Breitling Navitimer 2022: everything you need to know
Breitling is back to celebrate the 70th birthday of its iconic Navitimer. Here’s what you need to know about the new model.
To create the new Navitimer, Breitling had to fish back into the best bits of its 70-year history to create an incredible piece.
Breitling Navitimer 2022: what is it?
The new Breitling Navitimer offers the wearer a lot of choice in 2022. There are 13 new models all up.
First there’s the sizing. You have a choice of 46mm, 43mm or 41mm for the case.
Then, the material. You can choose from either stainless steel for the iconic tool-watch look. Or you can dress it up with Breitling’s gorgeous 18ct red gold.
You may want to consider which dial to choose, also. It’s the Navitimer’s birthday, so Breitling is breaking out the colours. You get a blue, green or copper dial to choose from.
And, for nostalgia lovers, Breitling’s iconic wings are also back at the 12 o’clock position. On previous Navitimer models (such as the Navitimer 1), the wings were sometimes omitted entirely. Not so here, with Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) wings shining bright.
Finally, there’s the strap choice. You can cop a shiny alligator-style strap, or the iconic seven-row metal bracelet.
Every model also features an open caseback so you can admire the COSC-certified Caliber 01 movement.
For the pilots who want to use the Navitimer as the “Navigational Timer” it was originally named, you still get all the gear. The flattened slide rule adorning the watch that made the Navitimer what it is today is still here, as well as a notched bezel for easy adjustment.
It also appears thinner on the wrist thanks to a better domed crystal covering the dial. And the date is back in the 6 o’clock position.
Breitling Navitimer 2022: price and release date
Breitling will start offering the new Navitimer in its boutiques and online store shortly.
A 41mm alligator strap steel Navitimer will start from a hair over $12,000. Meanwhile the same spec in 18ct red gold will run you $25,000.
The 43mm alligator strap steel Navitimer will start from $12,290. The same watch in precious metal (clearly the most popular choice) goes for $52,000.
Finally, the oversized 46mm on an alligator strap in steel starts at $12,490, with its precious metal costing $27,000.
Steeped in history
This new Navitimer doesn’t throw a load of bells and whistles at your wrist in the name of an anniversary.
The Navitimer has been a lot of things in its 70-year history, but the one thing this anniversary outing isn’t is chintzy.
Breitling describes it as a tool-watch that has graduated to become an “icon” in the space. It wouldn’t be far off.
Not every pilot’s watch lands on the wrists of old school cool legends like Miles Davis or Serge Gainsbourg, for example. Especially while still maintaining its status as a bespoke tool-watch.
It even went to space with the Americans in 1962 as a modified zero-gravity timepiece for the early astronauts.
Launched sky-high
To celebrate the launch of the iconic pilot’s watch, Breitling went all out.
In partnership with airline SWISS, Breitling chartered a flight of buyers, journalists and influencers from Zurich to Geneva for this year’s Watches and Wonders.
The in-flight entertainment was a detailed briefing on the new models, and a chance to see them in the metal.
Check out the launch images below.
