Breitling Reimagines A Jazz Classic With The Navitimer B09 Chronograph 41 Tribute To Miles Davis
Breitling honors the centennial of Miles Davis’s birth with the new Navitimer B09 Chronograph 41 Tribute to Miles Davis. This limited-edition Navitimer revives a host of vintage design cues to create a fitting tribute to the pioneering jazz musician. At its heart is the manually wound B09 caliber, recalling the hand-wound Navitimers of the 1960s before automatic chronographs arrived. Breitling has also reinstated the historic Twin-Jet logo beneath 12 o’clock, complete with cream-colored Super-LumiNova. The logo mirrors that seen on Davis’s Navitimer. Another notable return is the Air Racer bracelet, which disappeared from Breitling’s catalog in 2019 and now makes an unexpected comeback.
The famous photograph of Miles Davis mid-performance with a reverse-panda Navitimer on his wrist remains one of the enduring images of the mechanical-watch era. Even in black and white, the distinctive dial layout and white slide rule are instantly recognizable. Although Breitling never officially partnered with Davis during his lifetime, the association runs deep. Alongside figures such as Serge Gainsbourg, Graham Hill, and Jim Clark, Miles Davis remains one of the personalities most closely linked to the Navitimer story.
Breitling Navitimer B09 Chronograph 41 Tribute to Miles Davis
To celebrate Davis’s legacy, Breitling has created a Navitimer that leans heavily into its heritage. The 41mm stainless steel case houses the manually wound B09 caliber. Compared to the automatic B01-powered Navitimer, the hand-wound movement allows the case a slightly slimmer 13mm profile. It also eliminates the date window, resulting in a cleaner, more balanced dial layout.
For long-time Navitimer enthusiasts, the most obvious change is the return of the Twin-Jet logo. This emblem became the primary Navitimer signature from late 1964 until 1979, after replacing the AOPA wings on many civilian models. Breitling briefly revived it in 2002 on the Navitimer 50th Anniversary ref. A41322, and it feels right at home here.
More importantly, it stops this watch from becoming another generic vintage-inspired release. The Twin-Jet logo adds authenticity without turning this Navitimer into a direct reissue, giving collectors a subtle cue that Breitling has done its homework.
Heritage traits
Another welcome return is the small inner scale marking the hours up to nine (9:00) for the slide rule. This detail appeared on early Navitimer references but gradually disappeared from many modern versions. I’ve never fully understood why.
If the goal is to simplify the Navitimer, then perhaps the entire slide rule should go. The complexity is the point. The overlapping scales, calculations, and visual density are what make a Navitimer instantly recognizable. Remove too much, and you lose part of its character.
Breitling recently reinstated this scale on the Navitimer B01 Chronograph 43 Aston Martin Formula One Team edition. Whether that signals a permanent shift remains to be seen, but I hope it does. The same goes for another revived detail — the square outline surrounding the “MPH” designation. Also seen on the Aston Martin edition, this feature echoes the earliest reference 806 Navitimers from the 1950s, right down to the curved underline beneath the lettering.
A “greatest hits” Navitimer
It’s important to note that this isn’t a one-to-one recreation of any historical reference. Instead, Breitling has assembled a carefully curated collection of vintage Navitimer details while retaining modern usability.
The crystal, for example, is cambered sapphire rather than acrylic. The bezel retains the contemporary notched profile rather than reverting to the bead-style design found on vintage pieces. And the case back, rather than being all metal, offers a view of the B09 movement through the sapphire crystal. These choices help the watch feel modern despite its obvious nostalgia.
The real surprise is the optional Air Racer bracelet. While many associate it with Serge Gainsbourg, the perforated bracelet style became a defining Breitling look during the 1960s. Its vented construction allowed greater airflow on the wrist while adding a sporty aesthetic inspired by automotive design. Although Breitling discontinued it in 2019, its return here feels entirely appropriate.
The updated bracelet retains the original look while benefiting from modern engineering, including improved articulation at the clasp. Given that CEO Georges Kern has publicly expressed his fondness for the Air Racer bracelet design, perhaps this won’t be the last time we see it.
Gold and platinum records
The stainless steel Tribute to Miles Davis is limited to 500 pieces and features a “One of 500” engraving on the caseback.
Alongside it sits a far more exclusive offering — a 50-set collection, with each containing individually numbered steel, gold, and platinum editions.
The version in 18K yellow gold retains the reverse-panda aesthetic of the steel model, while the platinum watch introduces a blue dial with contrasting white sub-dials. Calfskin straps accompany each piece, with brown for steel, black for gold, and blue for platinum.
The presentation box resembles a trumpet case and includes a miniature red trumpet set against a blue interior. It’s an unmistakable nod to Kind of Blue, Davis’s landmark 1959 album and one of the most influential jazz recordings ever made.
Purchase of either edition also grants membership to the brand’s forthcoming Breitling Social Club. The initiative, expected to launch in Williamsburg, New York, in late 2027, aims to create a dedicated community space for collectors through events, experiences, and hospitality programs. Buyers of the steel watch will receive a two-year membership, while owners of the three-watch set will be granted lifetime access.
Final thoughts, specs, and pricing
As a musician, Miles Davis was one of the defining cultural figures of the 20th century. His influence stretches across jazz, popular music, fashion, and wider culture. Albums such as Kind of Blue continue to inspire new generations of listeners and musicians alike.
That said, Davis remains a complicated figure. His extraordinary artistic achievements sit alongside aspects of his personal life that are far less admirable. It’s possible to celebrate his contribution to music while acknowledging that distinction. In many ways, this watch follows the same approach. Rather than attempting to tell the man’s story, Breitling focuses on the enduring image of Miles Davis the performer, photographed with a Navitimer on his wrist.
The result is one of the strongest modern heritage Navitimers yet, not because it copies a specific vintage reference but, rather, because it understands what made those watches compelling in the first place.
The Breitling Navitimer B09 Chronograph 41 Tribute to Miles Davis is priced at £7,350 on leather and £7,850 on the Air Racer bracelet. Pricing for the three-watch limited-edition set is £76,500. More information is available through Breitling’s website.
