Breitling added a new version to the iconic Navitimer model family that has been debuted in 1959. Designed as an exact re-issue of the legendary Navitimer Ref. 806 and introduced as a part of brand’s Baselworld 2019 novelties, the model combines both vintage and modern elements under the same roof.
Frankly speaking, I gave up wondering about when this Heritage trend will end. In fact, I am so used to it that I feel like it has always been there like since the 90s when I started to get interested in watches. Therefore, I now accept the Heritage trend as part of modern watchmaking and proceed directly to the review of the model.
I am sure that designing a Re-Issue timepiece looks like quite an easy task for most of us. Well, at least nobody will object the fact that it requires less effort than designing a brand new model from the sketch. However, it’s not that easy. First, you need decide the model that you are going to re-produce. This decision is so important that you can either became the eponym of a trend like Longines by making excellent choices one after another or re-write the epic reborn story of the Phoenix like Tudor by opting that one spot-on model to inspire. At this point, I would like to say that Navitimer 1959, which made me yell out “where have you been all my life man?”, was a perfect choice for Breitling.
The second part of the task is where you decide the features of the model that will be arranged to today’s standards. If you go for a 34mm model from 1960s and offer the re-issue version with the same diameter, you probably end up having women customers only. On the other hand, if you update the diameter to 44mm, you had better skip the Heritage part while marketing it. As you see, this part is also very important.
The model we have here for our review is optimally sized as measuring 40.9mm in diameter and 13.43mm in total height. The solid stainless steel case back is designed according to the inspired model. In the meantime, the water resistance rating, which did not exist in the original model, is upgraded to 30 meters / 3 bars. Therefore, you now have the freedom to look at your watch when it’s raining too.
On the front side of the case is the “beads of rice” style bezel, which was also included in the original version. Another component where Breitling’s effort to stay true to the original version of the watch comes to being is the crystal. Just like the 1959 model, Navitimer Ref. 806 1959 Re-Edition is also equipped with a hesalite crystal. A big step for retro design fans, an unnecessary step for me, who knows that the crystal will be scratched even upon a simple touch with my sweater’s cuff.
Let’s get to the dial. The model’s dial also offers similar details with the original version. The winged logo of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) is placed at 12 o’clock. Laid out in Tri-Compax chronograph style, the dial features the signature slide rule calculator scale as well. Let me tell you about a detail that I think is important. Nowadays, most of the dials are produced with pad printing technique by using perfect templates prepared in computer-aided environments. However, Breitling thought that a dial produced with this technique would be too new for a re-issue version of a model from 1959 and hand-painted the dial (Respect! emoji added).
The most modern part of the new model is undoubtedly the movement within. Navitimer Ref. 806 1959 Re-Edition is powered by the manufacture Caliber B09. The COSC certified movement, which suits with the retro-inspired concept of the model with its hand-winding feature, pulls through with flying colors with its column wheel vertical clutch chronograph function and a whopping power reserve time of up to 70 hours.
The model that comes on a black calf leather strap and a satin-brushes stainless steel Breitling signed pin buckle is limited to a span of 1959 units only. MSRP is EUR 7700.00. If you are looking for reasonably priced, stylish and faithful to the original as much as possible model with a story (is there any Heritage model without a story?), than what you should go for is the Breitling Navitimer Ref. 806 1959 Re-Edition.
