In addition to watches like the Rolex Daytona and the Omega Speedmaster, the Navitimer from Breitling is without a doubt one of the greatest and most important chronographs of all time, given its rich history, rugged beauty, and synonymity with quality. While Breitling produces the Navitimer in wide range of different variants today, it’s worthwhile to look back at the origins of this pilot’s chronograph, to see where the brand’s designers are currently looking to for inspiration.

The Navitimer’s story begins in 1952, when Breitling manufactured a stainless steel chronograph, with a black dial that featured the emblem of the “Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association”, or as it’s more commonly known, the AOPA. Especially desirable early examples were powered by either the Venus 178 or the Valjoux 72 – both workhouse, manually wound chronograph movements.

These watches were effectively born out of a partnership between Breitling and the AOPA, since Breitling saw the sizeable interest for a professional pilot’s chronograph equipped with a number of useful scales surrounded by a slide rule bezel, and many members of the AOPA were among those interested. From then on, Breitling would continue to produce both functional and beautiful Navitimer pilot’s chronographs, that would be worn by tasteful collectors, and celebrated by professional pilots. Today, rare vintage Navitimer references will often sell for astonishing prices at auction.

Now knowing that the Navitimer is watch with a storied past, it’s nice to know to that as the brand has progressed through the years and evolved, they’ve still managed to channel the core DNA of what made some of their early watches so great. A watch that supports this notion perfectly is this one – the Ref. K13322 in brilliant 18K yellow gold. Even though this watch has a vertical stack of chronograph registers unlike what’s seen on classic 1950’s and 1960’s pieces, it maintains key details of the original watch, like the scientifically styled, highly legible numeral and scale font, along with the contrasting red accents, and iconic Breitling logo.

Breitling has also incorporated a number of modern conveniences into the watch’s movement, to give it a reliable and luxuriously hassle-free ownership experiences. These conveniences include a Swiss made automatic movement with a power reserve of up to 42 hours, and a date complication located just between the brand logo and model designation on the glossy dial at 3 o’clock. Pair all of that with a hand crafted crocodile strap, with a Breitling signed buckle in matching 18K yellow gold, and you’ve got an awfully good looking timepiece, backed by years of history and watchmaking tradition.

While collector’s tastes are beginning to diversify more and more in 2016’s watch market, you can never go wrong with a true legend of modern watchmaking, like the Navitimer. Such watches are sure to provide years of versatile wear and perpetual delight for generations to come. You really just can’t beat the classics, can you?

Author of this Article: Paul Altieri is the Founder and CEO of the popular pre-owned watch site Bob’s Watches.

Breitling has finally released their Navitimer 46 in Blacksteel, a move that I believe many were waiting for and expecting. This is just another step in Breitling bringing the black steel material to more and more pieces in the range. If you’ve been in a Breitling boutique lately, you’ll notice the growing trend of black watches in their line-up, and some of the limited editions are looking pretty incredible.

The legend turns black
A highly exclusive version of the large-size Navitimer, Breitling’s “Navitimer 46 Blacksteel” is distinguished by its all-black exterior, its two-counter dial, its black oscillating weight and its new strap featuring an aircraft tire-tread pattern.

See the model here:
http://www.breitling.com/en/models/navitimer/navitimer-01-46-mm/versions/news/?utm_source=newsletter-public&utm_medium=e-mail&utm_campaign=navitimer-46-blacksteel&utm_content=text

Breitling re-releases the Navitimer Datora under a new moniker with a new larger size and regular Navitimer dial and limited to 1884 pieces – enter the Navitimer 1884. Gone are the inner red ring that was common to the Montbrillant line, but the same Breitling 21 movement survives along with a (slightly) cleaner Navitimer dial. Not an extremely interesting release from Breitling, but solid and brings back the month/day/date complication in the Breitling 21 movement.

Breitling has released a “normal-sized” Limited edition of their Navitimer 01, the one that’s 43mm. This is probably one of my favorite released from Breitling in recent times. Its a great color combo on the dial, with a sweet black rotor in the back. All that’s missing is a black ceramic case! But overall I really do like the execution on this… subtle, but different enough. It was announced by a member on our forums way back in November, but no news of it on the site until the other day, and it is already available in stores as one of our members has just recently got it.

From Breitling:

The legend in gray and black livery

Breitling is introducing its famous Navitimer in a 1000-piece limited edition with a dark gray dial featuring black counters and a Manufacture Breitling caliber equipped with a black oscillating weight. The new face of a watchmaking and aviation legend.

Being a great classic means starting with a powerful design and being capable of self-renewal. First launched in 1952, the Navitimer handles these two aspects as deftly as a skilled pilot maneuvers his aircraft. In more than 60 years, it has established itself as a cult object for devotees of aviation and the doyenne of all mechanical chronographs produced worldwide. Alongside the flagship model with its black dial and silver counters, it also regularly adopts new and distinctive faces, such as that of the new Navitimer 01 Limited Edition. This exclusive instrument issued in a 1000-piece series is distinguished by its dark gray dial featuring a sunburst brushed finish that subtly offsets the black counters. The result is an original, technical and eminently masculine look enhanced by indications made using the “par épargne” technique against a pure silver backdrop. While the dial side with its famous circular aviation slide rule reflects Breitling’s privileged ties with the aeronautical world, the caseback provides a window onto another of the brand’s stronghold that explains its success among aviators: impressive mastery of mechanical chronograph movements. The Navitimer 01 Limited Edition is powered by Manufacture Breitling Caliber 01. This high-performance ‘engine’, entirely developed and produced in the company workshops and chronometer-certified by the COSC (Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute), is a guarantee of peerless precision and reliability. Echoing the special dial decoration, the oscillating weight visible through the transparent sapphire crystal caseback features a black coating lending an original touch. The Navitimer 01 Limited Edition is available with a steel bracelet, or with leather or crocodile leather straps in various colors. All of which represents abundant additional energy further propelling it on its legendary onward flight through time.

Link to Breitling Article

First of all, I should mention this is the 44mm Chrono-matic from 2006-2008, not the larger more commonly seen Chrono-matic 49 that was produced from 2009-2011. This is still a substantial watch that has considerable wrist presence due to its 44mm diameter.

As shown above, I have the watch mounted on a Navitimer Bracelet, with the swivel end lugs, which is different from the fixed lugs that all of the modern Navitimers have.

Just for kicks, here is a photo of one of the original Breitling Chrono-Matics from the 70’s. Second watch from the left:

The above photo was taken from one of the 70’s catalogs that I have scanned on the site here if you are interested.

As you can see, there are some similarities between the vintage and the modern version, particularly with the execution of the bezel, case and hands.

The Breitling Chrono-Matic features a two-subdial layout with date at 6 o’clock and a left-crown designed case. The movement is the Breitling 41LC Caliber, which is based on the ETA 2892 but is modified for a Left Crown layout.

The watch’s sapphire crystal features Anti-reflective coating, as evidenced by the bluish hue on the crystal’s surface, and the striking red chronograph second hand further enhances the watch’s retro-styling. I particularly like the interlaced boxes that surround the subdials and the date.

The back of the watch is the standard “vintage” Breitling caseback, featuring a vintage style and stylized “B” on it, similar to the case back that is used on the SuperOcean Heritage line.

Here is a side shot on the wrist, to show how lean the watch is on the wrist. It is not a thick watch, and wears quite well. I believe it is officially listed at 13.6mm.

Overall a superb watch that gains me many compliments. For some reason the combination of the silver dial and the retro style just tick all the right boxes and balances really well. My wife even tried to take it away from me! Not often something that happens, particularly with a Breitling.