There was a time in the not too distant past when Breitling was considered a bit of a one watch wonder.
That watch was the Navitimer, and it is to the credit of CEO Georges Kern and his team that the famous pilots’ watch is now part of a much broader and carefully positioned portfolio of successful styles.
Navitimer might not even be the most popular chronograph in Breitling’s arsenal.
The panda eyes layout of the Top Time and classic retro look of the Super AVI line are proving to be highly desirable.
Navitimer may reclaim its crown this year (if it ever lost it) with the launch of a full collection to mark the watch’s 70th anniversary.
“We don’t throw the term icon around lightly,” says Mr Kern, adding: “The Navitimer is one of the most recognisable watches ever made. It’s on collectors’ lists of the greatest watches of all time. What began as a tool for pilots has gone on to mean something profound to every single person who has had this timepiece along on their personal journey.”
It was back in 1952 that Willy Breitling developed a chronograph wristwatch with a circular slide rule that would allow pilots to perform all necessary flight calculations.
Two years later, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) adopted the watch as its official timepiece and the association’s winged logo was emblazoned at 12 o’clock, marking the birth of the navigation timer, or Navitimer.
The sixties and seventies saw the blossoming of commercial airlines, and the Navitimer became the watch of choice for pilots who flew around the world like modern day gods.
Breitling is looking to recapture that excitement in the 70th anniversary editions, which come in five colours: green, blue, black, silver and copper.
They also come in a range of sizes, 41mm, 43mm and 46mm, all housing the Breitling Manufacture Caliber 01 with 70 hour power reserve — enough to circle the globe twice.
It can be bought in either steel or 18ct red gold, and on a choice of leather strap or bracelet.
The layout is classic Navitimer, with a circular slide rule, baton indexes, trio of chronograph counters, and notched bezel for easy grip.
They collection has even gone back to using the AOPA wings at the original position of 12 o’clock on the dial.
A new Navitimer Squad of brand ambassadors has been assembled for the anniversary comprising basketball superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, American Ballet Theatre principal dancer Misty Copeland, and aviation pioneer and explorer Bertrand Piccard.
The entry level watch in the collection is the steel Navitimer B01 Chronograph 41mm on an alligator strap, which is priced at £6,850.
Breitling Navitimer prices
NAVITIMER B01 CHRONOGRAPH 41:
Steel on alligator strap, £6,850
Steel on bracelet, £7,050
18K red gold on alligator strap, £14,000
18K red gold on 18K red gold bracelet, £28,500
NAVITIMER B01 CHRONOGRAPH 43:
Steel on alligator strap, £6,950
Steel on bracelet, £7,150
18K red gold on alligator strap, £14,500
18K red gold on 18K red gold bracelet, £29,000
NAVITIMER B01 CHRONOGRAPH 46:
Steel on alligator strap, £7,050
Steel on bracelet, £7,250
18K red gold on alligator strap, £15,000
18K red gold on 18K red gold bracelet, £31,000
