Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. Breitling Navitimer Super 8, Inspired by a WWII Stopwatch
When Breitling goes wild, pilot-inspired and vintage!
We just introduced to you the new Navitimer 1 Automatic, a clean, historically-relevant and smaller piece in the collection. That’s not all the brand will have at Baselworld 2018. Breitling will also look at the other side of the range, with a true instrument piece. Voluntarily large, properly masculine and bold, made with ruggedness and inspired by a past model of the brand, here is the Breitling Navitimer Super 8.
Background
The new Breitling Navitimer Super 8 is inspired by the Reference 637 stopwatch, which was used in the Second World War by bomber pilots and crews. This Reference 637 was strapped to the aviators’ thighs, which allowed optimal readability and ease of use. The crown was located on the left side of the case, and its prominent size and positioning meant that an aviator’s hand – even gloved – could easily maneuver it.
Because the Reference 637 was strapped to the thigh, the crown was ideally located at the top of the case. The pusher was used to activate the count-up and count-down functions that allowed the aviators to execute their missions with precision. This rather unknown military reference, made by the Breitling Huit department, is now the base for a new piece in the Navitimer 8 collection.
The Breitling Navitimer Super 8
The new Breitling Navitimer Super 8 is inspired by this massive timing instrument but is not a copy of this antique aviation tool. It is first and foremost a watch that indicates the time, and not a stopwatch. It does not feature any other indication that the regular 3 hands – H, M, S. Yet, whether you look at the case or the overall idea of this watch, it has some strong resemblances.
While the reference 637 was meant to be strapped to the aviators’ tights, the new Breitling Navitimer Super 8 is a wristwatch… but one that is voluntarily big, bold, tool-ish, rugged and highly protected. The case measures 46mm, and even goes to 50mm once the larges notches comes in the equation. Yes, 5 centimeters of watch. Clearly, not a discreet dress watch. But that’s the goal of this piece, which represents the top of the Navitimer 8 collection, as a sort of flagship and authentic pilot’s watch.
The crown, with it prominent shape, is located at 9 o’clock to offer more comfort when worn on the left wrist. Two versions will be available. The first one features a steel case with black dial. The second, showed here, has a titanium case with a military green dial.
The connection between this Breitling Navitimer Super 8 and the rest of the 8 collection can be seen on the dial. Same hour markers, same hands, same overall style. Large, luminescent Arabic numerals and hands make this watch easy to read in all lighting conditions. The bezel is bi-directional and features a red triangular pointer inside the dial, making it easy to track elapsed times.
Inside the muscular of the Navitimer Super 8 is the manufacture calibre B20, based on the Tudor Caliber MT 5612, an automatic movement with exclusive finishing, wound by a dual-acting ball-bearing rotor. It delivers over 70 hours of power reserve. The watch is water- resistant to 3 bar (30 meters) and, like every Breitling, the Navitimer Super 8 is a COSC-certified chronometer.
The Breitling Navitimer Super 8 is worn on a leather NATO strap. Price and availability to be confirmed during Baselworld 2018. www.breitling.com.
