Breitling Navitimer Releases New Limited Edition Watch Paying Tribute To The End of Boeing 747

Dubbed the “Queen of the Skies,” Boeing 747 marks the end of its production line, teaming up with Breitling for the launch of the brand new Navitimer B01 Chronograph 43 Boeing 747 - And yes, there are just 747 pieces available! 

Aircraft Heritage and Breitling Watches

“The Boeing 747 brought style to the skies, just as the Navitimer brought the spirit of aviation to style-savvy watch enthusiasts.” - Georges Kern, CEO of Breitling.

Sure, we all know that Breitling does pilot chronographs…in fact one of the most celebrated in the watchmaking world, known as The Navitimer. Manufactured in 1952, its initial purpose was for the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA). 

Inspired by the Chronomat as a combination of the terms navigation and timer, it would take the horological world by storm as international travel took off. 

By 1954, the Navitimer became the official timepiece of the AOPA. If you decide to buy a Breitling, chances are you’ll know someone with one of these beauties. Seven decades on, The Breitling Navitimer remains the go to pilot’s watch. Its awe-inspiring circular slide rule could undertake up to 18 in-flight calculations from multiplication, division and elevation to converting gallons into litres.

Breitling Navitimer - Source: Breitling

But rather than an ode to joy, this one is about paying respect to an aircraft marvel.  After the 1574th and last 747 jet was developed in December 2022, it brought the aviation curtain down on more than 50 years of this groundbreaking model. Even in contemporary times, The Boeing 747 has been the jet of choice for every sitting US President.

Since 1969 after its first entrance down the runway, Boeing was firmly on board with revolutionising air travel. As Chesney Hawkes said, this original jumbo jet was most certainly the one and only. 

Boeing 747 - Source: Wikipedia

Featuring two aisles and decks, The Boeing 747 was able to carry twice as many passengers compared to the next biggest jetliner. Flying in excess of 5,000 miles, long-haul flights were within easy access of a new and invigorated set of air passengers with a yearning thirst for wanderlust.

Hands On With The Breitling Navitimer B01 Chronograph 43 Boeing 747

Similar to the Breitling Navitimer 43mm introduced last year, the new model pays homage to the colour palette of the symbolic Boeing 747. Featuring a panda style design with a warm cream dial, black subdials and red inner slide rule, this limited edition piece has distinct light blue hues on the dial’s outer ring.

Source: Breitling

Buy a Breitling such as this piece and the sky may well not be the limit with its impressive host of characteristics. Firstly, The Breitling Navitimer B01 Chronograph Boeing 747 showcases the emblematic AOPA logo situated at 12 o’clock - a true embodiment of its aviation heritage. 

Watch out for the date window at 6 o’clock, the stainless steel case and Super-Luminova for the indices, hour and minute hands. Meanwhile, the “Boeing 747” has been discreetly incorporated into the slide rule’s inner scale.

However, there’s still more to discover when you flip this timepiece over. Yes, there’s an open sapphire caseback engraved with "The Original Jumbo Jet," and "One of 747," which epitomises travel. 

Source: Breitling

But it’s the remarkable in-house, Breitling Manufacture Calibre 01 that deserves a first class round of applause. Boasting a 70 hour power reserve, enough for nearly 3 long-haul flights from London to Sydney, this self-winding 47-jewelled, COSC certified movement beats at 28,800 Vph (4Hz). 

Housing 346 components, a column wheel and a vertical clutch, you are guaranteed precision and accuracy when you buy a Breitling.

Concerning strap options, watch lovers can benefit from black alligator leather or stainless steel, seven row bracelet. At just 13.7mm thick, this Swiss brand is one of only few remaining independent watchmakers to manufacture their own calibres. Seems like others need to move with the times.

Our View On The Breitling Navitimer B01 Chronograph 43 Boeing 747

So, what’s our take on whether you should buy a Breitling Navitimer B01 Chronograph Boeing 747? 

For starters, it’s a genuinely beautiful piece, tying in both brands’ distinctive aviation past, no matter how tenuous the link is. Great for travellers and those searching for a luxury watch under £10,000, this generally hits most of the sweet spots. 

Source: Breitling

Ok, so we may have let The Boeing 747 retirement pass by without grabbing anything from the stewardess's trolley. Nonetheless, its reverse panda style colour scheme is always a winner whilst drawing attention to both major aviation references.

After all, Willy Breitling was definitely on to something when conjuring up his first Navitimer, supporting a brand new generation of aviation enthusiasts. As with others already in the lineup, Breitling has many Navitimer colour schemes including sky blue with black and a copper accent to boot. 

And this specific model is just another in what many deem the ultimate pilot’s watch.

Conclusion 

With a dedicated following among watch collectors and aviator addicts, The Breitling Navitimer still stands up to the test of time.

A great collector's piece, its appeal has stretched far and wide to many A-List wearers such as John Travolta, Miles Davis, Charlize Theron and Simon Cowell. 

Limited to only, you guessed it 747 pieces, The Breitling Navitimer B01 Chronograph Boeing 747 has a retail price of £7,300. Looks like this timepiece has definitely got The X Factor!

Want to buy a Breitling Navitimer the smart way and fast? Then contact ChronoHunter here. Receive nothing but the best service and attention to detail when looking to buy a watch. 

Be it starting a collection or looking to buy that first entry-level luxury watch, enjoy offers in less than 24 hours from our trusted network of luxury watch retailers. Download our app today and save money on your next purchase.

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Further Reading: Breitling - Brand History

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