Vintage Breitling Navitimer Chronomat Stainless Steel Automatic Wristwatch

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Vintage Breitling Navitimer Chronomat Stainless Steel Automatic Wristwatch

About the Item

Vintage Breitling Navitimer Chronomat Frecce Tricoleri Two-Tone Stainless Steel Automatic Wristwatch Brand: Breitling Model Name: Chronomat Model Number: 81950 Bezel Material: Stainless Steel Caseback Material: Stainless Steel Movement: Breitling Cal. B13 (ETA Cal. 7750 base) 25 Jewels Estimated Production Year: Circa 1990 Markings to Inside: Breitling, Swiss Case Functions: Chronograph, Unidirectional Bezel, Date Window, Screw Lock Crown Clasp Style: Deployment Case to case (mm): 40.5 Lug to lug (mm): 45 Bracelet/Fob Length: 7.00" Bracelet/Fob Material: Stainless Steel Bracelet/Fob Style: Rouleax Bullet Condition details: -Running at time of evaluation without detailed testing, future state not guaranteed. -The Bezel's rider tabs and the chronograph pushers are worn -Small dents on the left side of the case -Scratches on the case and bracelet and consistent with age and wear -Fine scraches to the anti reflective coating on the crystal If you are a pilot, you probably have some affection for Breitling even if you do not own one. No other company is as closely associated with aviation as Breitling and for good reason. The company has developed watches for aeronautical use for years and of course has been a major sponsor of aviation related events. This watch is particularly interesting because it is one that celebrated the Italian Aerobatic team. The Frecce Tricoleri was honored with a headlong image of an Aermacchi MB-339A jet in gold relief portrayed on the case back. One of the reasons for this is that Breitling worked with the team to develop a watch that was more user friendly in a cockpit environment. The four rider tabs around the bezel are a bit larger and the crown and pushers are onion shaped and made to be easily gripped by a pilot wearing gloves. What transpired was a watch that was not just cockpit friendly but established a line of watches that has not only endured but has and is still Breitling’s most successful design, This watch is in very good shape but does have a few small flaws that bear witness to its age. These are few tiny scratches on the left side of the case and are in no way detrimental to the appearance of the watch. The only other small flaw is on the screw holding the left side number 45 rider. It has wear but again you need a magnifying glass to really see it. The crystal, bezel and case back are all in exceptional condition showing that its previous owner took great pride in a watch that they knew as exceptional. I have worn it for a two day period and it runs exceptionally well and I found it very tempting. If I didn’t already have a gold Navitimer you may not have seen this watch on offer. Cheers, David C. Grainger

Creator:
Breitling
Case Material:
Stainless Steel
Place of Origin:
Switzerland
Period:
1990-1999
Date of Manufacture:
Circa 1990
Condition:
Seller Location:
Bradford, CA
Reference Number:
Seller: 001541stDibs: LU1991212451372

Shop All Breitling

Breitling

For pilots and others in love with flight, no brand is more closely associated with the world of aviation than Breitling. From the beginning, watchmaker Léon Breitling, who opened his shop in the Swiss Jura Mountains in 1884, was focused on chronographs and their uses in the burgeoning fields of sports, science and industry.

After Léon’s death, in 1914, his son Gaston continued along his father’s trajectory. An early fan of aeronautics, Gaston introduced one of the first wrist-worn chronographs, a welcome upgrade for pilots used to executing complex maneuvers while juggling a pocket watch.

In 1934, Gaston’s son Willy made another leap in the chronograph’s evolution, patenting the first wristwatch with two pushers — one to start and stop elapsed time and one to reset — a feature now taken for granted.

But perhaps the most significant development under Willy’s leadership was the Chronomat watch. Introduced in 1942, it featured a patented rotating slide-rule bezel for making calculations on the fly. This innovation led to the 1952 creation of the brand’s signature timepiece: the Breitling Navitimer.

Designed in partnership with the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, it was adopted as the official watch of the AOPA in 1959 and remains the world’s most iconic pilot’s watch. Not content to rule just the air, Breitling developed dive watches as well, including the Superocean, released in 1957, and the Transocean, which followed in 1958. The house also took its show on the road, producing dashboard clocks and then watches in partnership with luxury automaker Bentley.

The Navitimer, however, still reigns supreme among pilots everywhere. Given the stature earned by Top Gun since its release — as well as the excitement around Top Gun: Maverick — it's never too late to pick up a vintage Breitling Top Gun Navitimer, displaying the official logo of the United States Navy Fighter Weapons School, for yourself or your favorite wingman.

Find a range of Breitling watches on 1stDibs.