Get to know the Breitling Navitimer 8 B01 – and its historical and strategic background
Is it breitling watches copy? Is it aviation timing? Why was this watch created?
It’s a fact: Breitling is changing. Since Georges Kern (former CEO of IWC Watches and former CEO of Richemont) and CVC Partners took over as head of the brand, some drastic changes are afoot. We all know that change is both necessary and the most complex thing to manage. The first incarnation of this new strategy was named the Breitling Navitimer 8 Series, a news that has already made headlines and sparked heated debate in the watch community. Now that we’ve had a chance to hear Kern’s voice directly, it’s time to take a closer look at the flagship of the series, the Navitimer 8 B01 chronograph, and try to give you a clearer idea of what’s new in the series. brand.
Breitling’s new strategyBefore we begin to unravel the daunting task of Navitimer 8 high quality copy watches, it's important to understand the new global strategy Kern is deploying. First, New Breitling is built around a new financial team (all top managers are shareholders and are involved in the day-to-day business of the brand). The new logo conveys the first clear message. The two wings are gone, leaving only the stylized B and Breitling. what does that mean? Breitling is not just about aviation. Of course, air is an important part of the brand's history, but it's more than that. Today, the brand has several water-themed collections. This is where the new strategy comes from. Four collections or product families will be created that are clearly different from each other:
Navitimer – Everything aviation related, including Navitimer 1 (well known, with slide rule) and Navitimer 8 (new)SuperOcean – everything related to diving and sailingPremier – a more elegant collection connected to the land, based on the roots of the TransOcean collectionChronomat – a multifunctional watch with a more powerful concept
Each range will also include three sections – Elegance, Elegance/Sports, and Instrumentation/SuperSports. Additionally, the collection, which currently contains around 600 references, will be significantly pared down, with the goal of containing only 150 references - for greater clarity. In terms of products, large diameters (43mm or 46mm) will remain part of the brand's DNA, but new, more reasonable sizes (38mm or 41mm) will be added to cater to markets such as Asia or the younger generation. /slimer person. For those who are afraid of seeing only modern watches, rest assured that the brand will gradually introduce faithful retro replicas of its past glory. Can you imagine a Co-Pilot 765 or a 1960s SuperOcean with concave bezels? We also aimed to create a connection between the brand’s past and present – a connection that is quite complex given the events of the 1970s. luxury Watches copy
It's too early to tell whether this strategy will pay off in the long term. What we can tell you is that this feels like something structured and well thought out. The previous management failed to produce any results since the team started working on it in August 2017. However, let’s take a closer look at the new Breitling Navitimer 8 B01.
Is NAVITIMER 8 from Breitling?We won’t hide the fact that the new Breitling Navitimer 8 Series we’re introducing here blows our minds. There has been much discussion surrounding this piece and its connection to Breitling. Many people don't feel the brand's DNA here - which shows that the brand still has a lot of work to do in terms of heritage, and that a large part of its history remains unknown to a wider audience. However, Breitling is more than just the Chronomat and Navitimer. There is much more to tell and discover. The new Breitling Navitimer 8 series is one example.
As well as being a modern watch, this new collection is also inspired by vintage Breitling collections – or, more accurately, from the relatively unknown Breitling division. Most of the design elements in the Navitimer 8 are based on the Breitling Huit division. The brand is best known for its pilot watches and is also a producer of airborne aviation instruments. The "Breitling Whit Aviation Division" was founded by Willy Breitling in 1938 to provide onboard clocks and other dashboard instruments for military and civil aviation. The name of the division was chosen to commemorate the eight days of power reserve provided by the onboard clock. master copy watches
Looking closely at these pieces, you can feel the connection between them and the new “Navi 8” watch. The notched bezel, the font, the utilitarian look, the railway minute track… everything that makes up the Navitimer 8 is based on these old timepieces. What’s more, the “Breitling Whit Aviation Division” not only produces airborne clocks, but also produces some watches, also for military use. The Pilot's Watch (Reference 768) is a good example, and the Navitimer 8 is a modern version of this watch - the hands, for example, are modern versions of the 768's hands.
All in all, the new Navitimer 8 is definitely a Breitling watch, but it needs to be explained and interpreted. It's not as obvious as one might hope. A brand undergoing such a dramatic transformation needs to find new design inspiration and cannot rely solely on a slide rule to create an entire watch collection. However, this proves that there is still some work to be done in heritage and understanding the brand. Breitling is more complex and richer than many people imagine. The brand is working on that.
NAVITIMER 8 Is NAVITIMER?This is the question we see the most on social media and forums: Is the new Navitimer 8 really a Navitimer? In a way, this is a fairly reasonable question, but again more background knowledge is needed to answer it. For most people, the Navitimer is just that - a pilot's chronograph with a slide rule and a notched bezel, a 1952 watch based on the 1940s Chronomat. This is an iconic watch, without a doubt. In fact, it's so iconic that most people think this model, this style, is the only Navitimer that exists. We understand that this is not always the case. The Navitimer (chronograph model) was the first in a line of pilot watches that included many different models, a variety of styles, and in most cases a slide rule. replica mens watches
As you can see, there are already watches with the name "Navitimer" printed on the dial, in completely different styles. Agreed, this is certainly not a common thing, the Navitimer series is a pilot watch series first and the new Navitimer 8 is a pilot watch first and foremost. However, if you look at older catalogs, you'll see that not all Navitimer watches come with sliding scales. Most were certainly pilot-oriented, but the 1970s and 1980s brought some more original watches. For example, take a look at these two watches below - both are quartz/digital watches, both have interesting shapes, and one doesn't even have a sliding scale.
Of course, we can argue about the legitimacy of these watches. They are certainly not the best examples Breitling has produced in the past. However, what we want to show here is that the Navitimer is not just a model, but a concept that the brand now wants to capitalize on: pilot watches. The Navitimer as a series will indeed include the Navitimer 1 (a historical model with a sliding scale) and the Navitimer 8 (a different, slightly simpler and more practical concept).
Taking a closer look at the new Navitimer 8, there are still a few details that solidify the connection between this new watch and the “historic” Navitimer. For example, the lugs (which you can clearly see above) adopt the same overall shape as the existing model, but they are slightly more compact. We left it up to you to decide whether the "Navitimer 8" moniker is relevant, but now you have the tools to make your decision.
What does the NAVITIMER 8 mean to Breitling?Interesting question...what does this watch mean to Breitling - other than the fact that it represents sales and profits (obviously)? If you look at what the brand looks like today, you'll see that it enjoys huge international recognition. It is one of the most influential brands in the watch industry. At least in the western part of the world. Breitling was successful both in Europe, such as Germany and France, and in the United States, where its large pilot watches (first the Navitimer) were very popular. However, it should not be forgotten that the current best-seller in the series is the Superocean Heritage II equipped with a Tudor movement.
However, Breitling has a weakness: Asia. Watch brands cannot ignore Asia, which is one of the largest markets in the world, if not the largest. However, the brand's sales in the region are much lower than in Western countries. The Breitling Navitimer 8 may be the answer to this question. It's smaller, or at least more comfortable on the wrist, less hardcore aviation oriented, slightly more modern and subtle, and it's designed to (but not exclusively) gain market share in Asia. Besides, the number 8 is not entirely innocent (8 is a lucky number in China).
Finally, the Navitimer 8 is also a new interpretation of the brand’s roots, still aviation-oriented but less hardcore. What we mean is that this is a watch that's a little more "mainstream," more crowd-pleasing and able to speak to new people, not just those who already know the brand. Breitling will continue to produce the classic Navitimer with a slide rule under the name Navitimer 1, and we already know that the new version will be unveiled at Baselworld 2018, while the Navitimer 8 will serve as an addition to the Aviation range rather than a replacement. . jacob and co watches first copy
NAVITIMER 8 B01 itselfNow let's look at Navitimer 8 itself. As we explained, this watch has Breitling DNA and is clearly inspired by aviation. However, this is a new take on the concept. No more sliding rules, prongs or fully polished bracelets here. Navi 8 is more low-key and more in line with the current market. That doesn’t mean there isn’t a rugged pilot’s watch in front of us.
The version we chose to look at, the one equipped with the B01 Manufacture chronograph movement, best defines the philosophy behind the range – remember, no fewer than five different models were introduced (see here ). It’s a respectable 43mm in diameter, and in that sense it’s still a Breitling, but with a mostly brushed case and shorter lugs. This means a more practical look and feel, and a watch that, despite being sturdy (13.97mm thick), is still wearable even for men with slimmer wrists or younger customers.
This version is considered the flagship and most “luxury” version, with multiple polished decorations on the case – pushers, crown, bezel, lugs sides. This gives the watch a more "premium" feel without looking too flashy. The B01 version is available in a variety of styles – on a steel bracelet, in leather, with a blue or black dial, or in gold with a bronze dial. An interesting point is the water resistance. While older Breitling watches have a reputation for being less resistant to external elements, these are water-resistant to 100 meters, making them pilot watches that can also be used for jumping into the pool. patek philippe first copy
The dial adopts the "reverse panda" style that will become a distinctive feature of all in-house movement chronographs, while the Valjoux-based watch will have a monochrome dial. As in this case, a utilitarian choice was made. There is no more B on the seconds counterweight, no more applied hour markers, the numerals are simple and clear, and the rails are clearly visible. The hands have faceted profiles and polished surfaces, creating a more dynamic look.
There are no surprises inside the Navitimer 8's case. We found the efficient, modern and well-tested B01 movement. This in-house movement is an integrated chronograph with column wheel and vertical clutch, a modern and technically interesting combination for a high-end movement. The power reserve of 70 hours is very comfortable, and the B01 movement is COSC certified as always. The movement can be seen through the sapphire case back, which is beautifully finished with Côtes de Genève stripes, perlage and polished bevels.
What conclusions can we draw about the Breitling Navitimer 8? All in all, it’s a well-conceived, well-made, and affordable pilot’s watch. It's also a pretty big surprise for fans of the brand, as it's a pretty dramatic change in strategy and a completely new design. Of course, this is not a watch for the long-term hardcore collector. This is a watch for the general public, a watch designed to please a wider audience, aiming to gain market share in (almost) untapped territory. jacob and co watches first copy
Technical Specifications – BREITLING NAVITIMER 8 B01Case: Diameter 43 mm x Height 13.97 mm - Stainless steel, brushed-polished decoration - Double-sided sapphire crystal - 100 m water-resistantMovement: Manufacture Caliber B01, COSC certified - Self-winding, integrated chronograph - 70 hours power reserve - 28,800vph - 346 components - Hours, minutes, small seconds, chronograph, dateStrap: Alligator leather strap (23mm/20mm) with steel pin buckle (optional steel bracelet)