With its deep-rooted influence in the history of aviation, the Navitimerhas linksto some of the most legendary planes ever built. Now, a new limited edition pays tribute to the aircraft of all aircraft, the ultimate expression of performance: the Concorde.
For over 70 years, the Navitimer has taken on many roles, from essential pilots’ tool to cultural icon.
This year, Navitimer Stories will bring these chapters to light across aviation, lifestyle, and technical savoir faire, showing why this remarkable timepiece remains as relevant today as ever.
Created at the height of the jet age, a period of rapid aeronautical innovation, the Concorde redefined what was possible in the sky, cutting trans-Atlantic flight times in half at twice the speed of sound and lifting passengers high enough to glimpse the curve of the Earth. Nicknamed “the White Bird” for its distinctive shape, the Concorde flew higher and faster than any commercial aircraft before or since. Cruising at 60,000 feet, it offered its roughly 100 passengersa rare view of the stratosphere’s deep blue. The supersonic aircraft was a symbol of a time when the world dreamed bigger.
That notion returns in the new Navitimer Tribute to Concorde. Breitling’s iconic pilot’s chronograph, originally created as a tool for civil aviation, meets one of the sky’s most daring achievements. The result merges two: the watch born during the golden age of air travel, and the aircraft that pushed commercial flight into the future. A modern evolution of Breitling’s icon, it isdesigned with the Navitimer’s classic hallmarks and charged with the energy of supersonic travel.
Georges Kern, CEO of Breitling, says, “Flying with the Concorde was like nothing else. Today, travel is a necessary step to reach a destination, but a Concorde flight was an experience in itself. It’s only natural that we pay homage to the50th anniversary of its first flightwith our iconic Navitimer.”
The Concorde’s pioneering spirit is also what defined the Navitimer, a watch that regularly appears oncollectors’ lists as one of the greatest of all time. The Navitimerwas designed in 1952 for the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA). Known as the firstwristwatch flight computer, its patented circular slide rule could perform crucial onboard calculations. And while it began as a practical tool-watch for pilots, its influence went far beyond aviation, becoming the first Swiss wristwatch in space with astronaut Scott Carpenter before finding its way onto the wrists of Formula 1 legends Graham Hill and Jim Clark, and musicians Serge Gainsbourg and Miles Davis, among other cultural icons. Now, over 70 years later, it blends heritage and technical expertise with modern innovation and style.
TRIBUTE TO 50 YEARS SINCE TAKE OFF
The Navitimer B01 Chronograph 43 Tribute to Concorde is expressed through a blue dial in the shade of the stratosphereas seen from the plane, paired with a matching alligator strap. Contrasting white subdials and an inner slide rule reference Concorde’s nickname, the White Bird.
Limited to 593 pieces, it references the Olympus 593 turbojet engines that powered the aircraft. The caseback is engraved with “One of 593,”“Tribute to Concorde,” “Jetliner,” and“Mach 2,” the aircraft’s cruising speed beyond the sound barrier.
The Navitimer Tribute to Concorde brings together two aviation legends.Fifty years after the Concorde’s first flight, it honors an aircraft that redefined what was possible and a belief that the future belongs to those who dream bigger.
BREITLING
Founded in 1884, Breitling is a leading Swiss watchmaker. The innovative company invented the modern chronograph and pioneered the navigational tool watch. Today, it continues to break new ground as a casual, approachable, and sustainable luxury brand, with more than 280 industrial loft-inspired retail locations around the world. Breitling’s collections center around air, land, and sea pursuits, all captured in the brand’s unmistakable modern-retro style. The exceptional quality of every watch movement is confirmed by its status as a COSC-certified chronometer, and the brand remains one of only a handful of independent watchmakers to produce its own manufacture calibers. Today, Breitling is on a mission to do better by creating beautiful products and experiences with better materials, better manufacturing, better packaging, and end-to-end traceability. Combining classic watchmaking with the latest and most sustainable innovations, Breitling is both a company with history and one that is ahead of its time.
FACTS ABOUT THE WATCH
NAVITIMER B01 CHRONOGRAPH 43 TRIBUTE TO CONCORDE
Reference: AB01389C1C1P1
WATCH MOVEMENT
Caliber: Breitling Manufacture Caliber B01
Diameter: 30 millimeters
Depth: 7.2 millimeters
Winder: self-winding mechanical, bidirectional with ball bearing
Power reserve: approximately 70 hours
Number of components: 320
Balance frequency: 28,800 a/h or 4 hertz
Chronograph: column-wheel, vertical clutch, 1/4th second and 30-minute
Display: hour, minute, second
Certification: COSC-certified
CASE
Material: Stainless steel
Diameter: 43 millimeters
Thickness: 13.69 millimeters
Height (upper lug tip to lower lug tip): 49.07 millimeters
Water resistance: up to 3 bars (30 meters)
Glass: cambered sapphire, glareproofed on both sides
Case back: stainless steel, screwed in, sapphire crystal, special engraving
Crown: stainless steel, non screw-locked, two gaskets
Bezel:platinum, bidirectional with circular slide rule
DIAL/HANDS
White and dark blue dial
Super-LumiNova® luminescent indexes, hour and minute hand
STRAP
Blue alligator leather strap with a stainless-steel folding buckle
Size (lug/buckle): 22/18 mm
