The design of the Navitimer dates back to 1952, with the aim of equipping aeroplane pilots with a very useful instrument, thanks to an innovative slide rule that would enable them to perform all major flight calculations. Today, Breitling presents the Navitimer Ref. 806 1959 Re-Edition, which pays tribute to one of the Navitimer's earliest and most iconic designs, presented exactly 60 years ago. As well as announcing the launch of the first re-edition of its iconic model, Breitling also plans subsequent launches in the future. The Navitimer Ref. 806 1959 Re-Edition is a chronograph that echoes almost down to the last detail the design elements of one of the most admired early Navitimers, the Breitling Ref. 806, such as the all-black dial with tone-on-tone counters and the characteristic rotating bezel. The Breitling Navitimer Ref. 806 1959 Re-Edition thus follows in the footsteps of one of the most important models in the historical heritage of the House of Grenchen. To celebrate the production year of this specific design, a limited edition of 1,959 pieces has been produced, all individually numbered and engraved on the caseback. Breitling CEO Georges Kern is confident that the new timepiece will be enthusiastically received: "Over the past year, we have pleasantly learned that there are many people who have always been passionate about the history of Breitling and who are not only very interested in our new products, but also in our historical heritage and our first timepieces. The Navitimer Ref. 806 1959 Re-Edition will give new Breitling enthusiasts and people who have been following the brand for decades the chance to own and enjoy an exclusive model from our legendary past". First made as mentioned in 1952, the Breitling Navitimer is not only the most iconic of all Breitling wristwatches, but also one of the few authentic legends in the industry. This 20th century classic continues to be appreciated in the 21st century, more than 65 years after its first launch, and continues to meet the demands of a booming aviation market. Thanks to a circular slide rule that allows the wearer to perform all essential calculations during flight, the Navitimer was quickly adopted by pilots and, in particular, by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) in the United States. It became even more famous in the 1960s when it was worn by cult figures such as jazz great Miles Davis and Formula 1 champion Jim Clark. The Breitling Navitimer Ref. 806 1959 Re-Edition was created with painstaking attention to every detail of the 1959 Navitimer design. Like its inspirer, it features the Breitling inscription in capital letters and a winged logo without the 'B'. Few are aware that this type of logo was used for the European market, while watches sold in the United States bore a logo with the inscription AOPA. The Navitimer Ref. 806 1959 Re-Edition features a rotating bezel consisting of 94 drops, exactly the number found on the 1959 model. During the production of the original Ref. 806, the number of these drops, the 'dots' around the bezel, ranged from 125 in the early 1950s to 93 in 1960. This may seem like a small detail, but for fans of historical watches, it represents a significant element. The stainless steel case, which measures precisely 40.9 millimetres, was also specially designed for the Navitimer Ref. 806 1959 Re-Edition with the same profile and lug finish as the original Ref. 806. The watch is fitted with a vintage-inspired black leather strap. The famous circular slide rule, positioned under a heavily domed acrylic crystal and modelled exactly like the original, will be an evocative element for every Navitimer aficionado. In fact, the only concessions to modernity are the water-resistance, which has been increased to 3 atmospheres (equivalent to a depth of 30 metres), and the Super-LumiNova coating. This is a modern luminescent material, but special attention has been paid to its colour to ensure that it remains true to the luminescent material of the first watches. Applied by hand, it gives the dial an additional touch of vintage charm and character. In keeping with the original hand-wound calibre that powered the first Navitimer, a completely new hand-wound movement was developed. The mechanical Manufacture Breitling B09 movement is based on the renowned Breitling Manufacture Calibre 01 and is a COSC-certified chronometer. This movement will be the beating heart of many other historical hand-wound reissues.
