Breitling Navitimer Watch Hands-On With Video

Each year the Baselworld http://www.syrauto.com/best-breitling-superocean-heritage-46-a1732024-b868-aaa-watches-8n3f.html watch show begins with a set of simple rituals such as anticipating amazing new things from Rolex only to see an existing watch in a new color, and once again finding that Patek Philippe isn’t going to make a futuristic looking timepiece. Among the necessary things to do when a new Baselworld show opens its doors is visit Breitling http://www.syrauto.com/elegant-hublot-big-bang-44-mm-gold-ceramic-301-pb-131-rx-cheap-watch-8d3k.html to see the new Navitimer watch. I’ve discussed most of the Navitimer pieces at length so another explanation of the history of the Breitling + independent watch maker Navitimer range founded by Max Busser isn’t necessary. The idea was a personality driven collection of fresh, limited edition high-end pieces each year that emphasized spirited and extravagant design. Not really a money maker, http://www.syrauto.com/elegant-breitling-navitimer-world-a2432212-b726-imitation-watches-6s4e.html watches are less about income from their sale and more about media attention, gaining the potential to help people focus on the Breitling brand overall.

Thirteen Navitimer watches into it and most people on the outside would say that the Navitimer has been a success. They are most all cool, and it has put Breitling on the map with a new set of collectors who might never have considered Breitling otherwise. Though for Breitling, the Navitimer remains an enduring production as well as design challenge. The Navitimer collection follows suit and is an interesting new Navitimer timepiece produced by the very talented French watch maker Ludovic Ballouard. Formerly with F.P. Journe, Ballouard is known among select watch aficionado circles for his Upside Down watch. Elegantly complicated with a whimsical touch, his core talent is borrowed for something much more intense in the Navitimer.

Navitimer is probably the most difficult watch I’ve had to photograph (ever), and that is with two additional people helping me here at Baselworld 2013. There is a centrally-mounted sapphire crystal that has been smoked and faceted like a diamond. It literally absorbs light, making this watch a demon to shoot. It is however fun to play with. Building on Ludovic’s concept of appearing and disappearing indicators, the Navitimer has hour markers that flip out from the central area when it is their turn, and then flip back to hide until it is their turn to display once again. The same thing goes for the minute markers, that individually flick out as the hour passes by. At the end of the hour they all hide back under a periphery ring also made of smoked sapphire crystal.

When the time is 12 o’clock, the Navitimer finally shows the Breitling brand logo in the center of the watch through a small window. You can feel the entire watch shudder as the powerful system advances each second. All of this is possible because of a second mainspring barrel that stores energy to supply energy for all of the “jump appearing” hour and minute indicators. Red-tipped hour indicators signify five minute increments. The system is very cool.

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