Latest news with #Breitling
Stuff.tv
4 days ago
- Science
- Stuff.tv
Breitling celebrates its history of space exploration with 50-piece limited-edition Navitimer Cosmonaute
Breitling is marking what would've been astronaut Scott Carpenter's 100th birthday with a tribute that's as rare as it is meaningful – a 50-piece platinum Navitimer Cosmonaute. It's a nod to a milestone moment in both space and watch history: the first Swiss wristwatch in space. First, a little history lesson. On 24 May 1962, Carpenter became the second American to orbit Earth as part of NASA's Mercury-Atlas 7 mission. On his wrist was a custom-built Breitling Navitimer, adapted for life in zero gravity. It had a 24-hour dial, a stretch-metal bracelet to fit over his spacesuit, and a wider bezel for gloved hands – changes he personally requested. Breitling's Willy Breitling made it happen just days before launch. Six decades on, Breitling is celebrating that legacy with the Navitimer B02 Chronograph 41 Cosmonaute Scott Carpenter Centenary. It's powered by the manually wound B02 calibre with a 24-hour display, just like the original. You can see it ticking away through the sapphire caseback, engraved with tributes to Carpenter, his Aurora 7 capsule, and the Mercury 7 astronaut group. The watch face channels Earth from orbit – a deep blue dial for the planet, a crisp white slide rule for the clouds. This is also reflected in the matching blue alligator strap. It's topped off with a white-gold clasp and presented in a wooden box, alongside a replica of Carpenter's Mercury 7 name badge. Breitling CEO Georges Kern said, '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.' The original Cosmonaute was water-damaged during Carpenter's Atlantic splashdown and lay untouched in Breitling's archives for decades, finally re-emerging in 2022. It was recently displayed as part of the brand's 140th-anniversary museum pop-up in Zurich, its corroded dial now resembling the surface of an alien world. Only 50 of these platinum Navitimer Cosmonaute centenary edition exist – and it's available now for $42,000 / £34,500. Liked this? TAG Heuer launches a trio of Monaco watches for the Monaco GP, and I'm having trouble choosing a favourite
Mint
09-05-2025
- Science
- Mint
5 legendary wristwatches that went to space
Not so long ago, the wristwatch used to be a proper tool. Used by professionals in different environments, and for a wide variety of jobs, the watch wasn't just part of someone's 'look", but also an essential item. A recreational diver (as well as a professional one) would use their dive watch, while a scientist working in a laboratory might use a watch with extra magnetic resistance. In fact, wristwatches used to be marketed as such, e.g. chronographs with a pulsometer scale on the bezel were pitched to doctors, because they would use one to calculate the pulse rate. And once recreational sports like mountaineering, diving and spelunking took off in the 1950s and 60s, purpose-built watches like the Seiko Willard, or the Rolex Explorer II were marketed as kit essentials. In fact, watches were important enough that when the 'Space Race" between the Soviet Union and the US began in the 1960s, watches became an important part of the story. So, what are the watches that went to space? Well, there are many including, in modern times, Casios and Apple Watches. But for sheer iconic status, you can't beat these five. Also Read 8 best GMT watches for your summer holidays A post shared by Galin Russev (@gallianoo) Strela Chronograph If the narrative of space exploration is too US-centric, then so is the story of watches in space. And while everyone knows that the Omega Speedmaster was the first watch on the moon in 1969, in 1965, Russian-made Strela became the first watch to be worn during a spacewalk, by Soviet cosmonaut Alexei Leonov. Built by the Moscow Watch Factory (which had also supplied the first man in space, cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin, with his Sturmanskie watch). A chronograph was an indispensable tool for the space-men, since so much of their work had to be meticulously timed, from oxygen levels to timing rocket burns. A post shared by Gabriele (@isignorideltempo) Breitling Navitimer Cosmonaute By the early 1960s, the Breitling Navitimer had been established as one of the most trusted aviation watches for pilots. The key factor that made the watch a hit with the pros was its circular slide rule, allowing pilots to make on-the-fly in-flight calculations. In 1961, US cosmonaut M. Scott Carpenter approached Breitling to make him a purpose-built Navitimer, this one with a 24-hour chronograph scale (instead of the standard 12-hour scale), because it's impossible to otherwise tell morning from night in space. Breitling obliged, and in 1961, the Cosmonaute became the first Swiss chronograph in space, when Carpenter flew to space on the Aurora 7 rocket. A post shared by Neyra Official (@ Omega Speedmaster Professional NASA had been tinkering with the idea of selecting an official watch—a chronograph of course—for its astronauts, and the process speeded up once Carpenter took the Navitimer to space. The space organization invited brands to participate, and received watches from Omega, Rolex and Longines. After rigorous durability tests, NASA settled on the Omega Speedmaster, a watch released in 1959 for motorsport enthusiasts and drivers. From 1965, the Speedmaster Professional became a part of the official gear issued to astronauts of the Gemini and Apollo missions. Thus, the watch featured on the wrists of Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin when they touched down on the moon in 1969. A new horological icon was born. Also Read 5 horology YouTube channels you should follow A post shared by 𝚕𝚘𝚠𝚐𝚛𝚊𝚍𝚎𝚠𝚊𝚝𝚌𝚑𝚏𝚒𝚎𝚗𝚍 (@lowgradewatchfiend) Bulova Lunar Chronograph While the official Speedmasters issued by NASA had to be returned to the organization once astronauts returned to Earth, members of the expeditions were allowed to carry personal watches too. During the Apollo 15 mission in 1971, astronaut Dave Scott's Speedmaster's crystal popped out during an EVA (extra-vehicular activity) on the Lunar Rover. He put on his personal Bulova chronograph to help him finish the mission. Thus, it became the only other known watch to be worn on the moon's surface. A post shared by WYD (@ Seiko 6139 'Pogue" It wasn't just Swiss watches that were worn in space, but a Japanese trailblazer made it there too. In 1969, Seiko had become one of three brands to successfully release an automatic chronograph—the others were Zenith and Heuer—and it was thefirst of the three to come out that year. By the early 70s, automatic chronographs were the rage—the Speedmaster was a mechanical chronograph—and surely enough, these watches were favoured by aviators and astronauts because these didn't need to be manually wound each day. In the 1970s, NASA's focus shifted from moon landings to space stations, and the first of these was the Skylab. Astronauts would stay in these stations and conduct scientific experiments for months on end, in a testament to new space tech and human endurance. During its final crewed mission between November 1973-February 1974, William R. Pogue wore the Seiko 6139-6005, making it the first automatic chronograph in space. This funky watch, with its cushion case, brilliant gold dial and a 'Pepsi" blue-and-red bezel, attained iconic status. Fittingly, fans call it the 'Pogue". Once, wristwatches were more than accessories—they were essential tools built to withstand the harshest environments imaginable. Nowhere was this truer than in space, where extreme temperatures, zero gravity, and relentless radiation demanded unwavering precision and resilience. These timepieces weren't worn for style; they were mission-critical instruments, used to measure experiments, time rocket burns, and track day and night in a place where such markers vanish. In the golden age of space exploration, watches were engineered as tools for human endeavour—purposeful, reliable, and tough. Their presence in space serves as a powerful reminder of when function, not fashion, defined what we wore on our wrists. Handwound is a monthly column on watches and watchmaking. Also Read From oyster to jubilee: The importance of watch bracelets
Stuff.tv
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Stuff.tv
Tudor has launched a highly collectable FXD Chrono 'Pink', and I love it
Hot on the heels of the stealthy VCARB Black Bay Chronograph Carbon 25, Tudor has dropped something that couldn't be more different: the new Pelagos FXD Chrono 'Pink'. And yes, I'm completely into it. Created to celebrate Tudor's role as Official Timekeeper of the Giro d'Italia, this limited-run chronograph is a tribute to one of cycling's most punishing and iconic races. The Giro's pink jersey – the Maglia Rosa – goes to the overall winner, and now Tudor's paying homage with a bold, 300-piece-only release, decked out with pink accents and serious race pedigree. Let's be honest, pro cycling isn't gentle. Neither is this watch (and I think the FXD Chrono is one of Tudor's best watches). The 43mm case is made from carbon composite, with fixed strap bars and titanium bits to keep it both light and tough – ideal for the insane conditions these riders face (think: the elevation of Everest, six times). It's built to survive way more than a leisurely Sunday ride. What really makes the FXD Chrono 'Pink' shine is its cycling-first design. Instead of the usual car-focused tachymeter, the dial's scale is tuned to typical cycling speeds. It spirals inward on the rehaut, giving riders quick feedback on their performance without the mental gymnastics. Pink markers pop from the matte black ceramic dial, with bright lume-filled Snowflake hands – pure Tudor. The strap is worth a mention too. It's a black jacquard-woven one-piece job with a pink centre stripe, made on 19th-century looms in France by Julien Faure. It's breathable, strong and snug – basically the textile version of a high-end racing bib. Under the hood, Tudor hasn't cut corners. The Pelagos FXD Chrono 'Pink' runs on the MT5813 movement, a COSC-certified chronograph calibre with a column wheel, vertical clutch, silicon balance spring and a 70-hour power reserve. It's based on Breitling's B01 but with Tudor's own tweaks and finishing. It's functional, rare, and full of character – exactly what a special-edition chronograph should be. If you're a cycling nut, a Tudor collector, or just someone who loves the look of that pink-on-black combo, $5600 / £4650 might not seem so unreasonable. And again, they only made 300, so pedal down to your local Tudor dealer pronto (we don't think this one will be available on Tudor's website). Liked this? This new Seiko nails two of my favourite 2025 watch trends
Fashion Network
07-05-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Breitling partners with Palladium Fashion Avenue for luxury watch event in Chennai
Swiss luxury watchmaker Breitling hosted an exclusive showcase at its Palladium Chennai boutique as part of the ongoing Palladium Fashion Avenue celebration. The event marked the debut of Breitling's 'Top Time B31' collection in India and welcomed a group of high-net-worth individuals and notable Chennai personalities including playback singer Saindhavi, actor Vasuki, and socialite Kiran Hein. The evening also welcomed members of the GMT Watch Committee, offering guests an immersive introduction to Breitling's horological brand legacy, the label announced in a press release. Set within the luxury retail environment of Palladium, the gathering reflected the mall's focus on delivering premium lifestyle experiences tailored for local premium shoppers. Designed with a nod to 1960s motorsport chronographs, Breitling's Top Time B31 collection merges precision engineering with retro aesthetics. Following the event, the watches are now available at the Breitling boutique located in Phoenix Marketcity Chennai. Palladium Chennai's partnership with Breitling reinforces its commitment to high-end retail and was designed to deepen its connection to Chennai's global facing and affluent customer base. By holding in-store events, malls seek to drive footfall and offer experiences which cannot be replicated in the fast growing world of online retail.
Forbes
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
2025 Met Gala: Luxury Watches That Stole The Spotlight
For the first time since 2003, the Met Gala held Monday at the Metropolitan Museum of Art had a men's style theme: 'Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.' This meant that timepieces played a larger role than normal for the annual fashion event. Men's and women's watches were prominent on the wrists of the invited guests who ranged from two members of the Super Bowl champions Philadelphia Eagles to WNBA basketball stars to award-winning actors. Jalen Hurts wearing Breitling's Navitimer B01 at the 2025 Met Gala (Photo by John Shearer/WireImage) WireImage Super Bowl Champion and MVP, Jalen Hurts, quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles football team, made his Met Gala debut and first appearance as a newlywed wearing the Breitling Navitimer B01 Chronograph 43 with a stainless-steel bracelet. Saquon Barkley wearing the H. Moser & Cie. Endeavour Tourbillon Concept Vantablack with double ... More hairspring flying tourbillon at the 2025 Met Gala (Photo by Mike Coppola/MG25/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue) Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue Saquon Barkley, running back for the 2025 Super Bowl Champions Philadelphia Eagles, wore an H. Moser & Cie. Endeavour Tourbillon Concept Vantablack with double hairspring flying tourbillon. The dial is made of the darkest man-made material ever made, Vantablack void of any logo, markers or any embellishment. The watch is completed with an alligator strap. Caleb McLaughlin wears a Zenith Defy Skyline Sapphire at the 2025 Met Gala (Photo by Savion ...) Getty Images Actor Caleb McLaughlin wore a Zenith Defy Skyline Sapphire watch with a 41mm stainless steel case and a bezel set with 45 baguette-cut blue sapphires surrounding a sunray-patterned metallic blue dial. The watch is pwered by the high-frequency El Primero 3620 movement with a 1/10th of a second sub-dial at 9 o'clock, and a 60-hour power reserve. The New York based luxury brand provided bejeweled timepieces for several of the Met Gala guests. Maluma wears the Jacob & Co. Emerald Billionaire III at the 2025 Met Gala (Photo by Kevin ... More Mazur/MG25/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue)for The Met Museum/Vogue Colombian singer, Maluma, wore a one-of-a-kind Emerald Billionaire III timepiece valued at $5 million. The 18k white gold case and bracelet, case frame, bridges, inner ring and bracelet are set with emeralds. The watch is powered by the manual skeleton tourbillon JCAM39 movement. Jeff Goldblum wears Ashoka Boutique Watch at the 2025 Met Gala (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty ... More Images for The Met Museum/Vogue) Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue Jeff Goldblum donned the Ashoka Boutique Watch valued at $1.2 million. The 18k white gold case and bracelet are paved with 60.09 carats of Ashoka cut diamonds. Another 3.20 carats of Ashoka Cut diamonds cover the dial. Burna Boy wears the Caviar Tourbillon at the 2025 Met Gala (Photo by) Getty Images Nigerian singer and songwriter, Burna Boy, wore the Caviar Tourbillon valued at $800,000. The watch is covered in invisible set baguettes and a single rose cut diamond. It is powered by an exclusive JCO Automatic Caliber JCAA43with 27 jewels and a one-minute flying tourbillon. Audemars Piguet Some of the biggest names of the night were seen wearing Audemars Piguet watches. Among them: Serena Williams wears the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Mini in Frosted White Gold at the 2025 Met Gala ... More (Photo by Kevin Mazur/MG25/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue)for The Met Museum/Vogue Friend of Brand, Serena Williams, wore the Royal Oak Mini in Frosted White Gold Simone Biles wears the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Mini in Frosted White Gold at the 2025 Met Gala ... More (Photo) Getty Images Simone Biles wore the Royal Oak Mini in Frosted White Gold Hailey Bieber wears the Audemars Piguet 1975 archival timepiece in white gold at the 2025 Met Gala ... More (Photo by) Getty Images Hailey Bieber wore the Audemars Piguet 1975 archival timepiece in white gold with an opal dial and Caliber 2430 Shaboozey wears the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 37mm watch in yellow gold with a turquoise dial at the ... More 2025 Met Gala (Photo by) Getty Images Rapper and singer-songwriter, Shaboozey, wore the Royal Oak 37mm watch in yellow gold with a turquoise dial. Olivier Rousteing wears the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 'Jumbo' extra-thin 39mm watch in yellow gold ... More fully set with yellow sapphires at the 2025 Met Gala. (Photo by) Getty Images French fashion designer, Olivier Rousteing, wore the Royal Oak 'Jumbo' extra-thin 39mm watch in yellow gold fully set with yellow sapphires. Kailand Morris (right) wears the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding 37mm watch with a diamond-set ... More pink gold case, bezel set with blue sapphires the 2025 Met Gala. He is with Tomeeka Robyn Bracy and Stevie Wonder. (Photo by John Shearer/WireImage) WireImage Stevie Wonder's son, Kailand Morris, wore the Royal Oak Selfwinding 37mm watch with a diamond-set pink gold case, bezel set with blue sapphires, and pearly light blue 'large square scale' alligator strap. Breanna Stewart wears the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding 41mm chronograph in pink gold and ... More fully set with brilliant-cut diamonds at the 2025 Met Gala (Photo by Kevin Mazur/MG25/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue)for The Met Museum/Vogue WNBA basketball player, Breanna Stewart, wore the Royal Oak Selfwinding 41mm chronograph in pink gold and fully set with brilliant-cut diamonds. Jonathan Owens wears the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar 41mm watch in stainless steel ... More with a tone-on-tone blue dial at the 2025 Met Gala (Photo byfor The Met Museum/Vogue) Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue NFL safety Jonathan Owens with the Chicago Bears wore the Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar 41mm watch in stainless steel with a tone-on-tone blue dial. Omega The Swiss watch brand also provided timepieces for many of the biggest names at the event. They are: Colman Domingo wears an unreleased Omega Speedmaster chronograph in 18k gold at the 2025 Met Gala ... More (Photo by Cindy Ord/MG25/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue) Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue Actor Colman Domingo, a friend of the brand, wore an unreleased Speedmaster chronograph in 18k gold. Nicole Kidman wears a vintage Omega Ladymatic 'Saphette' timepiece, 1969, in 18k white gold with a ... More black corded fabric bracelet to The 2025 Met Gala (Photo by Gilbert Carrasquillo/GC Images) GC Images Omega ambassador, Nicole Kidman, wore a vintage Ladymatic 'Saphette' timepiece, 1969, crafted in 18k white gold with a black corded fabric bracelet. The name refers to the sparkling sapphire crystal on the face, facetted like a diamond solitaire. Omega ambassador, Noah Lyles, wears an Omega 40mm De Ville Prestige in 18k yellow gold at the 2025 ... More Met Gala (Photo by Cindy Ord/MG25/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue) Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue The Olympics 100-meter champion and Omega ambassador, Noah Lyles, wore a 40mm De Ville Prestige in 18k yellow gold on a brown leather strap. Barry Keoghan wears an Omega 42mm Speedmaster Moonwatch in 18k Moonshine Gold with blackened ... More subdials at the 2025 Met Gala (Photo by) Getty Images Omega's friend of the brand, actor, Barry Keoghan, wore a 42mm Speedmaster Moonwatch in 18k Moonshine Gold with blackened subdials. Patrick Schwarzenegger wears an Omega 38mm Aqua Terra Shades timepiece in full 18K Moonshine Gold ... More with a sun-brushed dial at the 2025 Met Gala (Photo by John Shearer/WireImage) WireImage Actor, Patrick Schwarzenegger, wore a 38mm Aqua Terra Shades timepiece in full 18k Moonshine Gold with a sun-brushed dial. Tom Francis wears an Omega 38mm Seamaster Aqua Terra in 18k Moonshine Gold with blue dial at the ... More 2025 Met Gala (Photo by Michael Buckner/Penske Media via Getty Images) Penske Media via Getty Images Actor and singer, Tom Francis, wore a 38mm Seamaster Aqua Terra in 18k Moonshine Gold with a blue dial. Justice Smith wears an Omega 26mm De Ville Mini Trésor in full 18k Moonshine Gold at the 2025 Met ... More Gala. (Photo by Michael Buckner/Penske Media via Getty Images) Penske Media via Getty Images Actor, Justice Smith, wore a 26mm De Ville Mini Trésor in full 18k Moonshine Gold on a mesh bracelet. Paul Tazewell wears an Omega 42mm Seamaster Diver 300M in stainless steel and 18k yellow gold with a ... More black dial at the 2025 Met Gala (Photo by Cindy Ord/MG25/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue) Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue Oscar-winning costume designer, Paul Tazewell, wore a 42mm Seamaster Diver 300M in stainless steel and 18k yellow gold with a black dial. Jaeger-LeCoultre Tramell Tillman wears a Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Duoface Tourbillon in 18k pink gold at the ... More 2025 Met Gala (Photo by Mike Coppola/MG25/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue) Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue Actor Tramell Tillman wore a Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Duoface Tourbillon in 18k pink gold on a black leather strap. Usher wearing a Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso One Duetto Jewelry in 18k pink gold while going to the 2025 ... More Met Gala (Photo by Masato Onada/WWD via Getty Images) WWD via Getty Images Usher wore a Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso One Duetto Jewelry in 18k pink gold with more than 300 diamonds. Jeremy Allen wears a Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Monoface Small Seconds in 18k pink goldWhite ... More at the 2025 Met Gala (Photo byfor The Met Museum/Vogue) Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue Jeremy Allen White wore a Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Monoface Small Seconds in 18k pink gold and black alligator leather strap. Vacheron Constantin Walton Goggins wears a Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Complete Calendar Openface 41mm in ... More platinum at the 2025 Met Gala (Photo by) Getty Images Walton Goggins wore a Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Complete Calendar Openface 41mm in platinum. Janelle Monáe wears a Vacheron Constantin Fiftysix Self-Winding 40mm in pink gold at the 2025 ... More Met Gala (Photo byfor The Met Museum/Vogue) Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue Janelle Monae wore a Vacheron Constantin Fiftysix Self-Winding 40mm in pink gold.
