New Release: Breitling Navitimer Swissair Edition with Thoughts

February 25, 2022

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.