What Makes the Replica Breitling Navitimer Such a Cool Piece?

Considered by many to be the quintessential mechanical pilot’s replica watches, the Navitimer made its debut in 1952. The name comes from combining the words “navigation” and “timer.” Not especially clever perhaps, but memorable nonetheless. It was an evolution of the Chronomat, which Breitling had brought out a decade earlier. Breitling wanted to build on the usefulness of the slide rule bezel introduced in the Chronomat.At 40.9mm – including the beaded bezel – the Breitling Replica steel case is the same size as the original, which must have been considered positively huge for its day. 

Even the bezel itself has exactly the same number of beads – 94 – as the 1959 version.Hours and minutes are shown centrally, along with chronograph seconds. Stopped minutes and hours are tracked on the sub-dials at 3 and 6 o’clock respectively, with running seconds shown at 9 o’clock. There’s no date display. Just below 12 o’clock is a Breitling inscription in capital letters and an unsigned winged logo.Inside is the new Replica Breitling Manufacture Calibre B09, a manual-wound movement developed specifically for this fake watches – but still based on the B01 architecture. Certified as a chronometer by the COSC, it features a column-wheel chronograph with vertical clutch, offering 1/4th of a second precision.Known for his dashing style and dynamic creativity, Elkann is able to combine in his visions high-quality craftsmanship with forward focussed design. 

This falls on very fruitful soil at Hublot, where innovation in design, material and technology are the cornerstones of their DNA. The latest replica watch is the first in a trilogy entitled “Sky, Earth, Sea.”Inspired by the sea, the Hublot Replica made from a light blue ceramic. This serves not only as an eyecatcher, but is also a technical tour de force, as it is very difficult to create such a vibrant color without the pigments burning up.The light blue of the bezel comes back on the dial, as the hour markers, but also the hands, are crafted in this color.