[4K Video] Explaining the Navitimer: The Enduring Appeal of Breitling's Iconic Rotating Slide Rule

The Chronos Japan editorial team presents a video explaining watches, showcasing the beautiful movements and movement of the hands in 4K resolution, while also providing expert commentary from Editor-in-Chief Masamasa Hirota. This time, we'll be introducing the Breitling Navitimer.

Breitling Navitimer B01 Chronograph 43

The unchanging Breitling icon

Breitling developed the know-how for incorporating a circular slide rule into a wristwatch with the release of the first Chronomat in 1942. Utilizing this experience, the first Navitimer was equipped with a miniaturized version of the E6B flight computer.

The difference between the Chronomat and the rotary slide rule is that in addition to addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and the triple system, the Navitimer also has a unit conversion function and can perform aviation calculations such as speed, fuel consumption, and ascent and descent distances. As a result, the American Pilots Association (AOPA) adopted the Navitimer as its official watch. The Navitimer has come to be recognized as a representative collection not only of Breitling but of the entire pilot's watch collection.

This combination of a chronograph and a rotary aviation slide rule remains unchanged in current models. Let's take a look at the appeal of the Navitimer, which has continued to evolve while maintaining its traditions for over 50 years.

Introduction model overview

The current model is equipped with the in-house chronograph movement, Cal. 01. The combination of a robust and highly accurate movement and an aviation-grade circular slide rule remains unchanged. When it comes to the Navitimer, attention tends to be drawn to the internal components, but the exterior is also very unique, with a luxurious mirror-finished case that is unusual for a pilot's watch, and a dial that is created by masking the lettering and then peeling off the masking after plating.