Navitimer Automatic GMT 41

Breitling honors its aviation icon with a new release: the Navitimer GMT. 

As Breitling turns 140, it’s marking the occasion with stories of its many incredible firsts, from breakthroughs in timekeeping for air, land, and sea, to milestones in sustainability. This month, the brand recognizes one of its icons. The Navitimer, the first wristwatch for pilots to combine a chronograph and a computational slide rule. Breitling has just unveiled a  new version of this line: the Navitimer GMT

“All this year, we’ll be talking about our 140 Years of Firsts,” says Georges Kern, CEO of Breitling. “And when it comes to these two watches—the Navitimer and Cosmonaute—you cannot overstate the significance they’ve had for our brand, for aviation, and for watchmaking as a whole.”

BACK TO BASICS: THE VERSATILE NAVITIMER GMT 

Breitling played a key role in the emergence of commercial flight. Its onboard timekeepers became standard equipment, first in propeller planes and later in the jets produced by the world’s leading aircraft manufacturers. When the design of the Breitling Navitimer came out in 1952, it was an instant hit with airline pilots in the then-nascent field of civil aviation.

The Navitimer featured a circular slide rule that allowed pilots to make critical calculations, such as rate of climb and fuel consumption. In those glory days of commercial air travel, the Navitimer was the original wrist-worn onboard computer and ultimately established Breitling as the “Official supplier to world aviation”. 

As civil aviation expanded, so did the Navitimer’s fame, attracting not just pilots but also trendsetters such as Miles Davis and Serge Gainsbourg, becoming a beloved icon in both aviation and pop culture.

Breitling began redesigning the Navitimer line in 2022, starting with the original chronograph. Today, it continues that update with a new pared-down execution: a GMT  in a universally wearable 41-mm size.

This piece distills the Navitimer’s iconic look, omitting the chronograph yet preserving a balanced dial composition. The central placement of the 24-hour scale on the GMT's clean face ensure the intricate slide rule stands out while streamlining the overall aesthetics.

Further refining the collection, Breitling incorporated a notched bezel for a contemporary touch, and alternating polished and brushed finishes that add a dynamic play of light. A strap in alligator leather offers comfort and convenience.

The black dial is encased in stainless steel.

This reinvention of the Navitimer, marrying the classic with the contemporary, is tailored for enthusiasts and the style-conscious alike, promising Breitling’s commitment to heritage and innovation in each timepiece.