Breitling enjoys an impeccable reputation in the watch industry. Watch lovers have come to admire this brand for its consummate creativity and technical ambitions. Each collection of watches amazes the public more than the previous one. And it doesn’t matter how passionate you are about watches and how much knowledge you have about them. Breitling watches steal everyone’s attention.
One of the most remarkable Breiling collections (although they are all remarkable) is the Navitimer. Over the years, Navitimer watches have carried within themselves the horological tradition and the spirit of aviation. From simple constructions to the most technically sophisticated models, Navitimer watches are a real delight for pilots. However, you don’t have to be a professional aviator to own a Navitimer. It is enough just to love complex watches. If you are in this category of enthusiasts, it is impossible to remain indifferent to the Navitimer collection.
Speaking through the lens of history…
The first hero of the Navitimer collection appeared in ’52. It immediately satisfied the most complex requirements of the aviators, becoming an unprecedented success. Navitimer watches also won the appreciation of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. The symbol of friendship between the world of aviation and the Breitling brand is the unmistakable B-widget logo. It can be found on most of the watches in this family, suggesting the triumph of the brand in the conquest of aviation space.
After conquering aviation, Breitling set out to conquer space as well. Thus, in 1962, the brand launched the Cosmonaute line that accompanied Scott Carpenter astronaut in his space missions.
Therefore…
Thanks to the international echo of the brand, Breitling has come to be adored by everyone: lovers of watches, die-hard collectors, as well as those who cannot quite afford the luxury of an authentic watch. In this context, Breitling replica watches have become a guilty pleasure over time, being much more accessible than authentic models, but just as captivating.
Today, the replica industry offers an extraordinary variety of Breitling imitations. Navitimer knockoffs are among the most popular. However, let’s not forget that the replica industry offers different layers of quality. And in order to enjoy a viable Breitling knockoff, we need to find a decent and high-quality imitation.
In this article, I will talk about the basic differences between genuine Breitling watches and imitations. I will focus on the Breitling Navitimer 50th Anniversary model, which I personally find phenomenal.
General description of the model
In general, the whole concept of Navitimer watches is amazing. However, the distinctive detail of the collection is its bi-directional bezel featuring a slide rule set on the outer edge. Its function is to transform the watch into a real navigation computer that also has a chronograph.
The functionality of this rule amazes with the number of tasks it can reproduce. It calculates the amount of fuel and indicates the average flight speed, as well as many other aviation data. All this is easy to operate thanks to the easy gripping of the stainless steel bezel.
Regarding replica watches, you realize that such a complex rule is quite difficult to reproduce. In the same context, the intricate bezel is a challenge for replica manufacturers, considering the complexity of the construction.
No matter how hard they try…
Replica factories encounter difficulties in the execution of such a complex architecture. Consequently, I can observe small deviations from the authentic design. If you draw attention to the replica bezel, you will notice that the appearance of the outer edge does not completely match what we see on the authentic model.
The grip margins are noticeably more pronounced on the authentic watch, even slightly rugged. In contrast, the manufacturers reproduced them in a more rounded and smooth way, slightly compromising the “severe” aesthetic of the original concept.
Another difference refers to the indexes and gradations on the inside rule. In the replica watch, I notice that they differ in style and font. An equally important detail is the size of the indexes, as well as the spaces between them. The size of the indices is slightly smaller in the replica watch and the graduation markers are much too close to each other, unlike the spaced-apart markers of the authentic model.
Dial
Breitling watches, as a rule, are distinctive through a crowded dial, rich in indicators and gradations. The 50th Anniversary Breitling Navitimer model is no exception to this standard. But the beautiful part of things is that Breitling knows how to do things right. And this means that even if the dials are crowded, legibility is not impacted at all. On the contrary, you will be surprised to discover how readable the watch faces are, considering the multitude of details on them.
The dial of the Breitling imitation does not look bad, in general. The execution is attentive, without signs of major errors. However, I detect some critical design errors, which suggest to me that the watch is a knockoff, and not an authentic one. The first detail that sets the watch apart is the 50th-anniversary logo. Technically, it should be golden-yellow, but I see it as a reddish-gold color.
In addition…
The space between this logo and the 12 o’clock indicator should be small, but it is way too far between the elements. Also, the original watch has a logo slightly more pronounced in size than in the knockoff version.
Another obvious difference is the “date” inscription, which has an inappropriate positioning in relation to the date aperture. In the replica watch, It is found above the date frame. In fact, the correct position should have been below the date frame, according to the concept of the authentic watch.
An equally important detail is the incorrect markings of the 3 sub-dials. At the same time, the manufacturers attributed a different style of hands to the imitation. The original watch benefits from sword hands, in which the body is rectangular and elongated with a sharp tip. In contrast, the imitation comes with hands reminiscent of a “tie” shape, in which the base expands from the inside to the outside, becoming pointed at the tip.
Case
Breitling stands out for its generous dimensions when it comes to cases. I suppose it cannot be otherwise. With such rich dial details, a large case makes absolute sense, because space is needed to include the multitude of indications in the dial.
Either way, Breitling opted for a 42mm case for the Navitimer 50th Anniversary. The height is not modest, measuring about 15mm in thickness. Respectively, it is an omnipresent watch, observable, and with a vigorous personality.
The material of the watch is stainless steel. The difference between the original watch and the knockoff is the grade of stainless steel. While the genuine model is made of 904l stainless steel, the manufacturers executed the imitation using grade 316l.
The entire watch construction features a brushed finish. Breitling executed it flawlessly, I don’t even need to mention it. The replica watch comes with slight differences in terms of finish. The entire surface benefits from a brushed finish, with the exception of the caseback plate. It features a polished finish, clearly indicating that it is a replica.
In the same context, the difference between the authentic and the replica caseback lies in the logo in the center of the caseback plate. The knockoff proposes the well-known B-winged logo of the brand. The engraving looks pretty good. But the problem is that the manufacturers should have engraved a special edition logo instead, according to the original concept.
On the other hand…
However, not everything is so bad in this case. I have to admit that the manufacturers have successfully applied the brushing technique. The imitation has a very well-processed texture and the brushing is homogeneous on its entire surface. Even the spaces between the watch and the bracelet, as well as between the links of the bracelet, the steel is brushed according to the highest standards.
In the same vein, I appreciate the fact that the case comes with a sapphire crystal that protects the dial from impacts and imperfections. The advantage of the crystal is that it benefits from a double layer of anti-reflective coating. Consequently, the dial looks flawless through the prism of the perfectly transparent and reflection-free crystal.
The crown seems to be qualitatively integrated. It rotates easily back and forth, without specific sounds that would suggest malfunctions.
Bottom line
The greatness and recognition of Navitimer watches can hardly find a comparable competitor. They represent the superior standard of chronographs and, in general, of aviator’s watches. These served not only as time-indicating tools for aviators but also as orientation and guidance tools in the air. Over time, they became equally appreciated by those who do not exactly have tangents with the air but have tangents with the passion for watches. What to say? Navitimer is truly a watch to be adored and contemplated.
Regarding the reproduction of Navitimer watches, the replica manufacturers still have a long way to go until an ideal execution. And rightly so, because Breitling is impossible to reproduce.