50 years since the first Concorde took to the skies, and Breitling celebrates this occasion with a limited edition Navitimer B01 Chronograph.
Few watches are as closely tied to aviation history as the Breitling Navitimer. Since its debut in the early 1950s, the Navitimer has been synonymous with the golden age of flight, serving both as a practical pilot’s instrument and a cultural icon that has gone beyond the cockpit. Breitling is once again celebrating its aviation heritage with the release of the Breitling Navitimer B01 Chronograph 43 Tribute to Concorde, a limited-edition model of 593 pieces celebrating one of the most remarkable aircraft ever to take to the skies: the legendary Concorde.
The connection between the Navitimer and aviation runs deep, after all, it was designed to be a flight computer on the wrist for pilots back in the 1950s. The story of Concorde fits naturally into that legacy. Created at the height of the jet age, Concorde was a plane that represented speed, technology, and ambition. It was an aircraft that pushed the limits of what was possible in commercial flight, so it is only fitting that Breitling has chosen one of its most iconic aviation watches to mark the occasion.
The Concorde: A Symbol of Supersonic Innovation
When the Concorde first took to the skies commercially in 1976, it changed the perception of air travel forever. Developed as a joint project between Britain and France, the aircraft was designed to travel faster and higher than any commercial airliner before it. Cruising at over twice the speed of sound, the Concorde could cut transatlantic flight times in half, making journeys between Europe and North America significantly quicker than conventional jets.
Nicknamed “The White Bird” due to its sleek and instantly recognisable silhouette, the Concorde became one of the most iconic aircraft ever built. Its delta wing design and distinctive drooping nose were not just aesthetic features but engineering solutions to the challenges of supersonic flight.
Passengers flying aboard Concorde experienced something entirely different from conventional commercial aviation. Cruising at an altitude of around 60,000 feet—far higher than most passenger aircraft—the view from the cabin revealed the deep blue hue of the stratosphere and the subtle curvature of the Earth. With seating for around 100 passengers, Concorde flights offered an exclusive and unforgettable travel experience.
The Navitimer’s Aviation Legacy
Breitling’s connection to aviation goes back long before Concorde, and the Navitimer sits at the centre of that history. Introduced in 1952 for the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), the Navitimer was developed as a practical tool for pilots navigating the rapidly expanding world of civil aviation.
What made the watch revolutionary was its circular slide rule, which effectively turned the wristwatch into a miniature flight computer. Pilots could perform calculations such as fuel consumption, climb rates, ground speed, and distance conversions directly from the wrist—essential information in an era before digital instrumentation.
Over time, the Navitimer moved beyond the cockpit and became a cultural icon in its own right. It was worn by pioneering astronaut Scott Carpenter during his 1962 space mission, making it the first Swiss wristwatch to travel into space. Outside aviation, the watch found its way onto the wrists of Formula 1 champions like Graham Hill and Jim Clark, as well as influential artists including Serge Gainsbourg and Miles Davis.
A Tribute to Supersonic Travel
With the new Navitimer B01 Chronograph 43 Tribute to Concorde, Breitling brings together two icons that both emerged from aviation’s most ambitious era. The watch marks the 50th anniversary of Concorde’s first commercial flight and celebrates the aircraft’s legacy as the fastest commercial jet ever to operate regularly scheduled passenger services.
Visually, the watch retains the core design elements that have defined the Navitimer for decades. The circular slide rule bezel remains front and centre, maintaining the model’s identity as a pilot’s chronograph while also giving the dial its distinctive technical aesthetic. Rather than steel, for this special edition, Breitling has given the watch a platinum bezel, which seems to now be a common theme on the special editions, or higher-end Navitimer pieces.
In a 43mm steel case, this edition features a dial that is finished in a deep blue tone inspired by the colour of the stratosphere as seen from Concorde’s cruising altitude. The contrast of white subdials against the blue dial references the aircraft’s nickname, “The White Bird,” while also preserving the highly legible chronograph layout that Navitimer enthusiasts know well.
To complete the blue aesthetic, the watch is paired with a blue alligator leather strap that complements the dial colour and reinforces the refined, aviation-inspired design.
A Limited Edition With Meaning
Breitling has limited the Navitimer Tribute to Concorde to just 593 pieces worldwide. Why 593? Well, it references the Rolls-Royce/Snecma Olympus 593 turbojet engines that powered the Concorde and enabled the aircraft to achieve its remarkable supersonic speeds.
The caseback further reinforces the connection to the legendary aircraft. Engraved details include “One of 593,” “Tribute to Concorde,” “Jetliner,” and “Mach 2,” a reference to the aircraft’s typical cruising speed beyond the sound barrier. Together, these elements give the watch a strong narrative link to Concorde while maintaining the design integrity of the Navitimer collection.
Speaking of the caseback, powering the watch is the Breitling Calibre B01, the brand’s in-house chronograph movement that has become a cornerstone of the modern Navitimer lineup.
Introduced in 2009, the B01 was Breitling’s first fully integrated manufacture chronograph movement and remains one of the most respected calibres in contemporary watchmaking. The movement features a column-wheel chronograph mechanism paired with a vertical clutch, a configuration that ensures smooth operation and precise chronograph engagement.
The movement operates at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour and offers a power reserve of approximately 70 hours, making it both technically robust and practical for everyday wear. It is also COSC-certified, meaning it meets strict Swiss chronometer standards for accuracy.
Initial Thoughts
Both the Navitimer and the Concorde represent milestones in their respective fields. One redefined what a pilot’s watch could do, while the other transformed expectations of what commercial aviation could achieve.
By bringing these two together in the Navitimer Tribute to Concorde, Breitling has created a watch that celebrates not only a specific aircraft but also the spirit of innovation that defined an era. It serves as a reminder of a time when aviation was driven by bold ideas and ambitious engineering.
As for the watch itself, Breitling has done yet another good job of creating a tribute with a story, without being too overt about it. With a tribute or collaboration watch, it’s always nice to have some nods to the partner, but in some cases, less is more. Like the Navitimer Aston Martin Formula 1 edition Breitling released to celebrate the new partnership with the Aston Martin F1 team, it was subtle with just enough design elements to fuse the two brands. Clearly, this is a lot harder with a white plane, but the unique colourway seems to be just enough. After all, a good-looking watch is a good-looking watch.
Reference: AB01389C1C1P1
Specifications:
| Feature | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 43 mm x 13.69 mm thick x 49.07 mm lug-to-lug |
| Case | Brushed & polished stainless steel case with a platinum bezel |
| Crystal | Cambered sapphire, glareproofed on both sides |
| Dial | White and dark blue dial with Super-LumiNova® luminescent indexes, hour and minute hands |
| Caseback | Stainless steel, screwed in, sapphire crystal, special engraving |
| Movement | Breitling Manufacture Calibre B01 Chronograph. Beating at 28,800 VpH/4 hertz with a column-wheel & vertical clutch |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds, chronograph seconds, 1/4th second & 30 minute counters |
| Power Reserve | 70 hours |
| Water Resistance | 30 metres (3 ATM) |
| Strap | Blue alligator leather strap with a steel push-button folding clasp |