Navitimer Story The epic saga of the Breitling chronograph

NAVITIMER. At first glance, a strange name. But actually it is an amalgamation of two words, corresponding to the two main functions of this revolutionary watch: NAVIgation and TIMER. A chronograph specially designed for airborne navigation.

From the very beginning of its existence, in 1884, Breitling specialised in timekeeping, designing timers and chronographs. It was in the 1930s that Willy Breitling made a connection with the world of aviation. Since then, these ties have remained unbroken.

In 1952, in collaboration with the AOPA, the largest aviation association at the time, Breitling launched the Navitimer, which offered what no other watch manufacturer was doing at the time: developing a chronograph combined with a slide rule for airline pilots. The Navitimer was only available to AOPA members in 1954, but was then marketed to the general public in 1955.

For 70 years, the Navitimer has enjoyed great respect, flown into space and endured crises without ever losing its original DNA.

This second book in the WATCH STORIES series, dedicated to the history of emblematic timepieces, follows its heroic and unique destiny from its creation to current models.