Breitling Navitimer is a very recognizable signature replica 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, climb/fall rate, and more. With its sliding regular border, you can convert currency, temperature, and even do long division.
But while the Breitling Navitimer is a highly functional, industry-specific watch, it is 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 airplanes, most notably John Travolta, who famously wore nautical clothes and flew his own plane. Widely regarded as the flagship model of various replica Breitling watches, Navitimer is a true industry classic. If you want to add a special pilot watch to your collection, here’s everything you need to know before you buy it.
Breitling tried to stay afloat during the financial crisis, even launching a nap timer-led digital product, but those efforts failed to spur sales. After Breitling’s bankruptcy, however, Navitimer was still coming out in fun. While the Navitimer was signed with all the Breitling components, the Breitling was removed from the dial and replaced with “Sinn”, the name and shares of Navitimer bought by Helmut Sinn, the German manufacturer, when the company sold it. These watches are usually not sought after because they are not strictly Breitling watches, but they represent a very interesting part of the brand’s history and provide a great retro look and feel.
The first modern Breitling Navitimer to be introduced to the market featured a redesigned Valjoux 7750, which you may be familiar with because it is the most frequently used automatic timing movement in the world. During that time, we also got new versions of the navigation timer, such as the onboard timer with four sub-turntables, and the old navigation timer with a nice connection to the original 806 models. The watch is collectible because of 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, internal fake Breitling caliber B01 movement. This automatic timepiece features 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 simultaneously) and a B17 located in a non-chronograph automatic 41 watch without the characteristic sub-dials. Regardless of the specific model, all Breitling Navitimer replica watches have a unique design and historical connection to the brand’s rich aviation heritage.