Rolex Alternative For Half The Price That’s Twice As Good

[roadwarrior]

Half the price and looks twice as nice.

Rolex Alternative For Half The Price That’s Twice As Good | Watchfinder & Co.​

Watchfinder & Co. presents:

The Breitling Navitimer is an epic watch, period. It’s got its lovers and its haters for sure, but even its most diehard detractors have to at least acknowledge that, of all the famous chronograph wristwatches, this one is the absolute daddy. And know there’s a new one.

Featured Watches:
Breitling Navitimer B01 Chronograph 43 AB0138241C1A1

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THE STORY​

Breitling’s iconic pilot’s chronograph – for the journey. In 1952, Willy Breitling developed a wrist-worn chronograph with a circular slide rule that would allow pilots to perform all necessary flight calculations. Two years later, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) announced the design as its official timepiece. The “navigation timer” – or Navitimer – was born. The AOPA was (and remains) the largest pilots’ club in the world, counting nearly every US aviator among its ranks. As the defacto pilot’s watch throughout the glory days of civil aviation, the Navitimer was worn by airline captains and aircraft enthusiasts. It even made its way into space on the wrist of astronaut Scott Carpenter in 1962. And it wasn’t only pilots drawn to the watch’s irrepressible aesthetic. Celebrities of the day such as Miles Davis and Serge Gainsbourg were devotees, proving that the Navitimer had style as well as function. There have been many iterations of Breitling’s icon since its debut 70 years ago, but this new Navitimer captures its most classic features, while enhancing them with modern refinements. A flattened slide rule and a domed crystal create the illusion of a sleeker profile. Alternating polished and brushed metal elements give a lustrous, yet understated finish. Most notably, new colors in shades of blue, green and copper, define the updated dial options. And if there is one update sure to spark nostalgia, it’s the return of the AOPA wings to their original position at 12 o’clock. For 70 years, Breitling’s original pilot’s watch has been beloved by aviators and tastemakers in equal measure. Worn by astronauts in space and the biggest stars on earth, it is Breitling’s most iconic timepiece and one of the most recognizable watches of all time.

AB0138241C1A1

NAVITIMER B01 CHRONOGRAPH 43​

Stainless steel - Ice blue
USD 9,500

TECHNICAL DATA​

MOVEMENT​

Caliber	Breitling 01 (Manufacture)
Movement	Self-winding mechanical
Power reserve	Approx. 70 hrs
Chronograph	1/4th second, 30 minutes, 12 hours
Vibration	28,800 v.p.h
Jewel	47 jewels
Calendar	Dial aperture

CASE​

Case material	Stainless steel
Caseback	Screwed in (sapphire crystal)
Water resistance	3 bars
Bezel	Bidirectional, slide rule
Crown	Non screw-locked, two gaskets
Crystal	Cambered sapphire, glareproofed both sides

DIMENSIONS​

Product Weight (Approx.)	159.0 g.
Watch-head Weight (Approx.)	76.4 g.
Diameter	43.0 mm
Thickness	13.6 mm
Height (upper lug tip to lower lug tip)	49.0 mm
Lug width (in-between lug)	22.0 mm

STRAP​

Strap material	Stainless steel
Strap color	Metal bracelet
Strap type	Straight
Lug	22/18 mm

 

[darkoverlord]

An interesting topic of conversation and WF&Co take what is probably an unpopular position claiming that the Navi may exceed the Speedy and the Daytona, let alone even compete with them. I suppose it depends on what your looking for and what you're looking at.

Heritage is arguable with the Speedy but yeah it eclipses the Daytona.

Finishing has to go to the Daytona with the Navi in second place and the Speedy a distant third, of course as pointed out the Daytona is impossible to get and twice the price at retail.... good luck.

I really feel though that the previous generation Navi had better finishing. You can see the reflection of the chrono had as it spins on by in the hour and min hands. You can see how rough the bottom is finished. Not a big deal of course. But in Rolex everything is finished. Of course on the speedy they almost take pride that the watch is mostly as it was in the 1960s.

Untitled by Gavin Gear, on Flickr

the Omega most would say as the best engine even though the Daytona is also tested to 6 positions and in the case. Omega has better tolerances. But it is also a manual compared to the automatics of the other two brands.

owing both the Speedy and the Navi I would say they are #1 and #2 favorite in my collection. But the Navi edges the speedy by a touch. Of course I have the previous generation which I think is better in many ways than the new. (the new crown is better)
Untitled by Gavin Gear, on Flickr

Celebs who wear the Navi... as if it matters
Travolta, Seinfield, Chapelle, Kurt Russell

Celebs who wear/wore the Daytona----
Newman, Pacino, Nick Cage, Jeff Bridges.

Celebs who wear a moonwatch----
Aldrin, Hanks, Clooney, Mark Knopfler

I know there are tons of others but I'm just listing some that really like the brand or just the watch not people who endorse (like Brad Pitt/Daniel Craig) or just buy a ton of high end watches (like Jay Z) except Clooney and Aldrin cause Clooney was into Omega before they signed him on and well, Aldrin is obvious.


I have no desire to own a Rolex Daytona unless I found one at an superb price and even then I'd probably sell it. That said... oddly I like the Zenith Cronomaster Sport. Its so similar I know, but small things matter.

 

[darkoverlord]

one other thing.. there is a matter of choice with the Speedy and the Navi too.

With the Navitimer there's a three hand and 3 sizes of chrono. With the Speedy there are so many choices it can make your head spin but if finishing quality is an issue for you, you can spend more and get a Speedy finished to the levels of the Breitling or even exceeding it and arguably the Daytona.

With the Daytona... even if you get called from the waiting list you get one or two versions of the same watch... tops.

 

[roadwarrior]

The last reason for me to buy anything in this material world is because a certain individual or "celebrity" wears or owns something or anything.

 

[buzzmartian]

I really do love that shade of blue on the Navi. Like Mike stated, I don't care if a celebrity is wearing a certain watch or not. I don't think there are any wearing any of the watches I own. The Daytona is over rated. Omega is the best bang for the buck IMO. I like my Steinhart version of the Daytona personally.

 

[roadwarrior]

I'm with you Buzz. If anything I'm drawn to trinkets that I seldom see someone else wearing. A perfect example is my OMEGA blue denim dial RAILMASTER. It is so unpopular the AD had to order it from OMEGA for me because they don't keep that particular model on hand in stock.

 

[darkoverlord]

@roadwarrior and @buzzmartian agree with you both. The WF&Co reference it.

 

[daycoo2]

for posting this one up, Mike.

 

[jimz]

Gorgeous timepiece.......