Breitling celebrated its 140th birthday in 2024 with a trio of anniversary watches that featured the first in-house perpetual calendar movement in its storied history, the calibre B19. Among the three novelties was a limited-edition 18k red gold Navitimer with a gold-hued sunray dial to match; a fitting watch for an impressive milestone.
However, with just 140 pieces available (one for every year of Breitling’s existence) at £48,000, we had a feeling it was just a matter of time before we saw a new version enter the catalogue as part of the main collection.
That brings us back to the present day, where Breitling has done exactly that in the form of the Navitimer B19 Chronograph 43 Perpetual Calendar – this time boasting a 43mm stainless-steel case, platinum bezel, and a very striking ice blue dial.
The Navitimer needs very little by way of introduction. Launched in 1952, this multifunctional model featuring its iconic circular slide rule and chronograph complication capable of performing a host of onboard calculations, it is the pilot’s watch. Indeed, the original ref 806 became the official watch of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) not long after it was launched. In the pantheon of lauded watch designs, it’s among the most instantly recognisable.
The Navitimer B19 Chronograph 43 Perpetual Calendar builds on more than 70 years of heritage with a new in-house movement that brings the convenience of a perpetual calendar to this highly functional watch.
The Navitimer B19 Chronograph 43 Perpetual Calendar builds on more than 70 years of heritage
The brand has been slowly moving towards Breitling-exclusive movements since it released its flagship B01 manufacture movement in 2009. Nearly two decades later, this represents the 19th iteration of its in-house calibres.
The B19 movement features a highly impressive 96 hours of power reserve, is COSC certified, and has undergone a 16-year aging simulation that includes, among other extreme challenges, 100,000 crown winds, 3,456,000 weight turns, and 60,000 shocks at 500G to ensure that it can withstand the rigours of long-term wear.
When we last sat down with Breitling CEO Georges Kern, he explained that, “our rich history, our technical capacities, the roots of the Breitling family and brand” would form the framework of much of the brand’s forthcoming releases – and so it shows with this new addition to the Navitimer lineup.
Speaking about the new launch Kern said: “It takes a lot for us to use the word icon, but the Navitimer has earned it. Combined with the perpetual calendar chronograph movement, the B19 is a tour de force, never missing a beat for a full century. It’s a watch that will keep time for generations.”
For more information, see breitling.com
