Getting my first Breitling Navitimer - need advice

[Paul9999]

About month ago at the airport I noticed navitimer, and fall in love with it. At first, I was planning to get Navitimer stainless steel blue, but I changed my mind and will go with black rose gold. My wrist size is 18cm ( 7.1 inches ). What size of case should I go with 46 or 43mm? Also im considering fully gold case version vs stainless steel and rose gold. What you guys think?

[arcadelt]

Originally Posted by Paul9999

My wrist size is 18cm ( 7.1 inches ). What size of case should I go with 46 or 43mm?…What you guys think?

Size choice is very personal, so you really need to try both sizes on to decide. However, with 6.75" inch wrists, my personal choice was to go with vintage, neo-vintage and re-edition Navitimers at around 40mm. Therefore, my recommendation for you would be the 43mm over the 46mm.

[BNZ]

All things being equal with the look and feel on your wrist, I would go 43mm. Feel it would be more versatile at that size.

[Paul9999]

Thank you guys. I was leaning toward 43mm size, now i am confident with that. I gotta wait 4 weeks for the watch since they dont have it I stock. I will be posting pictures once I get it

[dmhines]

I have small wrists and went with the 806 Re-edition 41 mm ....

[donas]

It's completely personal preference; for me, I think most watches over 44 look too big on almost any wrist. YMMV

[Ravager135]

I would go with 43mm to start. The proportions, particularly with the hands, tend to look better at 41-43mm.

Additionally, I would reconsider a stainless steel model. I have nothing against precious metal Breitlings, they just tend to be less popular and you might find yourself fall out of love with it with poor resale value for money invested. I speak from some experience as I used to own a two tone Navitimer and fell out of love after a few years. I've since acquired a stainless steel version.

The chief criticism of Breitling in recent years has been overpolished, large, flashy pieces. I think a more restrained size and case metal are more reflective of the image the brand has been pushing more recently; leaning heavily on their tool watch heritage. At the end of the day, this is just an opinion. You need to do what you think is best.

[Paul9999]

Originally Posted by Ravager135

I would go with 43mm to start. The proportions, particularly with the hands, tend to look better at 41-43mm.

Additionally, I would reconsider a stainless steel model. I have nothing against precious metal Breitlings, they just tend to be less popular and you might find yourself fall out of love with it with poor resale value for money invested. I speak from some experience as I used to own a two tone Navitimer and fell out of love after a few years. I've since acquired a stainless steel version.

The chief criticism of Breitling in recent years has been overpolished, large, flashy pieces. I think a more restrained size and case metal are more reflective of the image the brand has been pushing more recently; leaning heavily on their tool watch heritage. At the end of the day, this is just an opinion. You need to do what you think is best.

Thank you for suggestion. I really like that gold touch. It is indeed hard decision between all versions ( full gold, partially gold, stainless steel), but I decided with middle option. Im getting it at extremely great price ( purchase from AD from abroad), so even if I decide to sell it in the future ill probly get more what I paid. I gotta wait 4 weeks for the watch, so once I get it ill post pictures:)

[Paul9999]

Im planning to add 3 years extended warranty for 8 years total. Is this worth it?

[donas]

I've only used a watch warranty repair for one issue and that was on a Rolex, after 2 trips to RSC the problem persisted. I've had a Breitling Superocean for about 10 years with zero issues. To me, warranties don't hold much value. Unless it was super cheap, I wouldn't pay to extend one.

[Paul9999]

Originally Posted by donas

I've only used a watch warranty repair for one issue and that was on a Rolex, after 2 trips to RSC the problem persisted. I've had a Breitling Superocean for about 10 years with zero issues. To me, warranties don't hold much value. Unless it was super cheap, I wouldn't pay to extend one.

Watch is around 7k and warranty 400$, so about 5% for peace of mind. Only issue I can see is extremely long waiting time for repair

[Paul9999]

picked it up few days ago. Picture as promised

[Onti]

Awesome, I have always wanted a Navitimer. Enjoy it.

[Chester01]

Great pick up. The navitimer is far underappreciated and much like all chronos these days obscured by the shadow of the daytona. The watch has real heritage and is one of the most significant chronos ever. While being a busy dial, its very easy to read.

[captainron62]

I am 7 3/4 and I don't go above 43. Breilting watches are eye catchers and if you go to big you start to get into that Invicta look in my opinion. Looks like you made an excellent choice!

[Tzmore]

I would try out 43mm to start with, 44mm might be big for your wrist and might not give you that perfect and comfortable fit...my opinion.

[DJ2020]

I have the 41mm and a 7.25" wrist. But yours looks great!

[BillA]

Mine says hello….

[Dave455]

Congratulations, it looks great!

I think that sometimes, with Navitimers, folks tend to concentrate on the slide rule aspect, and lose sight of the fact that they really are superb chronographs. The B01 movement is one of the best out there.

The other thing I like is that there are so many variations, by the time you have added the particular strap you want, you can end up with a watch with an almost unique look. Good choice on the strap by the way, that’s what I would have gone for.

If you see an actual watch and think “that’s for me” you often make a better decision than researching online. I’ve seen some watches online that just didn’t do it for me in reality. Some years ago I bought my first Breitling, a blue Chrono Cockpit, as almost an impulse buy (though I did think about it for a day). To this day it’s a favourite!

[Justindo]

Congratulations. I definitely think 43 is the best size and it could be argued that two tone is the best of both worlds.

[VCO-LUST]

Originally Posted by Dave455

Congratulations, it looks great!

I think that sometimes, with Navitimers, folks tend to concentrate on the slide rule aspect, and lose sight of the fact that they really are superb chronographs. The B01 movement is one of the best out there.

The other thing I like is that there are so many variations, by the time you have added the particular strap you want, you can end up with a watch with an almost unique look. Good choice on the strap by the way, that’s what I would have gone for.

If you see an actual watch and think “that’s for me” you often make a better decision than researching online. I’ve seen some watches online that just didn’t do it for me in reality. Some years ago I bought my first Breitling, a blue Chrono Cockpit, as almost an impulse buy (though I did think about it for a day). To this day it’s a favourite!

Could you elaborate why B01 is so great? Im genuinely curious

[carl123]

Don’t wish to put people off, I must have been incredibly unlucky but I had 3 x 46mm b01 navitimers and after the 3rd replacement with issues I finally gave up and sold, cut my losses. I’m sure there are many many happy owners of b01 Breitling watches but unfortunately I was not one of them, shame cos it was a lovely watch.

[Dave455]

Originally Posted by VCO-LUST

Could you elaborate why B01 is so great? Im genuinely curious

Breitling have used many movements in the Navitimer over the years. At least 7 by my count, perhaps more, and generally speaking, each has been an improvement on it’s predecessor (the short lived quartz movement of the late 70’s being the exception).

A sensible comparison would therefore probably be the ETA 7750, used by Ernest Schneider when he re introduced the Navitimer (and confusingly called the “Old Navitimer” to distinguish it from the quartz models).

It’s a good movement. Used by a lot of makers (albeit in different grades) and I own several watches that use it. It’s not perfect though. It’s designed as an automatic, and while of course you can hand wind it, the gear train isn’t rugged enough to do this fully on a regular basis. It’s also prone to problems if you change the date close to midnight.

The B01 movement owes little to ETA designs, other than perhaps it’s size, and has none of the issues of the 7750. To my eyes, it owes more to Rolex designs, and I believe the recent collaboration between Breitling and Tudor is no coincidence. However, I digress.

The B01 then is a well designed movement, incorporating several improvements over a comparable Rolex. It’s designed to be sturdy, it’s of modular design, allowing for relatively easy servicing, and the chronograph module is a column wheel, which has to be a superior design.

Consider 47 jewels (compared to 25 I think in the ETA), a 70 hour power reserve and above all, if you have an opportunity, have a look at one under magnification. They’re decent. Hence I believe they are “up there” with the best, by which of course I’m thinking of movements in the same class, not some piece of “haute horology”!

I’m sorry, and surprised, that Carl above has had such difficulties. That hasn’t been my experience, though I have owned my Navitimer 01 for relatively few years compared to some of my watches.

[Hvrnaut]

Congratulations on your new Navi. It is, for me, the quintessential Brietling watch. (Some of their other offerings are nice, as well)

I have a 43mm 2010 Navi B01 LE and it fits my 7.5 wrist perfectly. The display case back also gives a beautiful view of the outstanding B01 movement.

The single issue I have with Breitling these days is that they abandoned the “winged B” logo on their aviation watches. Just does not make sense to me.

I put it on an alligator Rubber B, so it really does resemble your acquisition. Great look!