Breitling Rethinks the Navitimer with Smaller Sizes, New Colors, and Diamonds

While of course we are often used to a few new references here and there, Swiss brand Breitling has made an astonishing bet on their new additions to the Navitimer line-up, with a staggering 20 references released last week. Each slightly more unique than the last, the Navitimer 32 and 36 collections showcase not just the delicate beauty of these models, but the overall confidence that Breitling has on this historic design.

The Navitimer has come a long way from its utility roots to now be an object of affection for Hollywood stars like Charlize Theron, who heads the campaign for this release. First introduced in 1952 as an aviation watch, the beaded darling of Breitling has since become a mainstay in the brand’s repertoire. Now, with the 32 and 36 releases, we see a softer side to the potential that exists with such a timeless design.

From pale pinks to blues, greens and grays, each watch is deeply embedded in the natural world while being elevated by the artistry of Breitling’s design team. Decorated in a combination of mother-of-pearl, lab-grown diamond, and traceable gold, we see a balance between functionality and design that softens the edges a bit for an otherwise bold model.

The Navitimer 36 is, no surprise here, a 36mm stainless steel case that fits handsomely on either a man or woman’s wrist. The dial of the Navitimer 36 is circumscribed with the standard beaded bezel and additional slide rule (a throwback to the aviation history of this watch). One has the option for a mint green, silver, or anthracite dial with baton indices, or opt for a white mother-of-pearl dial to really steal the show, set with round-cut diamonds. The 36 references are powered by a Breitling Caliber 17 automatic movement.

To round out the collection, the Navitimer 32 is a diminutive cousin to the 36, more suited for a woman’s wrist (but we won’t judge!). Missing from this set is the slide rule, as Breitling has opted for a cleaner look, given the limited real estate of the dial and bezel. One can choose a pink, light-blue, or white dial, and all three options come with some diamond decoration. The 32 is powered by a Breitling Caliber 77, a precise SuperQuartz movement that, as with all of Breitling’s quartz calibers, has the added distinction of being COSC-certified.

Full gold and duotone versions of both the Navitimer 32 and 36 are available. Both alligator straps and stainless steel bracelets are available for the various references in this release. Prices in this collection range from $4,600 to $33,000 and are available now via Breitling.