The Breitling Navitimer – Renewed
If anything, the watchmaking industry is one that really honors time. Vintage designs and time-honored traditions only get better and more valuable through the years, only receiving small updates every now and then. For 2009, Breitling – another tradition in the field of horology – is celebrating its 125th anniversary with a design that’s more than your average designer watch: the Navitimer.
A Tradition is Born
Breitling traces its roots all the way to St. Imier, Switzerland, where 24 year-old Leon Breitling founded his company for making technical and high-quality timepieces. During World War I, Breitling specialized in manufacturing chronographs, watches and chronometers and chronographs for aviation purposes. That began the company’s association with the aviation industry and many pilots’ affection for the brand.
The Navitimer itself has quite a bit of history associated with it. It was originally designed in the 1940′s (the first model had its market release in 1952) specifically for aviators. This much was proven by the close ties this particular model had with the aviation industry; there was a release where all the units had Association of Pilots and Aviators branding on them.
It’s High Time for Change
For its 125th anniversary, it seems fitting that the company should reprise one of the most iconic Breitling watches in history. The Navitimer has long been the standard bearer for the company, especially because of its popularity with aviators and pilots all around the world.
The reimagining of the Navitimer retains all the features of the classic model, particularly the 38-jewel design, 60-minute totalizer and the time accuracy of up to a quarter of a second. For the anniversary edition, however, Breitling adds its Air Racer design to the metal bracelet, giving it a holed design with a Sixties flair.
If you want one for yourself, you’ll have to act quickly. Only 125 units of the model will be executed in 18-carat gold and the special color combinations. Should you miss that one, you have another chance: 2,009 pieces will also be released, only in less luxurious basic steel and different colors.
Don’t expect these things to be cheap either; insiders expect this new model to retail for at least 5-digit prices. But you can rest assured that that’s money well-spent on a piece of well-engineered history.