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Breitling Navitimer Ref. A23322 On Bracelet
First introduced in 1952, the Navitimer built on the design and movement of Breitling's famous Chronomat and upped the ante. The result was a powerful aviation instrument with a signature slide-rule bezel designed to perform calculations on the fly (pun intended). The Navitimer was more than a watch. It was a wrist-mounted navigation computer for pilots of the day.
A major moment for the Navitimer came a little over 15 years after its initial creation. In 1969, Breitling partnered with Heuer, Buren, and Dubois-Depraz on one of the first automatic chronograph movements. Soon after, the Navitimer received an upgrade from its previous Venus and Valjoux calibers.
Into the 1970s, quartz watches grew from an experiment into a massive commercial success, and Breitling, like many other mechanical watchmakers, tried to adapt by incorporating quartz offerings, like a quartz variation of the Navitimer, complete with its own digital LCD display. Mechanical variations reemerged in the 1990s, but it wouldn't be until the new millennium that Breitling's first in-house movement, the B01 Automatic Chronograph Caliber, would debut inside the Navitimer.
This particular Breitling Navitimer ref. A23322 is a quintessential representation of the historic aviation collection. What's most notable about this particular reference is the movement. The caliber 23 is based on the famed Valjoux 7753. This cam-operated automatic chronograph offers a date complication, COSC certification, and a power reserve of 42 hours. The Navitimer ref. A23322 was manufactured by Breitling from 2003 until 2011.
This Breitling is in overall excellent pre-owned condition, meaning there are very light signs of wear, including some small scratches on the case and bracelet that come with being lived with. The slide rule bezel operates smoothly and has crisp notches on the outer edge. The case has been professionally refinished. The caseback is marked with a Breitling logo, navigating information, the reference number, and the serial number "778XXX." During our quality control check, any necessary adjustments are made to ensure the watch is functioning as intended.
Founded in 1884, Breitling has maintained a prominent position in the world of luxury Swiss watchmaking since its beginning. Sports watches, in particular those related to aviation and motorsport, have been one of the brand's long term focuses, but it's in the field of chronographs that Breitling is best known. Among the names that make up its deep chronograph catalog are icons like the Navitimer, the Chronomat, and the colorful Top Time. After being family owned for decades, Breitling changed hands in 2017 and is now led by CEO Georges Kern, a watch industry veteran who has streamlined the company's collections and placed a spotlight on Breitling's rich heritage.
