I got an email once asking me if the Breitling Caliber 23 had a quickset date, and I replied that it did not. And, it doesn’t, which is odd, since the previous Caliber 13 has one. The Caliber 23 is used in the current standard Navitimer with the 3,6,9 subdial layout.

I got to thinking, about how some of the older non-quickset Navi’s had the ability to let you change the date by turning the hour hand back and forth over the 12 midnight marker and how you could advance the date much more quickly that way, and I wondered if I could do that with my Navitimer. I didn’t want to mess with the date since I would have to move it all the way around to get it back to normal so I tried to look it up online, and found that there were others with this question as well and no answers.

Well I have the answer, and the short answer is yes, kinda. The date can be quick advanced by moving the hour hand to about 8:30pm on mine, then back over 12am.. and the date changes. That is quicker than advancing it all 24 hours. Your watch may not need to go all the way back to 8:30, but mine is about that.

Since I picked up that Silver Navitimer in Toronto, I’ve been wearing two Navi’s…. one of them is a Black model with the Valjoux 7750 style layout, using the Breitling Caliber 13 movement. I think I will be getting rid of this one… If anyone is interested, my asking price is $2300US Shipped + paypal fees 😉

Anyway, this is a great watch… very classic, and the colors Black with white subdials and outer ring are instantly recognizable as a Breitling Navitimer. What better way to start off a Breitling Navi collection right? I am hoping to snag a larger Heritage in either white with black subdials or black with white subdials… this one is dubbed the Old Navitimer II, and is a 2002 Model. COSC ceritfied with all boxes and papers. I really liked wearing this one with a suit, and it keeps time to within 2 seconds a day.

Band is well made, but will need to be replaced. Has a quickset date which is a plus. The new model does not!

Beautiful back and excellect construction… I will be buying more Navitimers in the future. Possibly a Navitimer world or maybe a Heritage next. I also want a Chrono SuperOcean or Chronomat Evolution soon! So many watches, so little time. Keep ’em sharp!

The Navitimer keeps great time, within COSC specs… has a great curved Anti-glare sapphire crystal, and looks fantastic on the wrist. The packaging, as with all Breitling watches is very nice. Though I really like the newer style Breitling pacakging that includes the travel case!

Movement: 9/10
Case/Crystal/Crown: 9/10
Dial/Hands: 9/10
Strap / Buckle / Bracelet: 8/10
Accuracy: 9/10
Comfort: 8/10
Packaging / Manual: 8/10
Overall Impression: 9/10

Breitling just announced a new model, featuring their new in-house quartz movement, the B60. This is a thermal compensated SuperQuartz movement, and pairs nicely with the new Chronospace EVO B60, which is a reasonably sized 43mm Titanium chronograph. This is a no-nonsense watch, for the watch enthusiast who wants a reliable, lightweight quartz chronograph watch and still cares about style.

I think its a great addition to the lineup, and really fits in as Breitling slowly evolves its brand to appeal to a more active sportsman’s tool and instrument watch company. The Navitimers are still the heart of the company but the sportier watches are bringing a different clientele. I’m not a quartz guy myself, but there are times that I can see how having one would be useful. One of the things that I don’t like about quartz watches is the unpredictability of when the battery will need to be changed.

A cool limited edition Navitimer watch to look forward to in the coming months as the Breitling DC-3 begins its world tour. This is a cool journey and will be marked by a cool watch. Certain “privileged individuals” will be joining for certain legs of the flight it seems… wish I was so lucky!

From March to September 2017, the Breitling DC-3 will be doing a grand world tour in several stages, an amazing accomplishment for this legendary plane that will be celebrating its 77th birthday. The crew will not be alone in flying from one continent to the other, since a 500-piece Navitimer limited edition will also be onboard throughout the journey.

Check out the new limited editions DC-3 Navi:

Breitling has launched a new Special Edition of the Blacksteel Chronomat. Featuring a super bright yellow dial with black subdials, it creates a superb contrast against the blacksteel case. The strap features the same color scheme, and the style really seems to resonate with Breitling’s new design direction.

I personally like the style of the more traditional pieces like the Chronoliner and Navitimer, but these watches are pretty cool. I prefer the traditional styles because I find them more timeless – pun intended.

From Breitling:
An exceptional chronograph
A black steel case, yellow dial, tried and trusted sturdiness and a high-performance Breitling Manufacture movement: the Chronomat 44 Blacksteel Special Edition by Breitling is the epitome of boldness.