Vintage Breitling Cosmonaute Chrono-matic
Ref. 1809, Chronograph, Automatic, Date
The automatic Cosmonaute Chrono-matic Ref. 1809 was released in March 1969, the first automatic chronograph ever, beating the Zenith El Primero to the market by a few weeks. Partly because the name "El Primero" means "The First", a myth has grown that the Zenith El Primero was the first automatic chronograph but this is not strictly true. The Cosmonaute Chrono-matic Ref. 1809 movement is modular; whereas, the El Primero was the first integrated automatic chronograph movement. 

The first version of Cosmonaute Chrono-matic Ref. 1809 had an all-black bezel. The bezel design of the Cosmonaute Chrono-matic Ref. 1809 was soon modified to a more practical version not prone to the black coating being chipped or worn from the edges. The revised bezel of the later Cosmonaute Chrono-matic Ref. 1809 has exposed silver metal on the serrated edge. 

The Cosmonaute Chrono-matic Ref. 1809 I have for sale has the earlier all-black bezel with the red date.

Caliber 11 Movement
In 1965, some of the biggest watchmakers in the world, Breitling, Heuer-Leonidas, Hamiliton-Bruen and Dubois Depraz, formed an alliance to pool resources and create the first Automatic Chronograph. 

The movement was an entirely new movement, developed on a "white board" basis by the alliance partners. Bruen would be in charge of the special automatic mechanism adapted from Bruen’s "Intramatic" Caliber. Dubois-Depraz would be responsible for the chronographic module equipped with a 12-hour and a 30-minute counter as well as the oscillating pinion invented by Edward Heuer. Breitling and Heuer would develop the other components and oversee the design of the watch dial and case. 

The group developed the Caliber 11 movement and "won the race" to market the world's first automatic chronographs. The first Caliber 11 chronographs were introduced in March 1969 (over a month before the the El Primero was introduced) and offered for sale to the general public during the Summer of 1969. 

Features
Age: 1970
Gender: Men's
Brand: Breitling
Model: Cosmonaute Chrono-matic
Ref. #: 
1809
Serial #: 
1349484
Movement: Automatic Breitling Cal. 11
Movement #: N/A
Dial: Black w/ Luminous Numbers & White Sub-dials
Hands: Orange; Luminous
Crystal: Acrylic
Case: Stainless Steel
Case Back: Stainless Steel
Bezel: Black Coated Stainless Steel; Rotating
Crown: Stainless Steel; Push/Pull; Signed
Bracelet: Black Leather Band w/ Stainless Buckle
Functions: Time, Date, Chronograph
Accessories: None
Condition: Pre-Owned. Very Good Physical Condition. Running.
Please refer to the pictures. Sold As Is.
Authenticity: 100% Authentic

Dimensions
Case Diameter: approx. 48 mm Not Including Crown
Case Length: approx. 48.2  mm Lug to Lug
Case Thickness: approx. 15.6 mm
Lug Width: approx. 22 mm
Overall Length: approx. 9.5"

The Dial is Marked:
"Breitling"
"Geneve"
"Cosmonaute"
"Chrono-matic"
"T Swiss Made T"

Case Back is Marked (outside):
"Breitling Automatic"
"DDE. BR. 11525/67"
"1809"
"1349484"
"Stainless Steel"
"Swiss Made"
"Antimagnetic"
"Shock Resistant"
"Water Resistant"

Movement is Marked:
"Breitling"
"Cal. 11"
"Automatic"
"Seventeen 17 Jewels"
"Unadjusted"
"Swiss"


This watch is an amazing value and is a steal at this price.  

Any questions please ask prior to bidding. 
Check out my other auctions for other great items.

SEE PICTURES FOR MORE INFORMATION ON DESCRIPTION AND CONDITION.

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Please check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to bidding or buying.