Join the discussion at WatchCrunch: www.watchcrunch.com/Max/posts/i-found-the-best-breitling-ever-made-43948

I bought my Navitimer at the age of 20, I am now 77, the Navitimer has been my only watch worn daily other than when having its services, at times when I had less desirable occupations it performed perfectly, it will be a till death do us part situation when my son takes over ownership, I have been so pleased by my purchase that never once have I been tempted to look at alternatives.

@suyonokurniawan824

4 ай бұрын

Has it ever broken that you've got it serviced? That's really cool 57 years...

@timhopman8120

2 күн бұрын

I’d take a Navitimer over a Rolex any day!

Even if one does not use the slide rule functions, The Navitimer is a piece of horological history stemming from the 1950s. I love my Sinn 903 version. The Seiko Flightmaster is worth a mention as it has special spot in pilots watches.

Such an underrated watch. Absolutely love it. Thanks for looking beyond the obvious and putting together his awesome review.

The Navi is a very special watch that is often overlooked by collectors.

@WatchCrunchOfficial

11 ай бұрын

Agreed!

@Jeepsteve1982

7 ай бұрын

I worked in the aviation industry for almost twenty years. Breitling still has a huge presence in the aviation community. They have air racing teams and pilot magazines are loaded with Breitling ads. It's a fun brand for sporty, less pretentious types. My exposure to nice watches all began with the navitimer.

@michaelriera6277

7 ай бұрын

Agree with all your points. I do prefer the winged B logo from the Schneider era,

I absolutely love this watch and would love to buy one. The only problem for me is the lack of a date function, which is necessary for my work.

Great review of a fantastic and iconic watch, thank you!

@WatchCrunchOfficial

11 ай бұрын

Cheers 🍻

Thanks for the review. I’m finally starting to appreciate these watches after first seeing them on the wrists of my supervising attendings in the 90s.

@WatchCrunchOfficial

11 ай бұрын

Took me a while too!

Love this! Almost got it but ended with a reverse panda navitimer instead. Still preferred to have a see through caseback

I'm considering getting this one to add to my collection, for now I love my cosmonaut 1962 Scott carpenter which is very special.

Great video and thanks for bringing the Navitimer to the spotlight… I’m an owner of many beautiful watches though my heart loves my 43mm navitimer with reverse panda layout. While it doesn’t have the same vintage inspired cues as this new one, it’s still one of my favourite watches of all time.

@WatchCrunchOfficial

11 ай бұрын

Thanks!

I really like it. Making the dial and subregisters the same colour makes it less busy, that is what I like about my Lunar Pilot

Thanks for a very nice review. This watch was on my radar before but I ended up with the 765AVI. Also a 1:1 faithful remake of Breitling historical aviation piece. Same movement as this 806. Less busy dial and features a very interesting “bigeye” minute register subdial with lume marking. Same size as the 806 too. Have a look you might like that one better like I do.

Love this video. I never looked towards Breitlings, but I’m willing to try now. Cheers Max

@MirrorMonolith

Ай бұрын

Breitling is back in full force under Kern. One of the best brands now IMO. And they’re resurrecting Universal Geneve.

I really love this model with the original look and beaded bezel but my absolute favorite is the limited edition 747 with that cream and red dial ❤

Solid review and explanation, I own the 2022 Navi Cosmonaut with the bracelet and it's a killer, I'm considering this 806 to add to my collection. The B09 is a killer movement and a simpler caliber with less parts and jewels count in a modular setup for easy service down the road. The Cosmo uses a one of a kind B02, a true 01 but modified for hand wound only and finished and decorated for a one off piece, the B02 is not even mentioned on Breitling 2023 catalogue, interesting I say.

If I was to purchase a Breitling the Navitimer would be the one but would probably opt for the original over the reissue. 😊 Nice review.

@WatchCrunchOfficial

11 ай бұрын

And save a few bucks!

This watch was made for Scientists, Engineers and Pilots. The functionality and legacy make it a prized possession.

Nice. I am going to buy one of these for my son one day. ❤❤❤

I agree!! This reference is the best ‘modern’ Navitimer.. have you seen the rose gold version?? Even better in my opinion but both stunning pieces!! 🙌🏻👍🏻

Great video! My personal favorite Breitling is the Avi-765 Re-Edition

@WatchCrunchOfficial

11 ай бұрын

Very cool

Amazing video, Max. This watch is lovely & even more so in person. The finish & attention to detail while still keeping it close to OG in feel is pretty trick. We should do a side by side one day, if you keep it 😉

@WatchCrunchOfficial

11 ай бұрын

Great idea! Thanks bro bro

Whenever the Navi comes up in watch discussions, my two passions collide and I feel I must add some info to my fellow watch geeks. In the pilot community a Breitling Navi is held in the highest regard and every fledgling pilot to commercial captain desires to own one some day. So, while all of us watch geeks criticize some of its aspects, remember, there is a another large community that appreciates everything about this series.

@WatchCrunchOfficial

11 ай бұрын

Great perspective Mike!!

@chriscon8463

11 ай бұрын

I second this! I was a C-130 navigator for 20+ years & we still used a whiz wheel regularly when flying (on the H-model C-130s anyway…)! I definitely have an appreciation for the Navitimer & intend to own one someday.

@MikeSmith-er1qs

11 ай бұрын

@@chriscon8463 I am a retired NFO and was an instructor at the 562nd!

@wrathofgod

8 ай бұрын

I’m flying some ufo and I’m using this watch

@chriscon8463

8 ай бұрын

@@MikeSmith-er1qs Sorry-I just saw your comment! Very cool! We’re you P-3s? I went through the 562nd at Randolph in ‘99-‘00 & got to Pope in May ‘01. I retired in ‘20 (8 yrs active, 13 reserve)!

I have a Breitling Jupiter Pilot, and as a Navitimer type, it is great. Sure, it is a quartz, but it is still great and runs so well. Aside from some huge and hideous watches, Breitling are class.

Agree, I like the new/ old looks

Masterpiece of a watch ! 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏🏆🥇

I don't know if it's the best, but it sure looks great on you Max.

@WatchCrunchOfficial

11 ай бұрын

Thanks Michael!

It’s one of the icons without a doubt.

I am a pilot and Navitimer had been my dream watch before I was a pilot. When I had a chance I bought my 46mm UB0127 and that’s the one I wear whenever I am flying. My next dream is to pass it to my son when he s grownup :) Salute to all Navitimer lover watch geeks!

The Navitimer is an iconic watch and one that any serious watch collector must have in his collection.

Aviation watch or pilot watch is a watch that I seldom feel essential to me since I have a speedmaster pro already. However I think there is no harm to have one Breitling watch in one’s watch collection.

There are a few lines in Tom Wolfe’s book the right stuff. The astronaut candidates had to report in civilian clothes. They could recognise each other because of the cheap suits, crew hair cuts, and their watches. Which had scales to record everything except the sound level of cannon fire. I also liked the mention that for many of the guys this was the most expensive personal item that they owned. They had to be talking about the navitimer.

I bought the last unit! Can’t wait!

@WatchCrunchOfficial

11 ай бұрын

Woohoo!!

I may buy a vintage navitimer or the sinn variant when I get out of college. There's something well and truly special about them.

@WatchCrunchOfficial

11 ай бұрын

Definitely!

My favorite Breitling. Even if I actually prefer (the much more expensive again) red gold edition with a reverse panda dial. One of my grails 🙂

@WatchCrunchOfficial

11 ай бұрын

It's subtly cool

I'm sure with time I will start loving this watch...but today, so many things going on in the dial....

By far the best navitimer.

Totally agree. I’ve got a love hate relationship with Breitling watches. Still don’t know if I would buy one.

What would you choose, the 1959 re edition or the 1884 limited? Way bigger dial I know, but busy, true to navitimer style

That's a honey for sure. I remember seeing one and being instantly tempted. Note that Sinn makes perhaps the best Navi. Well, made, they just discontinued for now.

Always loved the Navitimer.....

Lovely watch. As for me I’ll stick to my Cosmonaute 81600, circa 1995, cream lume on a Forstner Komfit mesh bracelet. An unpractical timepiece at times but reeks aviation heritage.

I've been keepin it crunchy

Love it except for the fauxtina. But I need to see it in person for final judgement. It’s so beautiful that I could think it’s more of a color design over fauxtina which is why I like the NTTD Seamaster. Congrats!

@WatchCrunchOfficial

11 ай бұрын

It's pretty light

@milesnorthrop5581

11 ай бұрын

It’s not fauxtina. Breitling did a lot of research into it and discovered they used a very light cream colour back in the fifties. So it’s accurate to the original. It’s a fantastic reissue but I found the strap gets chewed up by the buckle and I really wish they’d not put an AR coating on the outside of the plastic crystal. It scratches so easily and you can’t buff it out like with a Speedmaster.

@theenavybluemonster

11 ай бұрын

@@milesnorthrop5581 Like I stated, I haven’t seen it in person but the numerals look darker to me in video/pictures like fauxtina which I hate. Max said they’re lighter in the metal. EOM straps don’t bother me as I like changing straps. AR on the plastic crystal could be problematic depending on how you wear your watch.

@Wonky_ties

11 ай бұрын

A correction for you, this is an identical match lume colour to the original watches. Absolutely ever single detail about the original was reverse engineered for the re-edition.

You are right: form follows function. But on one hand this watch provided much needed functionality to pilots, while you admit that for its most basic task - telling time, picking up the hands is not that easy.

@WatchCrunchOfficial

11 ай бұрын

🤣 true

The new GMT 41 is 😮

If it had 100m WR it would be an ultimate watch for me...

Your video implies that Breitling invented the circular slide rule. Hardly - the concept is centuries old. But it's still an amazing watch.

I love breitling

I love the Navi. 41 is better than 43 (I think). Thank you for the review. I didn’t know about this one. Is there a ghost date position?

@WatchCrunchOfficial

11 ай бұрын

No ghost date

I think it would have been interesting to add the Sinn connection to dispel any uninformed accusations of copying in the design of their wonderful 903 and note the challenges that led Breitling to sell the rights to the Navitimer design to Sinn.

Question: Did you add this to your personal collection and if so, did you replace it with your 38m blue Navitimer that you have? I think the best looking Navitimer ever made is the RB0120, the rose gold 43m one from two generations ago with the gold wings. I have the RB0120 which is the steel version. That being said the 806 re-edition is a beautiful navitimer as well and one I originally considered. The 806 is also has the best value retention of any modern Navitimer, it's the one doesn't immediately lose nearly half its value due to its limited production and desirability, although that only matters if you buy it from an AD which were sold out a while ago.

@WatchCrunchOfficial

11 ай бұрын

Yes, this is replacing the 38. Mainly because of the movement

@justinbuska3499

11 ай бұрын

@@WatchCrunchOfficial the 38 mil was a nice little Navitimer but that’s a nice upgrade.

The WatchCrunch x Jack Mason colab was awesome. Not much of a traveler so the GMT wasn’t for me. Looking forward to more creations in the future for sure.

@WatchCrunchOfficial

11 ай бұрын

We are working on something you might like 😉

Miles Davis wore a reverse panda dial Navitimer, that version is cool.

Agree with you, the Navitimer is top notch.

Its very cool and its very iconing but I'm just not brave enough to buy something I am not sure if it is aesthetically beautiful or ugly, it probably is both at the same time. Its easier for the speedmaster to be the omega icon of the skies, the design is beautiful and timeless.

I would really want to compare the navitimer vs IWC pilot chronograph

What does the inner most ring 1:10 through 9:00 measure?

No one needs a slide rule on a wristwatch, or even a tachymeter for that matter, but at least the tachy looks cool, whereas the slide rule looks busy and nerdy - the dial gives me a headache. The biggest practical problem though is that the slide rule functionality means water ingress - it's got next to no water resistance. Website says 3 bars. That's a concern. Breitling make other chronographs with 10 or 20 bars of water resistance - a far more sensible option.

@MikeSmith-er1qs

11 ай бұрын

The slide rule likely has little to no effect on water ingress. Also, the slide rule is a GREAT function for those of us that know how to use them. In the modern electronic world, no one NEEDS one, but that applies to watches in general as well. We are not in this hobby because it’s practical.

Dial to busy? Citizen says : "Callenge accepted"

I love it, an icon and full of pressence watch, but 38 mm for me, please Regards from Spain

❤❤❤

Hi Max. I really like how you present your videos regardless of if I like or not the watches you’re presenting. I’m so tired of those sleazy tattooed guys wearing baseball caps backwards on KZread who exhibit tons of expensive watches in plastic pockets just to show that they are dealing with sleaziest but richer people than them as clients. I totally love the way you do your presentations. Thank you and keep going

@WatchCrunchOfficial

11 ай бұрын

Thanks my friend. I appreciate that 🙏

@SuperBechti

11 ай бұрын

@@WatchCrunchOfficial no problem dude. As a Swiss guy, you have no idea how much i appreciate your approach on watches. For a lot of Swiss, watches don’t represent necessarily a social standard but more like a national pride, ambassadors of our industry and skills. So we need more true watch lovers like you rather than those idiots who think that the more shiny and expensive, the better.

Steve Jobs didn’t even know what a smartwatch is. 😂

It certainly has a place in this world….just not on my wrist.

No Max, I don't think that Navitimer is the best version of the Navitimer. What bothers me about that edition are the beaded bezel, the hand filled lume plots and the fact that the hands don't reach all the way to the edge. My special edition Navitimer is the best one. I have the better B01 movement, applied numerals with lume and an applied B with wings on the dial. At 43mm, it fits my wrist just fine and looks good doing it.

Best Breitling ever made is my one. Breitling Blackbird Blacksteel.

I’m seeing navis listed for 2-3k all over eBay. Are they really going for 30% of the original value on resale or are these just busted?

Sorry I still prefer Breitling premier over this. Its dial layout and color (pistachio and salmon) is simply a lot more comfortable to the eyes.

I'm waiting for some mad lad to combine the ancient Mesopotamian technology of an abacus with a chronograph. Come on Breitling, you can do it! This comment was sponsored by the Abacus Association of America - "Making Abaci Great Again" (c)

@WatchCrunchOfficial

11 ай бұрын

🤣🤣

I guess more is not less.

At this price, i stick to my Casio "Navitimer", thanks.

It’s nice But not the best breitling ever made in my opinion. Personally my favourite navitimer is the cosmonaut My favourite breitling is a toss up between that amazing premier in pistachio or salmon, and the discontinued avenger blackbird

i own this watch #Loveit but not my daily wearer, probably due to the acrylic crystal.

its funny he said Steve Jobs when Samsung released their Gear watch YEARS before Apple Watch was released!

Personally I would (if i want broke) wear a Breitling ovver a Rolex if given the option Side note Love the app, unfortunately it's not optimized for Android phones. I've sent messages to support with no response.

Great watch and choice. I really don’t understand the squeamishness of going with vintage. To address your points, all watches need service at some point and the original 806 movement doesn’t present any problems. Also, authentication of new watches can be a thing, as you know. There is something about owning a true, patina ( not feaux) watch that nobody can get by just walking into a AD. What would Indiana Jones 0:04 want? Not a OEM reproduction, I’m sure. I hope you didn’t buy this new because the value will drop like a rock. You could have added another watch or put those funds toward your next purchase. It is a cool watch but you should try vintage. The hunt is part of the enjoyment.

@WatchCrunchOfficial

11 ай бұрын

Yeah people just get screwed when they are not experts on frankenwatches.

No: missing water-resistance

The best breits are avengers))

A tool watch Allright

The extremely low 30bar WR is a pity for a modern day watch .

are there literally any good watch youtube channels or nah

Controversial. But just because of all your previous bullet points. Who really needs this watch? Completely redundant to plus 99% percentage of the population. It just looks good on the wrist, that's all. Plus, it lightens your wallet.

Not for my tastes.

The Navi timer is a useless watch these days. Lol. Only for looks. Confusing looks.

Why are we pronouncing it as 2 words? It’s not a “Navi-Timer” it’s a Navitimer. Pronounced Nav-a-timer. It’s not pronounced Navi-gation. It’s pronounced Nava-gation.