When it comes to rugged, masculine luxury watches, many people probably think of Breitling. Among the wide variety of Breitling watches, we will introduce the current model of the flagship collection, the Navitimer.
The Appeal of the Breitling Navitimer
Breitling watches have a special appeal as instruments, which is why there are Navitimer collectors all over the world. Let's take a look at their appeal.
Breitling: The watch connoisseur's choice
Founded in 1884, Breitling views watches as "instruments worn on the wrist" or "instruments for professionals," and places emphasis on functionality and accuracy in time measurement.
Its chronograph technology is particularly outstanding, and it is also worth noting that all models released are COSC (The Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètre) certified chronometers.
It boasts such sporty performance that it has been ordered as a pilot's watch by air forces around the world, and many models are equipped with aviation-use circular slide rules.
Breitling watches have a high level of practical functionality, and their beauty as instruments is sure to appeal to men.
This watch maison is far removed from pretentious dress watches and superficially complicated mechanisms, and is loved by watch connoisseurs who seek truly mechanical, robust timepieces.
The popular Navitimer collection
Breitling gained support from the aviation industry, receiving a large order from the Royal Air Force in 1939. In 1942, they released the world's first chronograph with a rotating slide rule, which allowed arithmetic operations with a rotating bezel.
Following this trend, the Navitimer, equipped with an aviation slide rule, was released in 1952. This model was a wristwatch equipped with the analog flight computer E6B, invented by the US Navy.
The Navitimer, which has the same functions as the E6B, has various scales around the dial. By rotating the bezel and matching the scales on the bezel with the scales on the dial, you can perform multiplication and division. You can also calculate flight distance and time from a map, as well as altitude correction and fuel consumption during flight.
For this reason, even in today's world where digital flight computers are in widespread use, it continues to evolve and remains a timeless classic pilot's watch.
Types of Navitimers
So far, we have briefly explained the features of the Navitimer, such as the circular slide rule and chronograph. Note that among the Navitimers, there are models that omit the chronograph function, even though the basic design of the collection is the same.
Here we will introduce the flagship Navitimer B01, the more complicated B03, and the entry-level automatic model.
Navitimer B01
The Navitimer B01 is a model equipped with Breitling's own automatic movement, Cal. 01.
While a normal movement cannot adjust the date for three to four hours before or after midnight to avoid internal malfunctions, the Cal. 01 has a different mechanism that allows the date to be adjusted 24 hours a day. This is an essential feature for the Navitimer, which often collaborates with airlines.
The crystal is made of domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both sides, and the hour and minute hands are coated with Super-LumiNova, a luminous paint.
Navitimer B03
The Navitimer B03 looks similar to the B01, but differs in that it is equipped with the company's own movement, Cal. B03.
This is Breitling's first in-house developed rattrapante (split-seconds chronograph), and its two chronograph seconds hands allow it to measure the time of two different objects.
In addition, it features the Navitimer's signature 30-minute and 12-hour counters and a bidirectional rotating bezel, making it a highly advanced complication both technically and aesthetically.
Navitimer Automatic
The Navitimer Automatic is a functionally simplified three-hand model without a chronograph function. The movement is the Cal. 17.
The dial has few markings and no push buttons, giving the watch a clean appearance. Instead, the bidirectional rotating bezel is decorated with beads, giving it an elegance that makes it suitable for use as a dress watch.
