Three sizes, two case materials and a legendary pilot’s watch.
In the enthusiast community, the exact date is up for debate – but according to Breitling, 2022 marks the 70th anniversary of the Navitimer chronograph. The brand celebrates not a single reissue, but a full line of Navitimers, available in 46mm, 43mm, 41mm, stainless steel and red gold. If the size range doesn’t offer enough variety, consider having 13 different watch faces to choose from.
The aviation chronograph is one of Breitling’s most famous designs. Willie Breitling conceived this watch in the early 1950s to directly assist the pilot in the cockpit. He called it the navigation timer, or “navigation timer.” The watch has a rotating slide rule on the bezel that works with the chronograph to make cockpit calculations easier. This watch was all the rage. It was so popular among pilots that the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association teamed up with Breitling to release a branded design featuring the company’s wing badge at 12 o’clock. It was in the 50s that civil aviation proliferated and weekend warrior pilots as well as professional and military pilots demanded watches. The Breitling Navitimer became commonplace in aviation installations. It is considered a valuable tool.
In the early 1960s, Scott Carpenter and Breitling modified the Navitimer for 24-hour time for aerospace applications, and based on the design of aviation timing, Breitling was born. Aviation chronograph Cosmonaute. In addition to professionals like Carpenter, the watch has been popular with celebrities like Miles Davis, Serge Gainsbourg, Jim Clark and Graham Hill.
The 2022 Navitimer collection retains all the elements of the mid-century Navitimer collection, such as the circular slide rule, stick hour markers, chronograph trio and notched bezel. The most notable changes are inside, including the COSC-certified Breitling Manufacture Caliber 01. This is a column-wheel chronograph with a 70-hour power reserve. There is also a new date function at 6 o’clock
Aviation Timing Reference. The 806 1959 Re-Edition was released at Baselworld 2019 to the delight of collectors. This is an accurate reprint; a proper way to honor a watch with such a strong legacy. That means it’s only a matter of time before we see an update to the Navitimer series.
The slide rule is now flattened with a crystal top, visually creating a more compact watch profile. But let’s be clear here: Breitling didn’t make the case any smaller. The original Navitimer had a 40mm case. This new Navitimer measures up to 46mm. For those who want to get as close to the original as possible, the 41mm variant is the closest we’ll get. They both have the Calibre 01 and both are water resistant to 30 meters.
With so many dial options, case sizes and metals to choose from, let’s break them down.
at 46 mm
The stainless steel model features black, blue and emerald green dials. The single 18k red gold model features a silver and black panda dial.
at 43 mm
The stainless steel model comes with black, silver, copper, ice blue and mint green dials. The single 18k red gold model features a black dial with silver-tone indexes.
at 41 mm
The stainless steel model features blue, silver and mint green dials. The single 18k red gold model features an all-silver dial.
Instead of appealing to a highly specific niche, the new Navitimer casts a broad network. It’s a method that won’t leave anyone cold – except those who wish to own a 38mm version of the watch. Breitling launched the watch with a team of ambassadors from Navitimer Squad, NBA superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, principal dancer Misty Copeland of the American Ballet Theater, and aviation pioneer and explorer Bertrand Piccard. Navitimer has really come a long way over the past 70 years.
If you are familiar with Breitling, chances are you are familiar with aviation timekeeping. But for a long time, it was positioned as a watch designed for pilots and astronauts. With this new product line, Breitling opened its doors to everyone. In any case, no one uses a slide rule in the cockpit anymore. This is an attractive Navitimer for those who have never touched an airplane’s sticks and rudders before. It’s less serious and more fun-focused in 2022. I doubt they will make a mint green dial for the Navitimer in 1952, but in 2022 it looks good.
Base
Brand: Breitling
Model: Navitimer
Reference number: AB0137211B1P1, AB0137211B1A1, AB0137211C1P1, AB0137211C1A1, AB0137241L1P1, AB0137241L1A1, RB0137241G1P1 or RB0137241G1R1, AB0138211B1P1, AB0138211B1A1, AB0138241G1P1, AB0138241G1A1, AB0138241K1P1, AB0138241K1A1, AB0138241C1P1, AB0138241C1A1, AB0138241L1P1, or AB0138241L1A1
Diameter: 46mm, 43mm, 41mm
Thickness: 13.96mm, 13.69mm
Case material: stainless steel and red gold
Dial Color: Various Dial Colors
Index: Apply baton luminous
: Super Luminous
Waterproof: 30 meters
Strap/Bracelet: Leather Strap
sports
Movement: Breitling self-made movement 01
Functions: Hour, minute, second, 1/4 second, 30 minute and 12 hour totalizer
Diameter: 30 mm
Thickness: 7.2mm
Power reserve: 70 hours winding
:automatic
Frequency: 28,800 times/hour
Jewelry: 47
Chronograph Certification: COSC Certification