Breitling Navitimer 01 Chronograph AB012112 Limited Edition - Review

The Breitling Navitimer model is somewhat iconic within the whole of the watch industry, never mind Breitling history. The original chronograph Navitimer was launched in 1952, and featured a circular slide rule on the bezel – allowing pilots to perform navigation-related calculations on their watch! As you would imagine, this watch became an institution for pilots at the time, and the Navitimer has now developed an almost cult following of aviation enthusiasts and collectors alike.

The Navitimer range has been continuously manufactured by Breitling ever since, which makes it the world’s oldest mechanical chronograph that is still in production. However, the timelessness of the original design has never faded, and today the Navitimer has been re-worked and re-designed for the current market. My personal favourite from the 2011 models has to be the Limited Edition Breitling Navitimer 01 Chronograph AB012112.

This Navitimer model has it all: style, precision, craftsmanship, history and function - married together to create a truly special timepiece. This watch is in strictly limited supply, as only 2,000 pieces have been created worldwide. It makes this a true collector’s item that should only go up in value as the year’s progress.

Ways in which this model differs to your traditional Navitimer include the addition of the Breitling Calibre 01 movement – which was first used to power an exclusive version of their Chronomat model – and so hence the Breitling Navitimer 01 title. This movement is created entirely in-house in Breitling workshops. The Navitimer 01 also has a slightly larger case than the original version, coming in at 43mm. These are the kind of details only true watch collectors and enthusiasts would notice, and so these are the subtle additions that will make it a sought after model in the future.

Other than that it comes with everything you would expect from this iconic style; automatic winding, 70 hours power reserve, self-winding movement, distinctive dials, stainless steel case and sapphire crystal caseback which provides a full view of the movement, as well as the all important bi-directional sliding bezel and tachymeter. Aviation technology at its very finest.

In terms of styling, this is definitely a real man’s watch. The large stainless steel case gives a great ‘weighty’ feel to it, whilst at the same time producing a very masculine aesthetic. The black leather strap is perfect for wearing with your work suit during the week and just as easy to integrate with a more relaxed polo shirt and chino's combination at the weekend. The muted dials and timeless styling means this watch will never go out of fashion - so much so that it would be the perfect family heirloom to pass down from generation to generation.

A definite investment piece, the Limited Edition Breitling Navitimer 01 Chronograph AB012112 is available to buy today at TIME².