Breitling Navitimer

The Breitling Navitimer is one of the company's most successful models. First introduced in 1952, it is still considered an icon among pilot's watches. The memorable name of this chronograph is a combination of the words "navigation" and "timer" and reveals its purpose: Thanks to its slide rule bezel, this watch can make the same mathematical calculations as an on-board computer. Its functionality goes far beyond that of a typical chronograph. Pilots can use this watch to determine speed, fuel consumption, and climb and descent rates, among other calculations.

Breitling has been outfitting the Navitimer with chronograph calibers developed in-house since 2009. The three-hand watches use movements from ETA or Sellita. Breitling submits all calibers to the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute for chronometer certification.

What's more, Breitling has been offering the Navitimer Chronograph and three-hand models in three different case sizes since 2022. The chronographs are available in 41, 43, and 46 mm, while the three-hand watches come with diameters of 35, 38, and 41 mm. As for materials, you can choose between stainless steel, gold, or even two-tone designs.

The Navitimer collection is also home to an array of special editions, such as the Navitimer 806 1959 Re-Edition. As the name gives away, this reference is a faithful remake of the famous ref. 806 from 1959. Collectors of limited editions should take a closer look at the Navitimer 01 Blue Sky and the Airlines Edition. While the Blue Sky premiered in 2012 in honor of the pilot's watch's 60th anniversary, the trio in the Airlines Edition from 2019 pay homage to three airlines from the golden age of aviation: Pan Am, TWA, and Swissair. The 747 Edition unveiled in early 2023 is dedicated to the Boeing 747 and also has great potential as a collector's item.

There is a great selection of Breitling Navitimer models on the market. Prices run between roughly 3,800 to 35,000 USD. The most affordable are the three-hand stainless steel models known as "Old Navitimers." These timepieces use the chronograph caliber B13, which is based on the Valjoux 7750.

For between 4,200 and 7,500, you can buy watches like the Navitimer Datora with an annual calendar, the Navitimer World which has a GMT function, and the Navitimer Chrono-Matic featuring the renowned Caliber 11.

Prices for more modern versions with the in-house caliber B01 start around 7,500 USD. You will generally only find stainless steel models at this price point; timepieces crafted from 18-karat gold will push 15,000 USD.

The most expensive Navitimers are the rare collector's items, such as the platinum Navitimer 1959 Edition with a blue dial. This model demands some 35,000 USD on Chrono24.

The Navitimer's design has remained virtually untouched since its launch in 1952. The watch has held on to its round case, narrow tapered lugs, and mushroom-shaped chronograph push-pieces. The bezel on most models has a grooved edge that allows for easy grip. However, some versions feature a bezel made of small steel beads. Older versions are protected by acrylic glass, while more recent releases have a sapphire crystal.

The dial design also closely resembles the original. That said, with the different scales for the slide rule, tachymeter, and minute track, as well as the three subdials for the chronograph functions, the dial does seem quite busy. However, if you take a closer look, you'll appreciate the well-thought-out, highly functional design.

The Navitimer Chronograph has been using Breitling's home-grown calibers for over 12 years, usually the caliber B01. This movement boasts a column wheel and a 70-hour power reserve. However, you will also find slightly tweaked calibers like the B03 with a split-seconds function or the manual B09 ticking away inside these watches.

All calibers share the same tricompax layout. You'll thus find the minute counter at 3, the hour counter at 6, and the small seconds at 9 o'clock. The B01 also has a date window that was moved from 4:30 to join the hour counter at 6 o'clock in models produced after 2022. Another feature found on newer Navitimers is the logo of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) at the top of the hour.

The subdials are kept traditional in black, white, or blue. Breitling often combines these colors to create the panda or reverse panda dials that are popular within the watch community. In 2022, the brand injected new life into the color pallet with light blue, beige, and different shades of green. These versions come with a sunburst finish, which is a true feast for the eyes.

You can buy the Navitimer Chronograph B01 with a 41-mm stainless steel case for around 7,500 USD on Chrono24. The larger models with either a 43 or 46-mm diameter use the same movement, but cost a few hundred dollars more. Meanwhile, rose gold models can push 16,500 USD.

Fans of vintage watches will find early Navitimer models from the 1950s particularly exciting. These timepieces bear the reference number806. Most are outfitted with the manually-wound Venus 178 caliber, though some individual pieces get their power from the manual Valjoux 72. Depending on its condition, prices for a Navitimer ref. 806 range from 4,200 to 15,000 USD. Gold-plated models are less sought-after, but similarly priced.

Prices for a Navitimer 806 Re-Edition

If you like the look of the vintage 806 but would prefer a watch with a high-tech in-house caliber, then the remake of this classic may just be the right watch for you. Known as the Navitimer Ref. 806 1959 Re-Edition, Breitling introduced this model in 2019. Aesthetically, the two watches are nearly identical; both have a black dial with black subdials. They also feature all-caps inscriptions and the unsigned winged AOPA logo. The Re-Edition has artificially aged Super-LumiNova on its indices, enabling you to tell the time in the dark. Like the original, the new model uses acrylic glass for the crystal, and like all Navitimer models, this timepiece offers water resistance of 30 m (3 bar, 98 ft).

The COSC-certified Breitling caliber B09 ticks away inside the case. This in-house manual movement is based on the B01. At 40.9 mm in diameter, the current Navitimer 806 is the exact same size as its iconic predecessor.

In 2022, Breitling introduced two more versions of the 806 Re-Edition. They are sold under the name "Navitimer 1959 Edition" and use the same B01 caliber, but are crafted from rose gold or platinum. The gold version features a black dial, while the platinum watch has a blue dial.

Only 1,959 copies were produced of the stainless steel version, which demands a solid 10,000 USD. The gold model was limited to a production run of 159 examples and costs 21,500 USD, while the 59 copies of the platinum model require an investment of 35,000 USD apiece.

The Navitimer 1884 is yet another limited edition. Its name refers to the year Breitling was founded. This model saw the addition of a central pointer date and a day and month display to the already highly functional Navitimer. Breitling fans refer to this combination as "Datora." Be prepared to spend around 6,800 USD for this timepiece.

If you're interested in a model with an annual calendar, you should take a closer look at the Navitimer 1461. Measuring in at 46 mm, this is one of the larger Navitimer models. You can buy a pre-owned edition for the relatively affordable price of 5,500 USD.

Breitling presented the first three-hand Navitimer models, called the Navitimer Automatic, in 2019. Despite their lack of a chronograph function, there's no mistaking these watches for anything other than Navitimers thanks to their prominent beaded slide rule bezels. Design options include a wide range of materials and dial colors. You can also choose from three case sizes: 35, 38, and 41 mm. Each watch gets its power from the Breitling Caliber B17. This movement is based on the time-tested ETA 2824-2 and has a 38-hour power reserve. No matter which model you pick, it will come with sapphire crystal and have a depth rating of 30 m (3 bar, 98 ft).

Stainless steel watches on leather straps serve as the entry point into the collection and are available in all three sizes. Expect to spend between around 3,800 and 4,500 USD on one of these timepieces, depending on its size and dial color. The same watches on stainless steel bracelets will bump the price up by around 220 USD.

The two-tone models boast a rose gold beaded bezel and also come in all three case sizes. Plan to spend between 5,100 and 6,000 USD.

The premium models in the Navitimer Automatic series are made of 18-karat rose gold. Combined with a mother-of-pearl dial, these timepieces ooze opulence. Prices on Chrono24 come in around 25,000 USD.

Breitling introduced the Navitimer 8 in 2018. Right away, it's obvious its design has very little in common with that of the classic Navitimer, which didn't go down well with fans. Breitling thus took the executive decision to rename the collection as the Aviator 8.

At around 3,000 USD, the three-hand models with a date complication are the most affordable options in the line. The Day & Date model is only marginally more expensive.

If you're looking for a chronograph function in addition to the day-date display, the Aviator 8 Chronograph 43 with the Caliber 13 (Valjoux 7750) may be the right watch for you. Prices for this sports watch start at 4,500 USD. For about 1,600 USD more, you can get the version with the in-house caliber B01. If you want to swap out the stainless steel for rose gold, be prepared to spend north of 16,000 USD.

The first automatic chronographs from Breitling to use the Caliber 11 are another popular choice. Next to the Zenith El Primero, this movement was one of the first automatic chronograph calibers. In the 1960s, Breitling, Heuer-Leonidas, Dubois Dépraz, and Büren collaborated to develop the Caliber 11. You can recognize this movement by its left-sided crown. You should be able to find listings for stainless steel copies in good condition on Chrono24 from around 6,000 USD. The gold editions demand over 10,000 USD.

Ten years after its premiere, the Navitimer caused a sensation when it became the first chronograph to enter space on the wrist of an astronaut. Scott Carpenter wore the watch on board the Aurora 7 spacecraft in May 1962. A special feature was its 24-hour scale, which allowed Carpenter to determine whether it was day or night back on Earth.

Breitling has released multiple limited editions of the Navitimer Cosmonaute over the last few decades. One such model debuted in 2022 to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Carpenter's mission. You'll find the manual caliber B02 ticking away inside this timepiece. The bridges of the movement, on display through the sapphire crystal case back, are decorated with various engravings, including Carpenter's name, the Mercury 7 logo, the words "3 Orbits Around the Earth" and a replica of the mission badge. In addition, "First Swiss Wristwatch in Space" is inscribed into the case back itself.

Production was limited to just 362 copies, so you'll need to part with around 16,000 USD to call this special edition your own. If that's not quite in your budget, older versions like the ref. A22322 with the caliber B22 change hands for closer to 5,000 USD.

Above all, the Navitimer's distinct look comes down to the numerous numbers and lines on its dial. You can operate the outer scale by turning the bezel, while the inner scale is stationary. Turning the outer scale against the inner transforms the watch into a round slide rule, enabling you to make a number of calculations necessary for flying.

Using the Navitimer, you can convert land and nautical miles to kilometers. It's also possible to calculate miles or kilometers per hour and the rate of descent or climb. If you know your speed and the time, the Navitimer can determine how far you've traveled. You can also calculate your fuel consumption. Breitling has a user guide available with illustrative examples on their website.