£4,995.00
In stock
The Breitling Navitimer B01 Chronograph 43 represents 70 years of aviation heritage refined for modern wearers. This iconic pilot’s chronograph, featuring a distinctive green dial exclusive to Breitling’s online boutique, maintains the legendary circular slide rule that has made it indispensable to aviators since 1952 while incorporating contemporary refinements that enhance both form and function.
Powered by Breitling’s manufacture calibre B01, this 43mm timepiece combines the nostalgic return of the AOPA wings to 12 o’clock with modern enhancements including a flattened slide rule and domed cambered sapphire crystal. The result is a sleeker profile that honours the Navitimer’s storied past, from airline cockpits to space missions, while meeting the demands of today’s watch enthusiasts who value both heritage and innovation.
Condition: Excellent condition
Includes: Original box, papers and purchase receipt
Warranty: Valid until 2027
Shipping: Free UK delivery
In 1952, Willy Breitling developed a revolutionary wrist-worn chronograph with a circular slide rule that allowed pilots to perform all necessary flight calculations. Two years later, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), the world’s largest pilots’ club, announced the design as its official timepiece, and the “navigation timer” or Navitimer was born. This endorsement from nearly every US aviator established the Navitimer as the de facto pilot’s watch throughout aviation’s golden age.
The Navitimer’s appeal transcended aviation, worn by astronaut Scott Carpenter during his 1962 space mission and embraced by cultural icons like Miles Davis and Serge Gainsbourg. This crossover from cockpit to culture proved the watch had style as well as substance. Today’s iteration captures the most classic features while enhancing them with modern refinements, the flattened slide rule and domed crystal create a sleeker profile, while the return of the AOPA wings to their original position sparks nostalgia for aviation enthusiasts.
The Navitimer’s circular slide rule operates through the bidirectional rotating bezel marked with logarithmic scales. By aligning various markers, pilots can perform multiplication, division, and ratio calculations essential for aviation including fuel consumption, climb rates, speed conversions, and distance calculations. While modern avionics have replaced slide rules for primary navigation, the Navitimer’s maintains its utility for backup calculations and remains a symbol of aviation’s analogue era.
The flattened slide rule in this modern iteration improves legibility while maintaining full functionality. The scales remain precise enough for practical use, though most owners appreciate them more for their aesthetic and historical value. Learning to use the slide rule connects wearers to decades of aviation history when pilots relied on these mechanical computers for life-critical calculations.
This green dial represents an online Breitling.com exclusive, originally unavailable through traditional boutiques or authorised dealers. The colour offers a sophisticated alternative to conventional black or blue pilot watch dials while maintaining excellent legibility. The green tone works harmoniously with the stainless steel case and provides enough contrast with the subdials to ensure chronograph functions remain easily readable.
The exclusivity adds collectability beyond the standard Navitimer range. Online-exclusive models often become sought-after in the secondary market due to their limited distribution channels. The green also represents a contemporary colour trend in luxury watches while respecting the Navitimer’s classic proportions and layout, proving heritage designs can embrace modern aesthetics without losing their identity.
The Breitling Calibre 01 represents the brand’s flagship manufacture chronograph movement, developed entirely in-house over five years. The 70-hour power reserve exceeds most competing chronographs, allowing the watch to sit unworn over a long weekend while maintaining operation. The column wheel and vertical clutch architecture ensures smooth chronograph operation with minimal impact on amplitude when engaged.
With 47 jewels and 28,800 vph frequency, the B01 delivers chronometer-level precision while powering multiple complications. The movement’s modular construction facilitates servicing, while the transparent caseback showcases the high-level finishing. This combination of technical excellence and visual appeal places the B01 among the elite of Swiss chronograph movements, justifying its position in Breitling’s flagship model.
The 30-metre water resistance reflects the Navitimer’s purpose as an aviation rather than diving instrument. This rating protects against rain, hand washing, and accidental splashes but isn’t suitable for swimming or water sports. The non-screw-locked crown with dual gaskets provides adequate sealing for everyday situations while maintaining the quick access needed for timing operations.
For a pilot’s chronograph, this water resistance level is appropriate and traditional. The slide rule bezel’s complexity makes achieving higher water resistance challenging without compromising its primary function. Owners should view the Navitimer as a precision timing instrument rather than an all-purpose sports watch, respecting its intended use while appreciating its legendary design.
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association wings’ return to their original 12 o’clock position represents Breitling’s commitment to honouring the Navitimer’s authentic heritage. In 1954, AOPA’s endorsement legitimised the Navitimer as professional aviation equipment, and their logo became integral to the watch’s identity. Various iterations moved or removed the wings, but their restoration to the traditional position resonates with collectors who value historical accuracy.
This positioning also improves dial balance, with the wings complementing the subdial arrangement while providing a focal point at noon. For aviation enthusiasts, the AOPA wings represent more than decoration, they symbolise the watch’s acceptance by the world’s largest pilots’ organisation and its role in aviation history. This detail demonstrates how small design choices can carry significant meaning for informed collectors.
For any purchases online, we offer a 14 day refund as long as they are returned exactly as sold. Any purchases in person are final.
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