, engraving “Wempe Signature Collection” and “One of 50”

• Glass Domed sapphire crystal, anti-reflective on both sides

• Dial Dark green, numerals and hour markers made of Super-LumiNova in the color “Old Radium” (luminous green), round-cut chronograph totalizers

• Hands Hour and minute hands plated with 18k rose gold with white luminescent material. Counter hands plated with 18k rose gold, stop second hand lacquered red

• Strap Dark brown alligator leather strap with stainless steel folding clasp

• Water-resistance Up to 3 bar

• Certificate COSC chronometer certification (Contrôle officiel suisse des chronomètres)

• Warranty 5 years

• Limited edition 50

• Reference number Navitimer B02 Chronograph 41 Cosmonaute Signature Collection AB0204A1L1P1 (BL50009)

• Price EUR 9,950; USD 10,100 (excluding taxes)