While some might have been worried about Breitling’s future — it has new ownership, management and designers — its new releases prove those worries to be unfounded. It is remaining true to its roots while making interesting moves forward. The new Navitimer 8 B01 Chronograph 43 is a prime example of creating something new from its archives. The “8” in the name refers to the Huit Aviation Department (huit means eight in French) that Breitling established in 1938 to create cockpit instruments and pilot watches. It houses Breitling’s exclusive in-house Breitling Manufacture caliber 01 with 70 hours of power reserve and a patented self-centering system to reset the chronograph counters to zero. The COSC-certified chronometer watch features a bronze-colored dial with silver subdials and rose-gold numerals. One of its most eye-catching features is the simplicity of the new notched bezel that has a clean, sophisticated and modern look. The double anti-reflective sapphire crystal and caseback reveals the movement, and it is water resistant to 10 bar.
$21,000 available at Breitling in New York, contact Jaclyn Nation, store manager, jaclyn.nation@breitlingusa.com, +1 855 999 1884, breitling.com