Breitling Navitimer

Navitimer is the pilot's chronograph from Breitling. Its defining feature is the circular slide rule on the rotating bezel — a pilot's navigation computer. Development of the line began in 1952 for the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), and some of the chronographs carry the association's emblem at 12 o'clock.

Within the line, the movement is the first thing to consider. Most of the chronographs with date use the self-winding manufacture calibre Breitling 01. Its column wheel and vertical clutch start the chronograph hand without a jump, the power reserve is around 70 hours, and the movement is visible through a transparent caseback. The blue 42 mm chronograph, reference A23322-703, uses the Breitling 23 calibre based on the ETA 7753, with a 42-hour power reserve. The three-hand watches with date — the Navitimer Automatic Chronometer Red Dial and models signed Navitimer 8 — use the automatic Breitling 17 calibre beating at 28,800 vibrations per hour, in a 41 mm case.

Cases are stainless steel, with pink gold on the Navitimer 01 46 mm, and all have sapphire crystals. Dials come in green, blue and black, as well as red, often with a sunburst finish.