Breitling Navitimer Aviator 8 SWISS Limited Edition watches

Breitling is expanding its highly successful Navitimer 8 collection with two special editions: the Navitimer Aviator 8 B01 SWISS Limited Edition and the Navitimer Aviator 8 Automatic SWISS Limited Edition. The company made these exclusive timepieces to celebrate the partnership with Swiss International Air Lines, the national airline of Switzerland. Since 2016, Breitling has been the official timekeeper for the airline, with an onboard presence on every SWISS flight. The partnership between the two companies is built around the companies’ Swiss roots and shared heritage. United by the same passion for aviation and commitment to quality and precision, they are among the brands that perfectly represent Switzerland around the world.

Both Breitling and SWISS perfectly represent Switzerland around the world

The new Breitling Navitimer Aviator 8 B01 Chronograph 43 SWISS Limited Edition (ref. AB01191A1B1P1) is issued as a limited edition of 777 pieces – a reference to the number of Boeing 777 airplanes operated by the airline. Housed in a 43mm stainless steel case, the watch is water resistant to 100 meters and features a bidirectional bezel with pointer. On the back of this model there is a transparent case back featuring a stylized turbine of the General Electric GE90 aircraft engine.

The case back is decorated with a stylized turbine of the General Electric GE90 aircraft engine

Underneath the front sapphire crystal lies a highly legible black dial with three silver counters at 3, 6 and 9 o’clock – chronograph minutes, chronograph hours, and small seconds respectively. The central chronograph hand features an aircraft- shaped base. Completing the dial is an angled date window between 4 and 5 o’clock. The Navitimer Aviator 8 B01 Chronograph 43 SWISS Limited Edition is powered by Breitling’s in-house Caliber 01. Comprised of 346 components, this COSC-certified movement beats at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour and offers a power reserve of approximately 70 hours. The watch is presented on a black alligator leather strap with steel pin buckle or folding buckle.

The base of the chronograph seconds hand is shaped like an aircraft

Limited to 1000 pieces, the Breitling Navitimer Aviator 8 Automatic 41 SWISS Limited Edition (ref. A1731S1A1B1X1) has a 41mm stainless steel case. Just like the chronograph version, it is also water resistant to 100 meters and has a bidirectional bezel with pointer. However instead of a sapphire case back, this model features a solid steel case back engraved with an image of a turbine engine. The dial here is also black and has numerals and hands filled with beige Super-LumiNova reminiscent of the luminescent material on earlier watches. The functions include hours, minutes, seconds, and date at 6 o’clock. Like on the chronograph model, the seconds hand features an aircraft- shaped base.

The vintage-inspired Automatic model makes a real style statement

Ticking inside the watch is the brand’s in-house made Caliber 17 with dual-acting ball-bearing rotor. Like all of Breitling’s movements, it is a COSC-certified chronometer. The mechanism itself operates at 4Hz frequency (28,800 vph) and offers a power reserve of at least 40 hours. Completing the watch we have a brown leather strap. Secured with a steel pin buckle or folding buckle, the strap enhances the watch’s modern-retro appearance. Breitling has not yet announced the prices for either of the watches.

Unlike the chronograph version, the Navitimer Aviator 8 Automatic 41 SWISS Limited Edition features a solid case back