Navitimer 01 AB012012/BB01/435X/A20BA.1

Product Style: Luxury Watch, Luxury Watches

The machinery inside a watch that keeps things ticking is called the movement or a caliber. A synonym of size, the word ‘calibre’, first used as a watchmaking term in 1715, originally referred to the build of a watch movement—the layout, dimensions, shape, and size of the wheels, barrels, bridges and so on. Today the word is a substitute for movement, the complete mechanism with the mainspring, escape wheel, bridges, gear train, and other components, including the rotor in automatic watches. Calibers are either mechanical or quartz-based. While the latter is powered mostly by a battery, the former can either be manual winding or self-would by an oscillating mass or rotor.

HISTORY

Coined from the words navigator and timer, the Navitimer is one of the most legendary collections by Breitling. The birth of the Navimeter as an idea preceded its execution by decades, with the Breitling Chronomat in 1942. Willy Breitling collaborated with the mathematician Marcel Robert to design a slide rule bezel that made the calculation of complex logarithmic values possible. This led to the development of a scale that incorporated the three units necessary for aerial navigation- STAT, KM and NAUT. Pilots all over the world could now perform complicated calculations such as fuel consumption, average or climbing speeds, and so on, by using their Navitimer, which doubled as a calculator. Since its launch in 1952 till today, more than 60 years after its release, the Navimeter has undergone several changes, including an evolution from the manual Venus 178 movement in 1952 to the highly modern automatic movement in 1969, though the side rule bezel has remained a constant component. The first editions of the Navimeter 806 are today highly sought after collectibles.

FEATURES

With dial diameters ranging from 43-48mm, each watch from the Navimeter collection is bold and historically suited for aircraft navigators, by providing easy visibility even in poor lighting. The most distinctive feature of timepieces from this line is the aviation slide rule, perfect for complex calculations such as conversions from kilometers to nautical miles.  Some newer models come with a transparent case back that allows an insight into the immaculate working of Breitling’s certified automatic movement. Though the dials are mainly traditional panda or reverse panda colored, other hues are available for some of the more adventurous wearers. A wide variety of strap or bracelet options are also offered.

ASSOCIATIONS

The Navimeter boasts the post of being the official timekeeper for the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, proving its mettle when it comes to impeccable timekeeping. The collection finds admirers in personalities from all walks of life, including the American actor and pilot John Travolta and French singer Serge Gainsbourg.