New Release: Breitling Navitimer Swissair Edition with Thoughts

There’s nothing like news on a Friday and today some colorful, and attractive, information hit our mailboxes with the introduction of the Breitling Navitimer Swissair Edition.  In stainless steel and 43mm (as a Navitimer should be sized), Breitling tells us that this watch is the first to come of within a “capsule collection” of models that will harken back to the golden age of civilian airline travel in the 60’s and 70’s.  The watches will feature the names of historic airline brands and the colors that they used.  Honestly, I think it’s a relevant idea for the brand, especially since Breitling has earned its reputation as a pilot’s watch.  It doesn’t hurt that the first release looks so damn good as well!

The Breitling Navitimer Swissair Edition will be sold as a special edition (meaning non-numbered), but will be made for a limited period.  Inside, we have the in-house B01 automatic chronometer-certified chronograph movement that also features a date.  The piece will be available on a strap, mesh bracelet, or the “Air Racer” bracelet.  We’re guessing pricing will be around the $8K mark and I’d guess that the watches will become available within the first quarter of 2019.

Now, let’s get into a touch more opinion because, after all, you don’t come to Fratellowatches for press pics and a spec rundown.  Normally, a watch such as this wouldn’t pique my interest, but there’s something here in the Breitling Navitimer Swissair Edition that I like a lot: the color choice.  We’ve certainly seen Breitling dip into its 70’s library before, but this is fresh while invoking memories of some beloved pieces within the brand’s back catalog.  I’m using some pieces from Fred Mandelbaum (aka @watchfred) from our vintage Breitling Interviews reference article as examples, but let’s take a look-see.

First off, the legendary SuperOcean Chrono-Matic ref. 2105 comes to mind when looking at the Breitling Navitimer Swissair Edition.

Then, it’s hard not to see some Chrono-Matic ref.2110 when looking at the new Breitling Navitimer Swissair Edition.  The new piece may be more reddish in pictures from a color perspective, but the resemblance is clearly there to the old orange pieces.  Just check out those hands and one can see the link.  And, it makes the use of a date window in the new Navitimer a bit less concerning as the Chrono-Matics clearly featured that complication.

We’re not sure what’s next on the agenda for the capsule collection (but we doubt Hooters Airline will make the cut), but if the Breitling Navitimer Swissair Edition is any indication of what’s to come, we’re interested.   Some will turn their nose up at what is essentially an aesthetic change to a long-running model, but isn’t that what some of our favorite brands do all the time (ahem, Speedmaster)?  And plus, if airlines aren’t your thing, the airline logo isn’t visible from the front.  No, this isn’t a monumental release that will change the course of the brand, but I’d call it a fun, creative release that injects a bit of spark into what is arguably Breitling’s most famous watch.  Watch this space – we’ll be back with more as Georges Kern and team roll out more colorful pieces.

Information on the official Breitling site may be found here.