ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX
23 January 2018, 03:27 PM | #1 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Real Name: Dave
Location: NYC
Posts: 7,178
|
Which is the Purist’s Navitimer?
Hey guys,
I’m looking to complete what I call my “basic necessities” collection, which currently includes a Submariner 14060, a Speedmaster 3570.50 and a PAM 000. Obviously the missing piece is a Breitling Navitimer. Looking around I see this AOPA Anniversary model popping up quite a bit. It looks like it’s very similar in appearance to the original Navi, with black sub dials and the AOPA logo on the dial. But the fact that it’s so easy to find, and oftentimes NIB, kind of makes me wonder what’s wrong with it. Is this an unloved model for some reason? Considering what I currently have, which Navi fits the bill? There are many. Is the A23322 the purist’s choice, or is the newer 01, or is the AOPA Anniv model a good fit? Then again, they also make the “Heritage” model... I know that they are all great watches with great movements. I’m just looking for insight from you guys regarding which would fit best into my little collection of basics. Thanks in advance! |
23 January 2018, 04:07 PM | #2 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Monaro, NSW
Posts: 846
|
Which is the Purist’s Navitimer?
Hmm. I'm not exactly sure why you picked the models you did, so it’s a bit hard to suggest the best Navi to match. In some ways though, since the Sub, Speedy and PAM are kind of one removed from the latest models, I guess the A23322 is the most appropriate. If, however, you are trying to link back into the brands heritage in a different way that I can’t see, then I might suggest something else.
It's an interesting exercise though. |
23 January 2018, 10:42 PM | #3 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Real Name: Dave
Location: NYC
Posts: 7,178
|
Quote:
I think you understood my question though. Your response of the A23322 seems to be right-on. Thanks! |
|
23 January 2018, 11:35 PM | #4 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: US East Coast
Watch: Dealer
Posts: 13,269
|
I like the one all the way to the right. I'm not sure why, but when I think of a Navitimer I think of it in this example with the reverse panda dial.
|
24 January 2018, 12:13 AM | #5 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Real Name: Justin
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 1,307
|
Wait until January 28th to see what the new Navitimer 8 looks like that Breitling and Georges Kern have been previewing on instagram.
|
24 January 2018, 03:18 AM | #6 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Real Name: Fred
Location: Zurich
Posts: 2,612
|
Purely on spirit, the 01 takes it hands down. I mean to tap into the brands history, you'd want to reference the Venus 178, that was a tricompax like the 01, and given that it got the bezel shape available in today's offerings around 1964, it would have to have a panda dial too. All black goes with rice beads, which no modern reference offers.
__________________
Greetings from Switzerland Remember, the dignity you surrender at your AD‘s doorstep will never be recovered by wearing the watch he may get you. |
24 January 2018, 03:21 AM | #7 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Real Name: Fred
Location: Zurich
Posts: 2,612
|
That's gonna be a whole different animal though... Not really a nod to what we knew as a Navi so far, more to cockpit clocks and pilot watches in general. Not going to replace the 01 either. Rather the entire Breitling pilot line will be called Navitimer going forward.
__________________
Greetings from Switzerland Remember, the dignity you surrender at your AD‘s doorstep will never be recovered by wearing the watch he may get you. |
24 January 2018, 03:22 AM | #8 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Real Name: Fred
Location: Zurich
Posts: 2,612
|
__________________
Greetings from Switzerland Remember, the dignity you surrender at your AD‘s doorstep will never be recovered by wearing the watch he may get you. |
24 January 2018, 04:38 AM | #9 |
Banned
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Bethesda
Watch: Apple TV
Posts: 5,744
|
cosmonaut is my favorite navi. I'd also suggest an original headwind, crosswind, or chronomat/blackbird. All of them have a really nice feel and capture the essence of their 1990-2000 era which were quite nice.
I've got a beautiful one that was just serviced for sale. I really am torn about selling it: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Breitling-C...item2f13ef8c67 |
24 January 2018, 04:48 AM | #10 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Real Name: Dave
Location: NYC
Posts: 7,178
|
Quote:
|
|
24 January 2018, 04:50 AM | #11 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: USA
Posts: 394
|
|
24 January 2018, 04:54 AM | #12 | |||
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Real Name: Dave
Location: NYC
Posts: 7,178
|
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
|
|||
24 January 2018, 11:52 AM | #13 | |
Banned
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Florida
Posts: 3,753
|
Quote:
|
|
24 January 2018, 01:31 PM | #14 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Real Name: Steve
Location: Indiana
Watch: PP/AP
Posts: 2,071
|
If you’re looking for the “iconic” Navitimer to me it is the one with a black dial with white subdials on a black strap. Now the debate comes from the older movement to the newer in-house 01 movement. The older movement is part of what made the Navitimer so iconic, but the newer 01 is all Breitling.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro |
25 January 2018, 12:43 AM | #15 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Real Name: Dave
Location: NYC
Posts: 7,178
|
Quote:
That said, all else being equal in this decision, the B01 may well end up being the tie-breaker. |
|
26 January 2018, 02:57 AM | #16 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Real Name: Fred
Location: Zurich
Posts: 2,612
|
I think the coolest one you could get among the reasonably modern ones is the 2011 B01 Limited Edition from when they launched the B01 in the Navitimer line. Kind of a little piece of Breitling history. Obviously I'm not entirely impartial there, but there's a reason I like this watch so much.
As to the matter of Navitimers using sourced calibers in the past, the Navi's reputation was really built in the Venus 178 days. That caliber may have been made by Venus, i.e. not in-house, but afaik that was done in pretty close collaboration with Breitling and the caliber gained its legendary status as Breitling's engine. In fact I don't know of many others using it. To the point where even the 178 powered UG was in fact manufacured by Breitling. So hardly comparable with the ubiquitous 7750, which gained its fame for being... well... ubiquitous. And the 7750 doesn't have a column wheel, unlike both the Venus and the B01.
__________________
Greetings from Switzerland Remember, the dignity you surrender at your AD‘s doorstep will never be recovered by wearing the watch he may get you. |
26 January 2018, 03:23 AM | #17 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 257
|
Go for the Navi 01. It's got the iconic reverse panda coloring; the original, symmetrical subdial layout; and the better movement.
My take on the other two: If I wanted the AOPA design, I'd try to find the original Navitimer 806. As for the A23322, it's got the Navitimer look (with the proper subdial layout, not the asymmetrical one in your picture) but it's missing the wow factor of the 01 movement and the applied logo. |
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
*Banners
Of The Month*
This space is provided to horological resources.