Breitling introduces the Navitimer B01 Chronograph 43 Tribute to Concorde, a limited-edition pilot’s chronograph celebrating the 50th anniversary of the iconic supersonic jetliner’s first flight. This new release from the Navitimer Stories series honours the Concorde’s groundbreaking legacy in aviation, pairing the watch’s aviation heritage with the aircraft’s unparalleled performance at Mach 2 speeds. The timepiece merges classic Navitimer design cues with subtle nods to the “White Bird,” positioning it as a modern tribute to an era of bold aeronautical ambition.

For over 70 years, the Navitimer has evolved from an essential pilot’s tool to a cultural icon, embodying precision and innovation across aviation, lifestyle, and technical realms. Originally designed in 1952 for the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), it featured the world’s first wristwatch flight computer via its patented circular slide rule, enabling critical onboard calculations like fuel consumption, speed, and time intervals.

The Navitimer’s influence extended beyond cockpits: astronaut Scott Carpenter wore it as the first Swiss wristwatch in space; Formula 1 aces Graham Hill and Jim Clark relied on it trackside; and cultural figures like Serge Gainsbourg and Miles Davis elevated it to style statement status. Created amid the jet age’s rapid advancements, the Navitimer now intersects with the Concorde—a symbol of supersonic possibility that halved trans-Atlantic flight times while cruising at 60,000 feet, offering passengers a glimpse of Earth’s curvature and the stratosphere’s deep blue.

Nicknamed “the White Bird” for its sleek, distinctive silhouette, the Concorde redefined commercial aviation when it took flight 50 years ago. Powered by Olympus 593 turbojet engines, it achieved twice the speed of sound (Mach 2), soaring higher and faster than any airliner before or since. Carrying about 100 passengers into the stratosphere, it captured the era’s optimism, pushing boundaries of speed, altitude, and human aspiration.

The Navitimer B01 Chronograph 43 Tribute to Concorde channels this pioneering spirit, blending the watch’s civil aviation roots—born in the golden age of air travel—with the jet’s futuristic feats. As Breitling’s Navitimer Stories initiative illuminates these chapters, the release underscores why the model remains timeless: a fusion of heritage, technical savoir-faire, and contemporary relevance.

“Flying with the Concorde was like nothing else. Today, travel is a necessary step to reach a destination, but a Concorde flight was an experience in itself. It’s only natural that we pay homage to the 50th anniversary of its first flight with our iconic Navitimer.” 

Georges Kern, CEO of Breitling

The watch features a striking blue dial evoking the stratosphere’s hue as viewed from Concorde’s cabin heights, complemented by a matching alligator strap for refined elegance. Contrasting white subdials and an inner slide rule pay direct homage to the aircraft’s “White Bird” moniker, while maintaining the Navitimer’s signature aesthetic.

Limited to 593 pieces—a precise reference to the Olympus 593 engines—the edition includes a custom-engraved caseback bearing “One of 593,” “Tribute to Concorde,” “Jetliner,” and “Mach 2.” These elements infuse the timepiece with historical authenticity, transforming it into a collector’s piece that bridges two aviation legends.

Powered by the in-house Caliber B01, renowned for reliability under pressure, the watch upholds Breitling’s standards as an independent manufacture producing COSC-certified chronometers.

The Navitimer B01 Chronograph 43 Tribute to Concorde revives the belief that “the future belongs to those who dream bigger,” uniting the watch’s practical origins with the Concorde’s audacious engineering. Fifty years after the jetliner’s debut, this release not only commemorates a supersonic milestone but also reaffirms the Navitimer’s role in aviation history—from cockpit essential to wrist-worn legend.

As part of Breitling’s ongoing Navitimer Stories, it invites collectors, pilots, and enthusiasts to celebrate an aircraft that “redefined what was possible” and a chronograph that has chronicled the skies for decades. Available through authorised Breitling retailers, the edition captures the enduring allure of pushing limits, both at 60,000 feet and on the wrist.

Key technical specifications:

Feature	Specification
Movement	Breitling Manufacture Caliber B01; self-winding chronograph; column-wheel; vertical clutch; COSC-certified chronometer; 70-hour power reserve; 346 components
Case	Stainless steel; 43mm diameter; titanium options in Navitimer lineage; sapphire crystal (antireflective); 30m water resistance; exhibition caseback with engravings
Dial & Functions	Stratosphere blue dial; white contrasting subdials; circular slide rule; hour/minute/second chronograph; date window
Strap	Alligator leather in matching blue tone; deployant clasp

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Visual credits: Breitling