On the occasion of the Navitimer’s 70th anniversary, Breitling has announced 28 new Navitimer B01 Chronograph references for 2022. Fortunately, half of those references simply refer to whether you choose a leather strap or 7 link bracelet meaning there are only 14 new watches. But that’s still a lot of updated Navitimers so there’s no time to lose, let’s get stuck in.
With a 70-year history, the core elements that characterise the Navitimer are well established. The circular slide rule used for aviation calculations and the tricompax chronograph dial display immediately jump to mind. But even small details like the baton indexes and notched bezel are synonymous with the model and all of them have been preserved here. However, the updated collection for 2022 features tweaks to some aspects aimed at modernising the range and all these changes are the same across each of the new watches.
Breitling Navitimer Ref. 806 from 1959
The most notable update is that the sapphire crystal is now domed and the slide rule has been flattened, a meaningful alteration that changes the watch’s profile. It makes the watch feel more compact, even at its larger sizes. The rotor has also been slimmed, giving better views of the Breitling Calibre 01 through the sapphire caseback.
On the dial, the date window has been moved so that it now intersects the subdial at 6 o’clock, which is potentially a controversial move. In theory it makes the dial cleaner and less cluttered, but in practice it makes the subdial and the date harder to read at a glance. Elsewhere on the dial, something that can only be welcomed is the return of the AOPA (Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association) winged logo at 12. The Navitimer is the official watch of AOPA.
All that remains to talk about are the individual case size, case material and dial colourway options available across the 14 watches. To make things simpler, we’ll break it down by size.
Breitling Navitimer B01 Chronograph 46
The largest of the new Navitimers, there are four 46mm models available. 46mm might seem excessive but there’s a long history of large pilot’s watches, as the increased size makes them easier to read. Plus, pilot’s watches are designed to be worn over the top of a jacket, meaning their size on the wrist is less important.
There are three stainless steel models and one in rose gold. On steel, the dials are a reverse panda (black with white chronograph counters), blue with white counters and finally deep green with black. The gold version is a traditional panda with a white dial and black counters.
Price & Specs
Reference: AB0137211B1P1, AB0137211B1A1, AB0137211C1P1, AB0137211C1A1, AB0137241L1P1 or AB0137241L1A1 (stainless steel models) and RB0137241G1P1 or RB0137241G1R1 (red gold) | Case/dial: 46mm diameter x 13.95mm thickness, stainless steel or 18k red gold case, black, blue or dark green with contrasting chronograph counters, Super-LumiNova® luminescent indexes, hour and minute hands | Water resistance: 30m (3 bar) | Movement: Breitling Manufacture Caliber 01, automatic, COSC-certified, 346 parts | Frequency: 28,800 vph (Hz) | Power reserve: 70h | Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date, chronograph | Strap: Black or brown alligator leather with a folding buckle or 7-row Navitimer bracelet (in stainless steel or red gold) with a butterfly clasp | Price: £7,050 (stainless steel with leather strap), £7,250 (stainless steel with bracelet), £15,000 (red gold with leather strap) or £31,000 (red gold with bracelet), available here.
Breitling Navitimer B01 Chronograph 43
Next is the 43mm versions, which are the most numerous with six watches at this size. In stainless steel there’s a reverse panda, traditional panda and a trio colourful renditions. Those are salmon, sky blue and mint green, each with black counters.
As for the sixth one, it’s another gold edition, this time with a reverse panda dial. The inclusion of a gold model at each size bracket showcases the fact the Navitimer has outgrown its original tool watch purpose. As Breitling’s premier model, it’s now a status symbol in its own right with multiple well known collectors picking them up throughout the watch’s history. The gold reflects its luxe status.
Price & Specs
Reference: AB0138211B1P1, AB0138211B1A1, AB0138241G1P1, AB0138241G1A1, AB0138241K1P1, AB0138241K1A1, AB0138241C1P1, AB0138241C1A1, AB0138241L1P1 or AB0138241L1A1 | Case/dial: 43mm diameter x 13.69mm thickness, stainless steel case, black, silver, copper, ice blue or mint green with contrasting chronograph counters, Super-LumiNova® luminescent indexes, hour and minute hands | Water resistance: 30m (3 bar) | Movement: Breitling Manufacture Caliber 01, automatic, COSC-certified, 346 parts | Frequency: 28,800 vph (Hz) | Power reserve: 70h | Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date, chronograph | Strap: Black alligator leather strap with a folding buckle or stainless-steel 7-row Navitimer bracelet with a butterfly clasp | Price: £6,950 (stainless steel with leather strap), £7,150 (stainless steel with bracelet), £14,500 (red gold with leather strap) or £29,000 (red gold with bracelet), available here.
Breitling Navitimer B01 Chronograph 41
Last up are four 41mm versions, and they’re the most interesting colourways. The blue dial with black counters feels like classic Breitling but it’s the other two that are particularly cool. A full white model with a slightly off white dial and white chronograph counters has a cool technical aesthetic that really emphasises the black scales. Then, there’s a mint green one with white counters that’s reminiscent of the pistachio Premier Heritage last year.
And then there’s the final gold model which has the same full white dial as its steel counter parts. It’s great that each of the different sizes offer something different, even if all of the broad updates are the same across all 14 watches. It means there are lots of factors to consider when choosing which is your favourite. For me, it has to be one of the mint greens or the steel 41 with the white dial.
Price & Specs
Reference: AB0139241C1P1, AB0139241C1A1, AB0139211G1P1, AB0139211G1A1, AB0139211L1P1 or AB0139211L1A1 (stainless steel models) and RB0139211G1P1 or RB0139211G1R1 (rose gold) | Case/dial: 41mm diameter x 13.60mm thickness, stainless steel or 18k red gold case, blue, silver or mint green with contrasting chronograph counters, Super-LumiNova® luminescent indexes, hour and minute hands | Water resistance: 30m (3 bar) | Movement: Breitling Manufacture Caliber 01, automatic, COSC-certified, 346 parts | Frequency: 28,800 vph (Hz) | Power reserve: 70h | Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date, chronograph | Strap: Black or gold-brown alligator leather strap with a folding buckle or 7-row Navitimer bracelet (in stainless steel or red gold) with a butterfly clasp | Price: £6,850 (stainless steel with leather strap), £7,050 (stainless steel with bracelet), £14,000 (red gold with leather strap) or £31,000 (red gold with bracelet), available here.
