Breitling Navitimer B01 Chronograph 43 Tribute to Concorde – a tribute to an icon at supersonic speed

Breitling continues to capitalise on perhaps its strongest heritage – the connection to the golden age of aviation. Now comes the Navitimer B01 Chronograph 43 Tribute to Concorde, a limited edition that ties together two of history's most iconic symbols of air travel: the Navitimer and Concorde. The result? A model that does not only look backwards – but is just as much about a time when the future felt faster, higher and considerably more exciting.

Text: Albin Johansson Image: Breitling

A tribute to a bygone era

It is hard to overstate Concorde's significance. During the jet age's most innovative period the supersonic passenger aircraft halved travel times across the Atlantic – at speeds up towards Mach 2 and at altitudes where the curvature of the earth became visible.

It was not just transport. It was an experience.

And it is precisely that feeling Breitling wants to capture here.

The Navitimer, which was introduced as early as 1952 as a tool for pilots via AOPA, has always had a clearly functional foundation. The circular logarithmic slide rule made it one of the first “flight computers” on the wrist – but the model has long since grown far beyond the cockpit.

That these two worlds meet is therefore more than logical – it is almost inevitable.

Design – blue like the stratosphere

In design terms Breitling leans heavily on the theme, but without becoming too obvious.

The blue dial is inspired by the deep colour tones of the stratosphere – the same view the passengers on Concorde got to experience from around 18,000 metres up. To this is added:

• White subdials that contrast clearly
• Classic Navitimer slide rule
• Matching blue alligator strap

The whole is well balanced and sits close to the Navitimer's DNA, but with enough twist to feel like something of its own.

The platinum bezel and the familiar layout mean the model still feels safely anchored in the collection – which is exactly the right way to go here.

The details that make the difference

It is in the details that this limited edition really comes to life.

The edition is limited to 593 pieces, a clear reference to the Olympus 593 engines that powered Concorde. On the case back we find engravings such as:

• “One of 593”
• “Tribute to Concorde”
• “Jetliner”
• “Mach 2”

It is nothing subtle – but nor should it be. This is a tribute, and it is worn with pride.

Movement and specifications

Under the hood we find Breitling's well-proven in-house movement:

Breitling Caliber B01

• Automatic chronograph with column wheel
• Vertical clutch
• Approx. 70 hours of power reserve
• COSC-certified
• Frequency: 4 Hz

The case measures 43 mm in diameter and 13.69 mm in thickness, which places it right in the middle of the Navitimer's modern comfort zone. The water resistance is 30 metres – entirely sufficient for the model's purpose.

Summary – more feeling than function

The Navitimer Tribute to Concorde is not a watch that tries to be technically groundbreaking. Nor is that the point.

This is a model that plays on feeling, history and identity – and does it very well.

Breitling once again manages to show why the Navitimer is still relevant, more than 70 years after its introduction. The combination of strong storytelling, well thought-out design and a proven movement makes this a model that should appeal both to collectors and to enthusiasts with a fondness for the golden age of aviation.

And perhaps that is exactly the whole thing:

This is not just a watch, it is a reminder of a time when people actually believed the future would travel at Mach 2.

Read more about Breitling at Eqotime.