January 17th,2012 by Eric
Many watch producers market their timepieces as 'aviators' watches' however only a few of them could be purchased by any aircrew for the aim of aeronautical calculations. They are 'designer' pieces and lack the performance a real aviator would search for in a watch. Nonetheless, the Breitling Navitimer is a genuine aviators' watch.
Breitling have had a protracted historic association with the air trade, each navy and civilian. When Breitling was first established its most important business concern was making precise counters for each scientific and industrial use. Its specialised knowledge of constructing precision timepieces made it a watchmaker that might be in demand from the then, fledging aviation industry. The connection between aviation and Breitling watches was officially established when, in 1936, the British Royal Air Force issued Breitling watches to its aircrews.
The Breitling Navitimer is now over 50 years previous and is an iconic timepiece. Its design and performance have modified remarkably little over the years. This chronograph watch can be used to calculate air pace, gasoline consumption, rates of descent and the conversion of ordinary miles into nautical miles amongst other issues - all by using the round slide rule found on the facet of the bezel.
The legendary Breitling Navitimer Cosmonaute is still manufactured immediately and is almost similar in terms of motion and styling because it was when it was first made in 1963 for the American astronaut Lt Cmdr Scott Carpenter. He wanted a Navitimer however, because one couldn't inform if it was day or night time in area, he wished a 24 hour version. By the way, this was the primary Breitling (and perhaps only model) that went into Space.
Each Breitling Cosmonaute watch has a self winding, mechanical movement with a power reserve of 42 hours (approx.) There are a total of 38 jewels working at 28,800 vibrations per hour. The chronograph perform has 1/5 second, half-hour, 12 hours and fly-back. The case diameter is a minimum 41.5mm and is offered in metal, two-tone (metal and gold), 18k gold or rose gold. The crystal is cambered sapphire that is anti-reflective on each sides.
Different, present Navitimer models include the unique Navitimer, Navitimer World, Montbrillant, Montbrillant Olympus, Montbrillant Datora and Chrono-Matic.
The World is the biggest within the Navitimer assortment (case diameter of 46mm), being 10% larger than the original. It consists of 25 jewels and a 2 time-zone, self-winding mechanical movement. The case is available in steel, 18k gold or crimson gold.
The Navitimer Montbrillant assortment owes its name from the original location of the Breitling watch factory. It was on this site that the 'return-to-zero' movement and the circular slide-rule were first designed and manufactured. To commemorate, these watches are little more ornate; arms and hour markers are embellished in gold.
The Chrono-Matic Breitling watch was first developed in 1969 - Breitling created the Caliber II, the World's for self-winding chronograph movement. The watch was easily distinguishable by the location of the crown on the left-hand-facet of the casing. These watches nonetheless place the crown of the left-side. The motion has 38 jewels and each watch has a case diameter of 44mm which is accessible in both steel or 18k gold.
Whereas fashionable technology has completed away with the need for mechanical aviation watches there are those that still recognize the sophisticated movements of these watches but for those that do, the Navitimer watch from Breitling will definitely appeal. Breitling Replica