BACK TO BASICS: THE VERSATILE NAVITIMER GMT AND AUTOMATIC 41
Breitling played a key role in the emergence of commercial flight. Its onboard timekeepers became standard equipment, first in propeller planes and later in the jets produced by the world’ s leading aircraft manufacturers. When the design of the Breitling Navitimer came out in 1952, it was an instant hit with airline pilots in the then-nascent field of civil aviation.
The Navitimer featured a circular slide rule that allowed pilots to make critical calculations, such as rate of climb and fuel consumption. In those glory days of commercial air travel, the Navitimer was the original wrist-worn onboard computer and ultimately established Breitling as the“ Official supplier to world aviation”.
As civil aviation expanded, so did the Navitimer’ s fame, attracting not just pilots but also trendsetters such as Miles Davis and Serge Gainsbourg, becoming a beloved icon in both aviation and pop culture.
Breitling began redesigning the Navitimer line in 2022, starting with the original chronograph. Today, it continues that update with two new pared-down executions: a GMT and a three-hand Automatic, each in a universally wearable 41-mm size.
These pieces distill the Navitimer’ s iconic look, omitting the chronograph yet preserving a balanced dial composition. The central placement of the 24-hour scale on the GMT and the Automatic’ s clean face ensure the intricate slide rule stands out while streamlining the overall aesthetics.
Further refining the collection, Breitling incorporated a notched bezel for a contemporary touch, and alternating polished and brushed finishes that add a dynamic play of light. Straps in alligator leather and bracelets with a seamless butterfly clasp offer comfort and convenience.
The palette includes black, blue, silver, ice blue, and green dials, encased in stainless steel or 18 k red gold, and a two-tone variant for the Automatic. The full-gold versions carry the Origins label, signifying responsibly mined gold in line with the Swiss Better Gold Association’ s environmental and social standards.
This reinvention of the Navitimer, marrying the classic with the contemporary, is tailored for enthusiasts and the style-conscious alike, promising Breitling’ s commitment to heritage and innovation in each timepiece.
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