Few watch brands have as much claim to legitimacy in the air as Swiss watchmaker Breitling. In fact, they also have claims to fame on land and sea. What's gone relatively unnoticed is Breitling's contributions outside the atmosphere.

While everyone knows that rival Omega makes and markets the moon watch, Breitling also played its part in the space race of the 1960s with the Navitimer chronograph. With the hours indicated in 24 hour increments, this model was called the Cosmonaute and was actually the first chornograph to make it into space.

Lt Commander Scott Carpenter of NASA wore this very watch on a mission to space on 24 May 1962. In honor of Breitling's 125th anniversary, the brand is revisiting this episode of its recent past by issuing a limited edition version of the Cosmonaute.

The Breitling Cosmonaute Limited Edition is issued in a series of 1,000 pieces, all with a new version of the 24-hour dial and fitted with the perforated Air Racer bracelet. The automatic watch is of course a chronograph, with COSC-certified movement, featuring the rotating Breitling bezel with slide rule and the flyback function.

It is water resistant to 300 meters and measures 41.5mm in diameter.