Watch Review: The Breitling Navitimer 1959 Edition
A painstaking recreation of one of the most recognisable timepieces in aviation history is the Breitling Navitimer 1959 Edition. The Navitimer, which debuted in 1959, quickly gained popularity among pilots and aviation fans due to its unique design and unmatched capabilities. The 1959 Edition perfectly emulates the original, bringing contemporary watchmaking innovations together with the essence of the classic. This watch pays homage to its illustrious ancestor with a beaded bezel, a superbly crafted black dial, and a hand-wound, 40.9 mm stainless steel case.
Table of Contents
Overview of The Breitling Navitimer 1959 Edition
The painstakingly constructed Breitling Navitimer 1959 Edition pays homage to the iconic 1959 Navitimer, which pilots and aviation enthusiasts adore. With a 70-hour power reserve, the hand-wound Breitling Calibre B09 movement powers this re-edition, which has a 40.9 mm stainless steel casing. The watch features an innovative design beaded bezel with 94 beads, a bi-directional slide rule bezel for aviation calculations, and a black display with tone-on-tone sub-dials.
This limited edition clock, with a hesalite crystal, 30 metres of water resistance, and modern precision and craftsmanship, seamlessly blends historical authenticity with contemporary design.
Features
Hand-Wound Movement: Accomplishing accurate and dependable timekeeping, the watch is driven by the in-house Breitling Calibre B09, a hand-wound movement with a 70-hour power reserve.
Beaded Bezel: The 94 beads on the bezel precisely match the original 1959 model, adding a little bit of historical authenticity.
40.9 mm Stainless Steel casing: This casing keeps the original’s traditional proportions while providing a contemporary durability and vintage appearance.
Black Dial: Maintaining the design of the original Navitimer, the dial has tone-on-tone sub-dials for the 12-hour, 30-minute, and tiny seconds counters.
Slide Rule Bezel: A distinguishing feature of the Navitimer series, the bi-directional rotating bezel with the circular slide rule enables a variety of aircraft computations.
Acrylic Crystal: To enhance the watch’s vintage charm, a premium hesalite crystal is used to mimic the appearance and feel of the original 1959 model.
Water Resistance: The watch can withstand water exposure of up to 30 metres (100 feet) and is therefore appropriate for daily use.
Limited Edition: The uniqueness and collecting value of each piece are highlighted by their limited manufacturing run.
Historical Engravings: The 1959 model’s legacy and authenticity are preserved by the case back’s original Breitling inscription and logo.
Care and Maintenance
Routine Cleaning: To get rid of dust and fingerprints, wipe the watch off with a gentle, dry cloth. Use a little moist cloth for a more thorough cleaning; do not submerge.
Water Exposure: Although the watch is water-resistant, prolonged submersion is not advised. If exposed to seawater, carefully rinse and dry.
Avoid Extreme Conditions: To keep the watch accurate and effective, shield it from magnetic fields, shocks, and extremely high or low temperatures.
Service Intervals: To guarantee peak performance, it is advised to have your Breitling regularly serviced by trained experts every three to five years.
Hand Winding: This is a hand-wound watch that needs to be wound on a regular basis. To prevent overwinding, stop winding as soon as resistance is encountered.
Price and Availability
The starting price of the Breitling Navitimer 1959 Edition stainless steel is $9,500 and limited platinum edition priced at USD 45,700.
You can learn more on the official website: Breitling
Specifications
MOVEMENT
| Caliber | Breitling B09 (Manufacture) |
|---|---|
| Movement | Mechanical hand-wound |
| Power reserve | Approx. 70 hrs |
| Chronograph | 1/5th second, 30 minutes, 12 hours |
| Vibration | 28,800 v.p.h |
| Jewel | 34 jewels |
CASE
| Case material | Stainless steel |
|---|---|
| Caseback | Snapped |
| Water resistance | 3 bars i |
| Bezel | Bidirectional, slide rule |
| Crown | Non screw-locked, one gasket |
| Crystal | Plexiglas |
DIMENSIONS
| Product Weight (Approx.) | 75.0 g. |
|---|---|
| Watch-head Weight (Approx.) | 60.6 g. |
| Diameter | 41.0 mm |
| Thickness | 12.9 mm |
| Height (upper lug tip to lower lug tip) | 48.7 mm |
| Lug width (in-between lug) | 22.0 mm |
STRAP
| Strap material | Calfskin leather |
|---|---|
| Strap color | Black |
| Strap type | Straight |
| Lug | 22/18 mm |
| Buckle Material | Stainless steel |
| Buckle type | Tang-type |
| Buckle size | 18 mm |
Conclusion
The Breitling Navitimer 1959 Edition pays homage to a great watch in a magnificent way by fusing contemporary workmanship with historical accuracy. Collectors and aviation aficionados seek it out because of its authentic design components, hand-wound Calibre B09 movement, and limited edition status. The 1959 Navitimer’s spirit is captured in this re-edition, guaranteeing its continued relevance in the current horological environment.
This watch will continue to be a functioning representation of the Breitling brand’s classic style and innovative spirit with appropriate upkeep and care. Breitling’s commitment to quality in watchmaking and its enduring tradition are demonstrated by the Navitimer 1959 Edition.
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