Breitling celebrates the 70th anniversary of the iconic Navitimer with a redesigned collection that comes with colorful dials and a subtle redesign. The Navitimer B01 Chronograph is now also available in an additional case size of 41mm.

In 1952, Willy Breitling developed a chronograph with a circular slide rule on the outer flange that allowed pilots to perform all necessary flight calculations directly on the wrist. The Navitimer – short for “navigation timer” – was born. Two years later, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), the largest aviators’ club in the world, chose this very watch to become its official timepiece. Feeling honored by the AOPA’s decision, the Swiss chronograph specialist integrated the association’s winged logo at 12 o’clock on the purist black dial of the pilot’s watch, which has now found its way back onto the dial.

Since its maiden flight seven decades ago, the Navitimer has been flying high and become one of the most sought-after pilot’s watches. Beloved by airline captains and aircraft enthusiasts, it even made its way into space on the wrist of astronaut Scott Carpenter in 1962 as a 24-hour timepiece to tell day from night. And it wasn’t only pilots who were drawn to the watch’s unique combination of functionality and tools-like aesthetic. Celebrities of the day, such as Miles Davis, Serge Gainsbourg, Jim Clark and Graham Hill, loved the Navitimer, proving that the airborne watch was also very stylish beyond the cockpit.

When redesigning the latest squad, Breitling obviously stayed true to its roots. From a distance, all new Navitimer B01 Chronograph models are unmistakably Navitimers, featuring the signature elements such as the circular slide rule, the baton indexes, the three counters and the notched bezel. Up close, however, enthusiasts will spot some modern refinements. Among them are the thinner slide rule and a domed crystal protecting the dials. Alternating polished and brushed finishings lend the metal elements a lustrous, yet understated quality. As a nod to the history, the AOPA logo is positioned beneath 12 o’clock.

A slimmer silhouette of the oscillating weight enhances the view through the exhibition caseback onto the C.O.S.C.-certified Breitling manufacture caliber 01. This selfwinding movement which is equipped with a column wheel and a vertical clutch comes with a five-year warranty and provides approximately 70 hours of power reserve. Also new is the date indication which is now integrated in the subdial at 6 o’clock.

The Navitimer Chronograph B01 debutantes are offered with a diameter of 46, 43 and 41mm in stainless steel or red gold with a leather strap or bracelet. Navitimer enthusiasts and collectors will appreciate thew colorways such as blue, green, silver, light green and copper. The price for the Navitimer Chronograph B01 41mm in stainless steel with a leather strap is $9,000. The Navitimer Chronograph B01 43mm (stainless steel & leather strap) retails for $9,100 and the 46-mm-variants with the same combination for $9,200.

To learn more, visit Breitling, here.