The Navitimer is one of a very small handful of watches that is quite simply an undisputed classic. If you say the name, it conjures an immediate image in the mind’s eye: a busy pilot’s chronograph with an uncommon (but completely useful) slide rule bezel. It has the look of a real flight instrument because in a very real sense that’s exactly what it is. But the very idea of what a Navitimer can be has changed a lot in recent years, with the introduction of references that skip the chronograph entirely. The Navitimer is now more than just a single iconic watch, it’s a collection of aviation inspired watches that use the classic as a starting point but branch out into all kinds of new areas.
It’s the kind of thing that purists, frankly, sneer at. But it’s an undeniably shrewd move by Breitling to get the Navitimer name out there, and the watches on the wrists of new customers who may not be interested in a toolish chronograph whose design hasn’t changed much for decades. So now, in an expansion of the collection tied to Breitling’s 140th anniversary, we have a new Navitimer GMT and Automatic 41.
The Navitimer Automatic 41 is perhaps the most straightforward execution of the Navitimer aesthetic, sans chronograph, yet. It’s not the first Navitimer in a 41mm case without a chrono complication, but it is the first without a date at the 6:00 position. This dateless execution is considerably cleaner and will probably be of greater appeal to enthusiasts than prior versions. It’s available in blue, green, and ice blue dials, with either a leather strap or stainless steel bracelet. There’s also a two-tone version with a silver dial if you’re after a more formal look.
The Navitimer Automatic 41 GMT adds the ability to track a second time zone using the Breitling Caliber 32. The ETA based movement has a “caller” style GMT function, which is a bit unfortunate, but it’s still fun to have a new GMT in the Navitimer family. As you can infer from the name of the watch, the case measures 41mm in diameter, and is 11.65mm tall. Dial options include black, silver, or ice blue, and like the Automatic 41 it can be had on a leather strap or bracelet. If you’re looking for something a little more luxe, there’s also a red gold version with a green dial, which is a classic color combination.
While these watches might not appear to the most hardcore Breitling fans, they offer a new way for curious collectors to dip into the Breitling family, which is clearly the whole point. The time only version starts at $5,300 on a strap, while the GMT starts at $5,850. Breitling
