[Press Release]Wilton, Conn. (May 25, 2012) – Luxury Swiss watchmaker Breitling honored the 50th anniversary of U.S. Astronaut Scott Carpenter’s voyage into Space on-board Aurora 7 with the debut of the Limited Edition Navitimer Cosmonaute timepiece at an exclusive celebration for VIPs and customers on Thurs., May 24 at their U.S. Flagship Boutique in New York.
U.S. Astronauts Scott Carpenter and Captain Mark Kelly and Russian Cosmonaute Sergey Volkov celebrated at the boutique, which was transformed into outer space in honor of the event. A 10 foot tall replica of the Aurora 7 capsule was created for the memorable evening. The walls were covered in 26 foot tall graphic images of Scott Carpenter from his voyage in 1962. Models boasted revealing, astronaut -inspired, costumes in Breitling’s signature colors. Satellite parties with a live feed from the New York boutique took also place at the Breitling Boutique in Aventura, Florida and Lewis Diamonds & Timepieces in Texas.
The event was held to commemorate May 24, 1962, when a Breitling Navitimer chronograph became the first wrist instrument to share in the conquest of space by accompanying the Aurora 7 flight. “In 1962, I saw Australian pilots wearing a Breitling Navitimer, which had a unique feature at the time – a circular slide rule – a tool used often in flight for navigation and communication. I asked Breitling to create a special version of the watch for me with a 24 hour dial so I was able to tell the time in space, whether it was day or night since it’s always dark. To have them honor me 50 years later with a custom watch in my honor is extremely special,” said Scott Carpenter.
Thierry Prissert, Breitling USA President presented Scott Carpenter with the #1 of 1,962 pieces. “We are extremely proud to have shared in this accomplishment and thrilled to celebrate Mr. Carpenter and all he has done for the Aerospace program.
It was a great privilege to present him with the watch,” said Prissert.
The Limited Edition Navitimer Cosmonaute made its debut at the event to excited crowds. The watch features manufactured movement, entirely developed and produced in house.
This 1,962-piece limited edition is distinguished by its 24-hour display, manual winding mode – two nods to the original 1962 chronograph – as well as the Aurora 7 mission insignia engraved on the case back.
The Breitling Navitimer Cosmonaute watch is available for purchase at retailers throughout the United States and at the Breitling Boutiques in New York, New York and Aventura, Florida.
