Breitling Navitimer is a very recognizable signature watch. First released in 1954 as a dedicated pilot’s watch, the Navitimer is a powerful timepiece integrated with an analog flight computer that allows pilots to calculate speed, distance, fuel consumption, rate of climb/descent, and more. With its sliding regular edge you can convert currency, temperature and even do long division.
But while the Breitling Navitimer is a highly functional, industry-specific watch, it’s also hugely popular with collectors of all kinds – partly because of its rich history and partly because of its iconic look. Over the years, some big names have sponsored planes, most notably John Travolta, who famously wore nautical attire and flew his own plane. Widely regarded as the flagship model of several Breitling replica watches, Navitimer is a true industry classic. If you want to add a special pilot’s watch to your collection, here’s everything you need to know before you buy it.
Breitling tried to stay afloat during the financial crisis and even launched a navtimer-led digital product, but those efforts failed to boost sales. However, after Breitling’s bankruptcy, Navitimer still came to blows. While the Navitimer was signed with all Breitling components, the Breitling replica was removed from the dial and replaced with “Sinn”, the Navitimer name and stock purchased by Helmut Sinn, the German manufacturer, when the company sold it. These watches are not usually sought after as they are not strictly Breitling watches, but they are a very interesting part of the brand’s history and provide a great retro look and feel.
The first modern Breitling Navitimer to be marketed featured a redesigned Valjoux 7750, which you may be familiar with as it is the most widely used automatic time movement in the world. During that time we also got new versions of the navigation timer, such as the built-in timer with four sub-turntables, and the old navigation timer with a nice connection to the original 806 model. The watch is collectible due to its resurgence in the market, but will soon be overtaken by its successors.
The most important addition to the modern navigation timer is the 01 series, which features the new, in-house Breitling caliber B01 movement. This automatic movement has a fully integrated architecture, COSC certification and an impressive cylinder wheel mechanism. Today the Ling Navitimer 01 defines the set, but we also get the addition of a new Ling Motion update and a complex B03 (allowing the wearer to measure both running times at the same time) and a B17 in a non-chronograph automatic 41 watch without the characteristic sub dials. Regardless of the specific model, all Breitling Navitimer watches have a unique design and historical connection to the brand’s rich aviation heritage.