When I first came to watch forums I never cared about Breitling that much. The watches had strange, busy dials and very "different" appearance. Windrider Chronomat Blue /TwoTone was the only Breitling I considered even remotely attractive.
But as time went by those Breitlings were slowly growing on me. Strange how that happens. Navitimer catched my attention, and not only because it's visually one of the most accurate chronograph reps out there (correct subdial spacing), but also because it's such a classic model. I see Navitimer as some kind of watch equivalent to Lamborghini Countach. Beauty is always in the eye of the beholder, but I guess we can all agree that Breitling is not a "beautiful" chronograph watch (in traditional sense) like Daytona or Speedmaster Broad Arrow, but it has very unique and characteristic appearance.
Navitimer is kinda "bread and butter" model for Breitling, because it was the model that originally placed Breitling "on the world map". The first model was introduced in 1954 and it has been through numerous incarnations, but the general, overall appearance has remained the same during the whole 50+ years in production.
Because of the age of this model (and due its popularity) Navitimer will be instantly recognized as a Breitling, at least among people who are even remotely familiar with wristwatches. The recognition factor probably won't be the same with models like Aeromarine or Steelfish titanium. I really like the Steelfish, but personally I'm not a huge fan of the rather dull and gray appearance of titanium. So it had to be a Navitimer, Chrono Avenger or Chronomat. I also found myself quite attracted to the Bullhead version that Neil briefly had available.
I was planning to buy a Breitling for months
but shyed away from the Asian 7750 automatic. But when a good deal came by I couldn't resist the temptation any longer. I just HAD to get a Breitling!
Then some history about this watch... This is a replica of the older Navitimer, "SERIE SPECIALE" model, which (according to my sources) was in production in the 80'S. I find it rather strange that the rep factories replicated this model and not the mid-90'S "Fighter Special Edition", or the standard early 2000'S model which is very similar in appearance (save the differencies we'll tackle later in this review).
BORROWED information from a resource site:
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Breitling created the Breitling Fighters team, an initiative bringing together second generation WW II era fighter planes. The Fighters Team includes a Supermarine Spitfire, Messerschmitt Bf109, North American Aviation P-51 Mustang, Yakolev Yak 3, Chance Vought F4U Corsair and a Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawk. The Breitling Fighters Chronograph is the official watch of this flight team. Whilst the watch is equipped with the latest developments in mechanical watch making, it fully reflects the spirit prevailing half a century ago, the time when Breitling developed the first slide rule chronographs. The Navitimer for the first time, a watch featured a "navigation computer" capable of executing every calculation a flight plan requires. These include: multiplication, division, calculating ground speed, calculating miles per hour, calculating miles per minute, calculating fuel consumption, calculating rate of climb or descent, calculating the distance of climb or descent and nautical and statute mile conversion. This is a true professional instrument watch that has been adapted to today's even more strenuous requirements.
Here's a large scan of the caseback which shows the engraved fighter planes. According to another user the engraving "Messerschmitt" has been misspelled (I think I just misspelled it again). Personally, I couldn't be bothered. These kind of things belong to the "anal retentive" department. I don't think I'll run into many Breitling fanatics who keep a loupe in the back pocket and demand to inspect the caseback of my watch.