The New Breitling Navitimer B19
A New Chapter for an Icon: Breitling Introduces a Perpetual Calendar to the Navitimer
For over 70 years, the Breitling Navitimer has been a fixture in horology—instantly recognizable for its circular slide rule, notched bezel, and chronograph function. Now, it reaches a new level of technical mastery with the introduction of Breitling’s first perpetual calendar chronograph movement: the Caliber B19.
A Timeless Icon, Reinvented
Originally designed in 1952 for the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), the Navitimer became the first wristwatch flight computer, capable of handling onboard calculations. Over the decades, its legacy has grown beyond aviation, solidifying its place as a cultural and horological icon, worn by legends like Miles Davis and Serge Gainsbourg.
Now, the Navitimer embraces a perpetual calendar complication, offering day, date, month, and moonphase at 12 o’clock. The movement self-corrects for leap years and requires only minor adjustments to remain accurate for a century.
The New Navitimer B19 at a Glance:
43mm stainless steel case with a platinum bezel
Ice-blue dial with luminescent markers
Breitling Caliber B19 – Perpetual Calendar Chronograph, 96-hour power reserve
Open sapphire caseback showcasing the movement
Choice of black alligator leather strap or seven-row stainless steel bracelet
Breitling’s Commitment to Precision
The B19 movement is the latest in Breitling’s push towards exclusive in-house calibers. Rigorously tested for COSC certification, it undergoes a 16-year aging simulation, enduring 100,000 crown winds, 3.4 million weight turns, and 60,000 shocks at 500G to ensure longevity and precision.
Breitling CEO Georges Kern puts it best:
“It takes a lot for us to use the word icon, but the Navitimer has earned it. Combined with the perpetual calendar, the B19 is a tour de force, never missing a beat for a full century.”
A Navitimer for the Ages
This is more than an upgrade—it’s a redefinition of the Navitimer for the future. With its blend of historical significance, mechanical sophistication, and contemporary style, the B19 Perpetual Calendar Chronograph cements its place in Breitling’s legacy of innovation.
Would you add this perpetual Navitimer to your collection? Reply and let us know.