New Breitling Navitimer B19 Shines with Ice-Blue Dial
Breitling unveils the Navitimer B19, featuring an ice-blue dial, platinum bezel, and the brand’s first perpetual calendar chronograph.
Breitling’s latest Navitimer makes a bold statement with its ice-blue dial, platinum bezel, stainless-steel case, and the brand’s in-house perpetual calendar chronograph movement, the Caliber B19. Previously available only as part of a special anniversary edition, this movement now takes its place in the newest iteration of the iconic timepiece.
For more than 70 years, the Navitimer has been instantly recognisable by its circular slide rule, notched bezel, and chronograph function. A favourite among collectors, it is widely regarded as one of the greatest watches ever made. Now, with the addition of Breitling’s first perpetual calendar movement, it offers enhanced functionality, displaying the day, date, month, and moonphase while requiring only minor adjustments to keep it accurate for a full century.
Originally designed in 1952 for the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), the Navitimer quickly became an essential tool for aviators in the jet age. As the world’s first wristwatch flight computer, its circular slide rule was capable of performing all essential in-flight calculations. However, its influence soon extended beyond aviation, earning a reputation as a true style icon, worn by legendary figures such as Miles Davis and Serge Gainsbourg.
This latest version of the Navitimer features Breitling’s exclusive Caliber B19 perpetual calendar chronograph movement, first introduced in 2023 to mark the brand’s 140th anniversary. Its ice-blue dial is complemented by a platinum bezel, housed in a 43mm stainless-steel case with a beautifully illustrated moonphase at 12 o’clock.
Designed for ease of use, the mushroom pushers allow seamless operation of the chronograph functions, while the open case back offers a view of the movement in action. The Navitimer B19 is available with a choice of a black alligator leather strap with a folding buckle or a seven-row stainless-steel bracelet with a butterfly clasp.
“It takes a lot for us to use the word icon, but the Navitimer has earned it. Combined with the perpetual calendar chronograph movement, the B19 is a tour de force, never missing a beat for a full century. It’s a watch that will keep time for generations.” - Breitling CEO Georges Kern
The Caliber B19 marks a significant milestone in Breitling’s development of proprietary movements, a journey that began in 2009 with the launch of the flagship Manufacture Caliber 01, widely regarded as the benchmark for chronograph movements. The B19 seamlessly integrates Breitling’s chronograph expertise with a sophisticated calendar complication that automatically adjusts for leap years and varying month lengths.
To ensure exceptional reliability, the movement undergoes rigorous testing, including COSC certification for precision and an intensive 16-year ageing simulation. This includes 100,000 crown winds, 3,456,000 weight turns, and 60,000 shocks at 500G.
Designed and assembled at Breitling’s Chronométrie facility in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, the Caliber B19 boasts an impressive 96-hour power reserve and requires only occasional adjustments to remain accurate for the next hundred years. Now available outside its initial limited release, this new ice-blue Navitimer B19 takes the legendary timepiece to new heights, ensuring its legacy endures for generations to come.
