Introduced: 1952
Purpose / Inspiration: Built for pilots, navigators, and aviation professionals, the Navitimer was the first wristwatch to combine a chronograph with a circular slide rule—allowing pilots to calculate fuel consumption, flight time, airspeed, and conversions right on the wrist. It wasn’t a fashion piece. It was a flight instrument.
Designer: Created by Willy Breitling, in collaboration with the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA)—early models even featured the AOPA wings on the dial.
Materials & Features:
- Originally launched with manual-wind column-wheel chronographs (e.g., Venus 178)
- Updated over decades with Valjoux, Lemania, and ETA/Valjoux 7750 base calibers
- In-house Caliber B01 introduced in 2010, bringing modern power to the classic layout
- Features:
▪️ Slide rule bezel
▪️ Chronograph function
▪️ Bi-compax or tri-compax dial layouts
▪️ Modern sizes from 38mm to 46mm, including compact and GMT versions - Available in stainless steel, gold, and two-tone, often on leather or Navitimer bracelet
Discontinuation Status: Still in full production. Updated under Georges Kern in 2022 for the model’s 70th anniversary, blending vintage design cues with updated mechanics. It remains Breitling’s most iconic and best-known watch.
The Original Pilot’s Chronograph: Not inspired by aviation—created for it.
A Dashboard on Your Wrist: Slide rule + chronograph = complete flight calculator.
Trusted Since Takeoff: From AOPA members in the ’50s to astronauts in the ’60s.
The DNA of Breitling: Everything the brand stands for—in one dial.