The story behind this Breitling Navitimer 01
In 1952, Breitling was commissioned by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association to create a chronograph for its members. The brand then engraved a circular slide rule around the edge of the dial, driven by the rotating bezel, which allowed the wearer to calculate average speed, fuel consumption or distance without taking the watch off their wrist. The name Navitimer combines ‘navigation’ and ‘timer’. With the Navitimer 01, Breitling houses its in-house Calibre 01 within this case, assembled, tested and adjusted in its workshops in La Chaux-de-Fonds. The AB0127E3/BE81 is a limited edition of 1,000 steel watches, whose black and brown dial breaks with the black and silver colour scheme of the standard versions.
Case, calibre and strap of this Navitimer 01
The polished steel case measures 46 mm in diameter. Its notched bezel rotates the slide rule scale, and the crown, bearing the brand’s ‘B’ logo, is flanked by two round pushers. The dial, black in the centre and brown around the edge, features three brown sub-dials with an azure finish, an applied gold winged logo, luminescent baton hour-markers and a date window between the 4 o’clock and 5 o’clock positions. The gold, luminescent hands stand out clearly against the black background, and the chronograph seconds hand is red. The domed sapphire crystal is anti-reflective on both sides. The sapphire caseback, engraved with ‘Navitimer Limited Edition of 1,000 Pieces’ and ‘Tested to 3 Bars’, reveals the Breitling Manufacture Calibre 01, an automatic chronograph with a column wheel and vertical clutch, certified as a chronometer by the COSC. It beats at 28,800 vibrations per hour, features 47 jewels and offers a power reserve of 70 hours. The watch is water-resistant to 30 metres. It is fitted with a brown leather strap with ecru topstitching, fastened with a Breitling steel pin buckle, and a second black leather strap with white topstitching allows the look to be changed.
Why this Breitling watch
The 46 mm Navitimer 01 has been discontinued by the brand, and this edition, limited to 1,000 pieces, is now only available second-hand. The large diameter makes the slide rule and sub-dials easier to read than on the collection’s more compact cases. The black and brown dial, complemented by gold hands, lends a warmer tone than the classic Navitimer configuration, without detracting from its function as an instrument. Serviced by Breitling in 2023, this example is a limited-edition piece with service records documented by the brand, complete with its full set of accessories and an additional strap.
Contents and condition
The watch is supplied in its Breitling case and outer box, with the international warranty card dated October 2017, the slide rule instruction booklet, a cardboard circular slide rule and an additional black leather strap. It is accompanied by the quotation and pro forma invoice for the service carried out by Breitling in March 2023, which included a movement check, replacement of the gaskets, a water resistance test and replacement of the crystal. It is in very good condition, with a few minor scratches on the case, typical of a pre-owned watch.
Warranty and delivery
The Swiss Collector guarantees the authenticity of this watch, which is covered by a 24-month warranty. We accept returns within 10 days in accordance with our terms and conditions. As Switzerland’s leading second-hand retailer, backed by the largest network of shops, we offer online booking for a fitting and collection in-store, or fully secure international delivery.
* Very good condition – watch has been worn. Slight signs of external wear. Case and strap in excellent overall condition.
