Breitling unveils the new Navitimer Automatic 41 watch

One of Breitling’s most successful flagship watches, the Navitimer, combines the historical design codes of 1952 with a distinct contemporary elegance. Meet the new Breitling Navitimer Automatic 41 ref: A17326161C1A1.

It has been clear from the get-go that when Breitling underwent new management a few years ago, it was going to try its hand at reaching a wider scope of wearers and collectors. It demonstrated this by changing its dynamic on various levels and in different ways – one being the launch of the first 41mm Breitling three-handed Navitimer watch not so long ago. After this, a date function appeared, proving a success too. This version was available in several dial colours and two case materials, making the Navitimer’s iconic and fashionable three-handed date watch a very versatile and wearer-friendly tool for the office as well as in the cockpit.

The Breitling Navitimer is still a widely collectable instrument, so it comes as no surprise that the prestigious Swiss watchmaker is adding another member to its family. Meet the new Breitling Navitimer 41 watch ref: A17326161C1A1 – a good looking tool watch bearing the distinct pilot’s watch credentials, equipped with the iconic beaded bezel with slide rule function, a compact 41mm steel case and a reliable automatic movement powering away on the inside.

The first Breitling Navitimer watch was created back in 1952, combining the names “Navigation” and “Timer” to create a watch with a clear purpose. Its functionality goes far beyond what the eye can see at first glance, with its ability to complete the same mathematical calculations as an onboard computer. The new Breitling Navitimer Automatic 41 watch ref: A17326161C1A1, like its predecessors, can be used to calculate fuel consumption, along with climb and descent rates and many more measurements. In 2009, the Swiss watchmaker developed the B09 Calibre for powering its Navitimer watches, and since then has released variations such as a split-seconds Ratrappante chronograph and the Navitimer 8 watch – the latter of which stripped the watch back to basics, forgoing the slide rule bezel.

The New Breitling Navitimer watch combines a classic blue dial with the resilient and durable properties of a traditional stainless steel case. Its distinct aesthetic certainly pays tribute to the original Navitimer watch of the 1950s but bridges the gap between a vintage-inspired watch and a modern tool. The indexes around the hour track of the new Breitling Navitimer Automatic 41 watch are the slim stick or baton-type and have been accompanied with a set of refined central hour and minute hands coated with a layer of Super-LumiNova. This material assists with keeping track of accurate time whilst under light-limiting conditions or during the night.

The central second hand is tipped with a vibrant emergency red colour and shaped into an arrow motif. Its counterbalance weight at the base of the hand is, in true Breitling style, crafted into the brand’s iconic “B” shape. Towards the centre of the dial is the Breitling lettering and logo, positioned above the “Chronometer Navitimer” reference towards the bottom of the dial. This chronometer certification extends the warranty of the watch and represents the strict tests that each Breitling watch is subject to before attaining such a high level of certification. At the 6 o’clock position is a date window dressed against a black background. As with all Breitling watches, the dial of the Navitimer Automatic 41 watch is protected against a lens of sapphire crystal glass that has been treated with anti-reflective technology on both sides.

The Navitimer’s slide rule bezel

It would be an injustice not to mention the slide rule bezel when talking about the new Navitimer watch. The markings on the dial relating to the watch’s slide rule bezel are the USP of the majority of the watches from this popular collection. The feature is specifically engineered to meet the needs of the pilot, assisting with many important tasks. Interestingly, Breitling’s slide rule bezel was not designed for pilot use initially. It first featured in the Chronomat watch. The Breitling Navitimer, with a quick twist of the bezel, carries out complicated arithmetic for the pilot. Despite its complex appearance, the slide rule bezel of the new Breitling Navitimer Automatic 41 watch ref: A17326161C1A1 is relatively simple to operate.

The red references are unit index markers and are zeroed for different scales. The single and double indexes represent units of 100 so if an answer to your calculation reads 32.5, you’ll know it is, in fact, 325. You can use the slide rule bezel of the new blue and steel Breitling Navitimer Automatic 41 watch for things like multiplication by aligning the unit index 10 on the outer scale with the number of the first part of your multiplication sum. For example, aligning the marker to 9 will give you all the multiplications of 9. Then, on the inner scale, find the number you want to multiply 9 by, which will give you your answer. The reverse is carried out when calculating division. The slide rule function can be used for many other formulas and speed calculations too, but that’s for another time.

The case of the new Breitling Navitimer Automatic 41 watch is water-resistant to 30 meters and comes complete on a stainless steel bracelet with a Breitling-engraved folding clasp. There is also the option to configure the watch with a deep blue, black or brown leather strap or a rubber strap alternative. At the heart of the watch is the powerful Breitling B17 self-winding movement, originally developed for the SuperOcean watch. It features a quick set date complication, performs at a rate of 28,800 vibrations and is designed on the architecture of an ebauche movement – the ETA 2824-2. The Breitling Calibre 17 also performs with an accuracy of between -4 and +6 seconds in a 24-hour period and provides a 38-hour power reserve. Concealing its performance is a polished stainless steel caseback engraved with the famous Breitling B logo.

To secure an order on one of the new Breitling Navitimer Automatic 41 watches today, you can call our friendly and knowledgeable sales team at Jura Watches on 01335 453453.

Technical specifications of the new Breitling Navitimer Automatic 41

• Case: Stainless steel – polished – beaded rotating slide rule bezel – 30-meter water resistance - sapphire crystal glass lens with anti-reflective treatment on both sides – polished caseback engraved with Breitling logo
• Dial: Deep blue dial – luminous central hour and minute hands – stick hour markers – date window at 3 o’clock
• Movement: Breitling Calibre 17 – 28,800 vibrations per hour – 38-hour power reserve – 25 jewels
• Strap: Stainless Steel bracelet – folding clasp
• Price: £3,775
• Reference: A17326161C1A1