Breitling Navitimer B19 Chronograph 43 Perpetual Calendar 140th Anniversary automatic red gold 43 mm

140 years of innovation

Founded in 1884 by Léon Breitling, the eponymous brand celebrates 140 years of pioneering spirit this year. An exceptional longevity, punctuated by major innovations that have shaped the history of watchmaking. From the first pocket chronographs to revolutionary advances such as the chronograph pusher, independent of the crown and enabling the chronograph to be started, stopped and reset to zero (1915), the second independent pusher creating the modern chronograph used today throughout the watchmaking industry (1934) or the cooperative development of one of the first automatic chronograph calibers (1969). Breitling has always pushed back the boundaries of time measurement. In 2009, the brand reached a new milestone with the launch of its first Manufacture movement, Calibre Manufacture Breitling 01, the undisputed benchmark for chronographs.

To mark this exceptional anniversary, Breitling unveils Calibre B19, its very first perpetual calendar chronograph movement, entirely designed and assembled in the Breitling Chronométrie workshops. This exceptional movement powers three emblematic icons of the brand, each produced in editions of just 140: the Premier, the Navitimer and the Chronomat. These “One of 140” limited editions testify to Breitling's commitment to perpetuating its heritage of innovation and exceptional craftsmanship.

The Navitimer: THE pilot's watch

The link between Breitling and aviation is above all a story of passion. Passion for flight, for precision, for adventure. This passion, shared by pilots and Breitling watchmakers, has given birth to exceptional watches, designed for aviation enthusiasts the world over. In 1937, the brand set up the Huit Aviation production department, dedicated to the manufacture of timekeeping instruments for the RAF and its Allies, products that had to be transported from neutral Switzerland to France and the UK clandestinely.

In 1952, the brand designed an innovation that would make a particular impact and become the world's first pilot's watch equipped with a circular slide rule: the Navitimer. Intended for the world's largest aviators' club, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots' Association (AOPA), it became the official watch of its members once production began two years later.

Presented as an “on-board computer”, the Navitimer (a contraction of the English words navigation and timer) revolutionized the pilot's chronograph with its ability to perform all necessary flight calculations, including average speed, distance flown, fuel consumption, rate of ascent and descent, and conversion of miles to kilometers or nautical miles. And the watch's fame extended far beyond aviation: celebrities of the day, such as musician Miles Davis and Formula 1 drivers Jim Clark and Graham Hill, also wore the famous Navitimer.

In 1962, it even became the first Swiss wristwatch to travel into space, on the wrist of astronaut Scott Carpenter, during the orbital flight of NASA's Aurora 7 capsule.

Navitimer B19 Chronograph Perpetual Calendar

To celebrate its 140th anniversary in style, it was only logical that Breitling should offer a highly exclusive edition of its iconic Navitimer. This watch, a symbol of aviation and the brand's pioneering spirit, was bound to mark the event with an exceptional complication: the perpetual calendar.

This Navitimer B19 Chronograph Perpetual Calendar 140th Anniversary features a captivating red gold dial! It is a real eye-catcher, with its sunbrushed finish and tone-on-tone counters. Despite the amount of information displayed on this dial, it remains perfectly legible, thanks to a clever integration between chronograph counter and perpetual calendar indications. The Navitimer DNA, with its applied gold baton hour-markers and the collection's emblematic slide-rule bezel. A perfect blend of yesterday and today. As a little extra, Breitling decided to make the moon phase a fairly realistic interpretation of the satellite, a nod to the Navitimer's origins as a scientific tool.

To house this Navitimer's complex movement and rich display, Breitling chose an intermediate-sized case: 43 mm in diameter and 15.62 mm thick. The length of the red gold case, kept under control at 49 mm, ensures optimal wearing comfort. The whole is sublimated by an alligator leather strap with contrasting stitching and 18-carat gold folding clasp.

The B19 caliber: a new benchmark

Breitling is one of the few independent watchmakers to produce its own manufacture movements. It launched in 2009 with the Manufacture Breitling Calibre 01, then gradually extended its range of chronograph calibres: the B02 with 24-hour function, the B03 with split-seconds and the B04 with GMT function. Many other innovations followed. The new Calibre B19 is the brand's first exclusive perpetual calendar movement, and true to its DNA, it is also a chronograph. Featuring a full calendar and moon phase, it automatically corrects for 28-, 30- and 31-day months, and leap years, guaranteeing optimal operation for almost a century without any major adjustments. To top it all off, it offers a comfortable power reserve of around 96 hours.

The movement's solid gold rotor is decorated with an engraving of the Montbrillant factory, Breitling's historic Manufacture, located at 3 rue de Montbrillant in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. The building was much more than a factory: its west wing housed a family villa where three generations of the Breitling family lived. For over 80 years, Montbrillant was featured in the company's advertising. Its name even appeared on watch dials in the 1930s and 1940s.

In terms of construction, the B01 is based on the same principles, with a column wheel and vertical clutch for optimal operation. And as with all Breitling watches, this movement is COSC-certified Chronometer.

An exclusive case

Each special anniversary limited edition is presented in a sumptuous suede-lined wooden case. Additional features include a storage drawer and removable travel pouch. Owners will also receive a special edition of the book Breitling: 140 years in 140 stories (Rizzoli, 2024), personalized with their chosen piece on the cover. The book traces Breitling's rich heritage through captivating anecdotes and numerous photographs.