What kind of watches do top celebrities choose? Celebrity Watch Hunting is a series of columns showcasing moments from celebrities around the world. This time, we'll be looking at the watch worn by trumpeter Miles Davis, one of the most important figures in jazz history!
Miles Davis
Even after his death in 1991, the late Miles Davis is still remembered as the "King of Jazz." Born in Illinois in 1926, he joined alto saxophonist Charlie Parker's band at the young age of 18 and was a solitary trumpeter who continued to reign at the forefront of the jazz world.
When discussing Davis' music, it's impossible to avoid the changes he brought to modern jazz. This change was particularly noticeable from the 1950s to the 1960s. Looking back at Davis' appearances at the time, we can see that his stage attire changed in line with his musical style. In this article, we'd like to introduce a watch that adorned his wrist, reflecting this era.
The watch in question is Breitling's Navitimer, the world's first chronograph with an aviation slide rule, which was launched in 1952. It is one of Breitling's best-selling models, and shows no signs of slowing down, with the first ladies' model released in 2020.
Breitling "Navitimer"
The first photo shows Miles Davis on stage in a double-breasted striped suit and Navitimer in 1959. He had been active as a member of an acoustic jazz band for about 15 years.
As he steadily began to build his reputation, he released one of his most famous works, "Kind of Blue," featuring renowned jazz pianist Bill Evans and saxophonist John Coltrane. This album was praised for pioneering the world of modal jazz and was a great demonstration of his innovativeness as he began to explore new methods of modern jazz.
The second photo shows Davis in 1969. The watch is likely the same Navitimer he wore ten years earlier, but the strap has been changed to a wider wristband.
Davis's 1969 album was released around the time of his masterpiece, Bitches Brew. At the time, Miles was a fan of James Brown and Jimi Hendrix, and perhaps influenced by them, the album boldly incorporated elements of funk and rock. The electric sound, created by amplified instruments, set it apart from the modern jazz of the time, sparking controversy, with critics saying, "This isn't jazz." However, there's no doubt that it would have a major impact on jazz in the 70s and beyond.
At this time, Davis was wearing avant-garde fashion to match his music, and he placed even more importance on showing off, always accessorizing his trumpet-playing wrist with a large bracelet. The latter Navitimer was also modified to suit Davis's tastes. A Breitling PR representative confirmed there was no record of Breitling offering a wristband replacement service at the time. This suggests that the wristband was custom-made to match Davis's image.
As an aside, whenever I look at these photos, I can't help but feel a sense of admiration for Davis's pride as a top player. In each one, the length of his sleeves and the placement of his accessories are exquisitely chosen. They offer a glimpse of a man with a keen sense of self-expression. A highly sensitive man, he must have always been on edge while playing the trumpet, and I believe the resulting tension must have touched so many people's hearts.
