A review of the Breitling Navitimer watch

Many look to put their manufacturers as the clocks aviadores clocks but very few of them would be bought by any aircrew for the purpose of aeronautical calculations. Son designer pieces and lack the functionality a real aviator would look at a clock. However, the Breitling Navitimer is genuine aviators clock.

Breitling has a long historical association with the air industry, military and civilian. When Breitling was first established its main business concern was accurate counters for scientific and industrial use. Their expertise to the precision of the clocks did to a watchmaker to be in demand in the industry then, that kept the aircraft. The relationship between aviation and Breitling watches was officially established when, in 1936, British Royal Air Force published the Breitling watches to its aircrews.

The Breitling Navitimer is now over 50 years and is a clock icon. Its design and functionality have changed remarkably little over the years. This chronograph watch can be used to calculate air speed, fuel consumption, the index slope and conversion of standard miles into nautical miles amongst other things – all by using the circular slide rule found in the side of the bezel.

The legendary Breitling Navitimer Cosmonaut still manufactured today and is almost identical in terms of movement and styling as it was when it was first made in 1963 for American Lt Cmdr Scott Carpenter astronaut. He wanted a Navitimer, but because one couldn ‘t say whether it was day or night in space, he wanted 24 versions of the time. Incidentally, this was the first Breitling (and perhaps only modele) entered space.

Each clock has a movement Breitling Cosmonaut string automatically, with a mechanical power reserve of 42 hours (approximately) there is a total of 38 gems that work on 28,800 vibrations per hour. The chronograph function is 1 / 5 seconds, 30 minutes, 12 hours and return time. The case diameter is 41.5mm and is available in minimum steel, two-tone (steel and gold), 18k gold or pink gold. The sapphire crystal is warped it is anti-reflective on both sides.

Another current Navitimer models include the original Navitimer, Navitimer World, Montbrillant, Montbrillant Olympus, Montbrillant Dator and Chrono-Matic.

The World is the largest of the Navitimer collection (case diameter of 46m m), being 10% larger than the original. It consists of 25 jewels and a 2 time-zone, automatic mechanical movement of rope. The case is available in steel, 18k gold or red gold.

Collection Navitimer Montbrillant takes its name from the original location of the Breitling watch factory. I was on this site that back-to-zero movement and circular slide-rule were first designed and manufactured. To commemorate these watches are little more ornate; hands and hour markers are embellished in gold.

The watch of Breitling Chrono-Matic was first developed in 1969 – Breitling created the caliber II, the world ’s Movement for String automatic chronograph. The watch was easily distinguishable by the placement of the crown on the left-hand-side of the deck. These watches still place the crown on the left side. The movement has 38 jewels and each watch has a diameter of 44m m if it is available in steel or gold, or 18k.

While modern technology has eliminated the need for mechanical aviation watches there are those who still appreciate the sophisticated movements of these watches but for those who do, the Navitimer watch from Breitling Final Appeal.