The Navitimer is the modern tribute to the classic aviator chronograph watch. With a unique and attractive style, the timepiece invites you to a world where the spirit of aviation and tradition are peerless values. With its ingenious slide rule and a design catered for professional pilots, this superior instrument gained its cult status in the field of aviation.
The first Breitling Navitimer was introduced in 1952 and its success was unparalleled. The model was selected as the official watch of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA). This special decoration is also the reason why the B winged logo is found on almost every Navitimer dial. It is a symbol for the amazing collaboration between pilots and Breitling.
The brand’s achievements continued in 1962 when its special edition Navitimer named Cosmonaute went into space on the wrist of astronaut, Scott Carpenter. The timepiece is also famous for its role as the preferred watch of James Bond in the 1965 “Thunderball” movie starring Captain Derval.
The amazing success of the Breitling Navitimer has turned it into a much sought after timepiece, not just for those who can afford it, but also for people that would rather pay a couple hundred dollars for a knockoff. This lead to the growth of a replica market where you can find all types of qualities Navitimer fakes at various prices. The trick here is knowing what the key attributes of an authentic looking replica are, a thing that we will discuss below by comparing the images of a special edition Breitling Navitimer 50th anniversary replica with the ones of the authentic product. This model was launched in 2002 and it is a rare collectible.
The Breitling Navitimer is legendary for its bi-directional rotating bezel with a slide rule on the outer ring that turns the watch into a navigation calculator with a sleek chronograph. The rule serves for calculating average speeds, fuel consumption, climb and descent rates and other essential navigation data. The ratched stainless steel bezel allows easy grip and overall handling. The design of this rule is very important when it comes to a knockoff. The bezel is complex and this makes it difficult to replicate. This can be seen when you take a look at the pictures of the fake Navitimer. The outer metallic part of the bezel doesn’t have the same look. The easy grip margins are more rugged and have pronounced corners whereas the ones on the replica are more rounded. Also, the inside rule has different style of indexes and gradations. The font is different, the size of the numbers is smaller and the gradations are not as spaced apart and long as on the genuine watch.
The 50th Anniversary Breitling Navitimer comes with a black dial, three white subdials and a date window that is located between 4 and 5 o’clock. The face of the watch is a little bit crowded as on all types of Breitling watches, but its core quality is also present- it has an intriguingly superior legibility. Now, regarding our replica watch this doesn’t have such a poorly cloned dial, but there are small differences that give it away and these are: the 50th anniversary logo which is in a different shade of gold, smaller and more spaced apart from the 12 o’clock hour marker, the date aperture that says “DATE” above it when it should have this word printed below it, the seconds hand has a different type of arrow tip, and the 3 small dials that with incorrect markings.
The case of the watch measures 42.1 mm, is 15 mm thick and is manufactured from solid stainless steel which has been completely brushed. The solid case back is made from the same material and has the same brushed finish. Also, the rear of the watch features the specific Navitimer markings, plus the 50th anniversary logo and wording. Unfortunately, the pictures of our replica show a Navitimer that has only the front of the case brushed, the back is polished and instead of the special edition logo on the center of the case back it appears to have the winged symbol.
Breitling Navitimer is one of the most popular chronographs in the world of classic aviation watches. It is the undeniable star of the Breitling collection, a professional instrument that has served as an essential method of calculations for generations of pilots. Its heritage goes on even in the modern days by being an exceptional ally both on land and in the air.