In the world of luxury watches, there are only a few names that stand out in the business, and for different reasons. With a plethora of niche groups associated with the industry, some timepieces appeal to drivers, others to travelers, and still there’s another sect of watches that are geared towards pilots. Breitling is the frontrunner brand in the aviation category, having been established for over 125 years and in that time producing the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association’s official watch. With the anniversary of its iconic Navitimer chronograph approaching, Breitling is introducing a new, limited edition watch that celebrates the original with modern updates.
When it was first introduced in 1952, an era that preceded the advent of electronic calculators, the Navitimer was unique in its kind. Its circular slide rule provided simple and fast handling of all calculations related to airborne navigation, making it the only widely-used authentic aviation watch. Many pilots wore the Navitimer for flight preparation and monitoring— it had the incredible ability of calculating average speed, distance covered, fuel consumption and rates of ascent and descent— all characteristics that would be considered impressive on a watch these days, not to mention in the early ‘50s.
The Navitimer reaches its 60th anniversary this year, and with its impeccable make and the respect it demands, it’s no surprise that the watch has been continuously produced since its release in 1952. And this year, Breitling introduces a new version of the benchmark timepiece to celebrate the original in modern style. Its elegant and exclusive 43 mm blue dial earn it the name Navitimer Blue Sky. A silver inner bezel and a red central chronograph seconds hand give it as unique a look as the original timepiece, and is sure to be appreciated for years to come. The Breitling Caliber 01 can be seen through the piece’s transparent case back, which is attached to either a steel bracelet or an exclusive blue crocodile leather strap.
Limited to an exclusive 500 pieces, the Navitimer Blue Sky is considered even more unique due to its self-winding high-frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour, its 70-hour power reserve, and water resistance up to 3 bars. The exclusive anniversary watch is available from $9,020 for the blue crocodile strap and $9,720 for the steel bracelet version.