The Breitling Navitimer is the most complicated-looking watch in the world that is not actually a complicated watch. The circular slide rule that wraps the dial — the defining feature since the reference 806 was introduced in 1952 — is a mechanical analogue computer that can calculate fuel consumption, flight time, speed, and distance. It was designed for pilots who needed to perform these calculations in the air without an electronic calculator. The Navitimer became the official watch of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association and has been in continuous production ever since. It is the original pilot's chronograph.
Why the Navitimer Is Worth Cloning
The genuine Breitling Navitimer B01 starts at approximately $8,500 for the steel 43mm reference and climbs toward $20,000 for the premium variants. The design — complex dial, sliding bezel scale, three-register chronograph — requires significant manufacturing precision. This complexity makes poor clones easy to spot and good clones genuinely impressive when executed correctly.
The Navitimer super clone at Jack Watches is a tier-one execution: the circular slide rule bezel operates smoothly, the three-register chronograph layout matches the genuine, and the dense, instrument-like dial quality matches the genuine's visual weight.
Navitimer Variants Available as Super Clones
Navitimer B01 Chronograph 43mm (AB0121)
The standard reference and the most common Navitimer super clone. The 43mm case with a black dial, white bezel scale, and three chronograph registers — running seconds at 9, 30-minute counter at 3, 12-hour counter at 6 — matches the reference layout precisely.
The circular slide rule bezel rotates bi-directionally with a corrugated grip. The genuine uses ball-detent click mechanism for precise positioning. The super clone replicates the corrugated grip and bidirectional operation.
The hands use a distinctive mix: white printed dial with black registers, luminescent white hands, and luminous markers around the perimeter. The chronograph hands (sweep seconds and register hands) are correctly sized for legibility against the busy dial.
Price range: $580 to $700.
Navitimer B01 Chronograph 46mm
The oversized 46mm reference for buyers who want maximum visual impact. The larger canvas makes the slide rule and register layout even more legible. The case is heavier and sits more prominently on the wrist.
This is the Navitimer for someone who wants the instrument-panel aesthetic in the most dramatic scale.
Price range: $600 to $720.
Navitimer Automatic 35mm and 38mm (Smaller Versions)
Breitling has reintroduced the Navitimer in smaller cases for a broader market. The 35mm and 38mm non-chronograph variants retain the circular slide rule bezel but simplify the dial to a standard time-only display with smaller registers. These are popular choices for smaller wrists who want the Navitimer design language without the full three-register chronograph complexity.
Price range: $420 to $520.
The Slide Rule Bezel: Critical QC Point
The circular slide rule is the Navitimer's most important design element and the most complex to replicate. On the genuine watch, the bezel scale uses multiple overlapping rings of printed information — the outer slide rule scale (logarithmic), the inner tachymeter ring, and the minute track. All are legible and precisely spaced.
On top-tier Navitimer super clones, the bezel scale is properly printed with correct font sizing, correct spacing between numerals, and a smooth bi-directional rotation with positive detent at each position. On poorer clones, the bezel scale has blurry or inconsistent printing, and the rotation is either too loose (spins freely) or too tight (grinds).
This is the single most important thing to check in QC photos before committing to a Navitimer super clone.
Chronograph Movement in the Navitimer Clone
The genuine Navitimer B01 uses the Breitling Caliber 01 — an entirely in-house chronograph movement with a column wheel mechanism, horizontal clutch, and 70-hour power reserve. It is one of the most highly regarded in-house chronograph movements produced in the past two decades.
The super clone uses a visually accurate three-register chronograph movement. The movement visible through the exhibition case back shows the correct plate layout and register architecture. Operational accuracy of the chronograph: start, stop, and reset function correctly. The chronograph seconds hand advances in smooth sweep, not tick-step.
Breitling vs Rolex Daytona: Chronograph Choice
Both the Navitimer and Daytona are three-register column-wheel chronographs with legitimate horological heritage. Choosing between them:
**Navitimer**: Complex, busy dial, instrument aesthetic, clearly a pilot watch, known to aviation enthusiasts. Larger and more visually assertive. The right choice if you want a watch that tells a story about function.
**Daytona**: Clean, restrained dial, three equally proportioned registers, recognizable globally (not just to enthusiasts). The right choice if you want maximum recognition and a cleaner aesthetic.
Both are excellent super clone targets. The Navitimer is for the buyer who wants something with specialist appeal; the Daytona is for the buyer who wants the most recognized chronograph in the world.
Superocean Heritage as a Companion Super Clone
The Superocean Heritage II is Breitling's dive watch and a natural companion piece to the Navitimer for buyers building a Breitling collection. The 42mm case with a unidirectional ceramic bezel insert, Mariner bracelet, and clean three-hand dial is a visual opposite to the busy Navitimer — simple, legible, robust. Super clone Superocean Heritage: $480 to $580.
QC Checklist for Navitimer Super Clones
**Slide rule bezel legibility**: All numerals on the bezel scale should be sharp, consistent in size, and correctly spaced. Hold the QC photo at reading distance — if the scale looks blurry or smeared, reject.
**Bezel rotation**: Should be smooth and bi-directional with a detent at each position. No grinding, no free-spin.
**Three-register layout**: The subsidiary dial at 9 o'clock (running seconds), 3 o'clock (30-minute), and 6 o'clock (12-hour) should all be proportioned correctly. The scale printing within each register should be legible.
**Chronograph hands**: Push-piece at 2 o'clock starts chronograph. Push-piece at 4 resets. Chrono seconds hand should advance smoothly.
**Bracelet or strap**: Pilot bracelet (Navitimer style) or Chronomat bracelet (Superocean) — both should have correct link finishing, secure clasps, and no lateral play between links.
Pricing at Jack Watches
Navitimer B01 43mm Chronograph: $580 to $680
Navitimer B01 46mm Chronograph: $600 to $720
Navitimer Automatic 35mm: $420 to $500
Superocean Heritage II 42mm: $480 to $560
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