Breitling is one of the big powerhouses of the watch industry. Breitling is a private company founded in 1884 in Grenchen, Canton de Soleure, Switzerland specialized in the design, manufacturing and distribution of watches. It’s well known for the highly precise pilot’s chronometer.
1950
They developed a “Fight computer”, this revolutionary system combines a chronograph with a circular slide rule. allowing pilots to calculate average speed, distance and fuel consumption. The name Navitimer is the combination of “navigation” and “timer”.
1960
It became the watch of principal choice among most of the commercial airlines pilots. Not only commercial airlines but also astronauts, Scott Carpenter wears a special one and brings it into space in 1962. Thanks to all this events it reaches an iconic status, gaining fans among celebrities like Miles Davis and Formula 1 champion Jim Clark and Graham Hill.
1970
In this decade Breitling decided to release the Navitimer with an automatic caliber, converting this into one of the first self-winding chronographs in the world. It doesn’t come alone, it comes with new design befitting the bell-bottom era, including also Day-Glo hands on XXL 48 mm-case version.
1980
In 1979, Schneider family acquired Breitling, at the height of the quartz period. They decided to launch a mechanical tribute to the original navitimer. It becomes a symbol of luxury and craftsmanship. It gained a loyal following that included singer Serge Gainsbourg.
1990
Breitling gets “complicated”, enhancing the Navitimer models with most of the traditional complications; perpetual calendar and rattrapante. They also introduced new models, such as the Navitimer Spatiographe, Twenty Sixty and Airborne with new and advanced complications.
2000
2009; Breitling company introduces the first manufactured movement in their chronometrie unit in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. In 2010, they fit it into the Navitimer with this debut of the movement- The Breitling Manufacture Caliber 01.
2010
It is the start of a new era, which began in 2017, when CVC capital partners acquired a large part of the brand, resulting in Georges Kern becoming the new CEO. They unveiled an Airline Capsule Collection, with a tribute to Swiss Air, Pan Am and TWA. Creating a link to the glory days of aviation.
2020
It’s time to fly, the Navitimer resurfaces in style and color. The slimmer lines and new dial shades give the watch a more refined look, although it is still a Navitimer and that is undeniable. This renewal comes with a major signing, Giannis Antetokounmpo is the new face of Navitimer.
Now, we’ll present to you some of the models of Navitimer we have.
Nowadays the Navitimer is an icon in the world of watches.
Discover more about the Navitimer in our website