The Breitling Navitimer has been the benchmark pilot’s chronograph since 1952 — and in 2026, with four case sizes and two movement tiers, there has never been a better time to buy one, or a more confusing one to navigate. This buying guide covers every current Navitimer reference: the B01 Chronograph 41, 43, and 46, the Automatic 38 entry point, current retail prices, and the size question that trips up every first-time buyer.
Whether you’re drawn to the circular slide-rule bezel for its aviation heritage, the in-house Calibre B01 for its mechanical credibility, or simply the most iconic pilot’s watch ever made, this guide tells you exactly which Navitimer to buy — and which to skip.
Prices and specifications as at October 2026. Always verify with authorised dealers.
TL;DR — Breitling Navitimer: 43mm B01 Wins
The Navitimer B01 Chronograph 43 (~$9,100 on bracelet) is the definitive size for most buyers: bold without going oversized, running the exceptional in-house Calibre B01 with 70-hour power reserve and COSC certification. If your wrist is under 6.75 inches, the 41mm at ~$8,800 gives you the same movement in a more manageable package. The Automatic 38 (~$4,900) suits buyers who want the iconic Navitimer dial without the chronograph price premium. Skip the 46mm unless you actively want a statement piece at every social occasion. At retail, all Navitimers trade at or below list price on the grey market — you’ll never pay a premium to own one.
Contents
- What the Navitimer Is (and Why It’s Still the One to Beat)
- The Complete 2026 Navitimer Lineup
- Calibre B01: The Movement That Justifies the Price
- Dial, Strap and Bracelet Options
- On the Wrist: Which Size Is Right for You?
- Full Specifications Table
- Navitimer vs. the Competition
- Price, Availability and Resale Value
- FAQ
- Final Verdict
What the Navitimer Is (and Why It’s Still the One to Beat)
Breitling introduced the Navitimer in 1952 for the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA). The circular slide-rule bezel was a genuine cockpit instrument: pilots used it to calculate fuel burn, airspeed, rate of climb, and time-to-destination before digital avionics took over. The AOPA wings logo at 12 o’clock was an official badge. This was a tool watch in the most literal sense.
Seventy-plus years later, the Navitimer is still the most recognisable pilot’s chronograph in the world. It has been worn by record-setting aviators, NASA astronauts, and jazz musicians — and it remains as visually complex and assertive as it was in 1952. The B01 generation, introduced in 2019, added what the watch always deserved: a fully in-house movement worthy of the name. If the Speedmaster owns space, the Navitimer owns the sky.
The Complete 2026 Navitimer Lineup
Breitling currently offers the Navitimer in two movement families and four principal case sizes. The B01 Chronograph trio (41, 43, 46mm) runs the in-house Calibre B01; the Automatic 38 uses the more affordable Calibre 17, and has no chronograph function. Here is what each one costs you — and what it costs you not to have.
Navitimer B01 Chronograph 41
The 41mm is the sleeper of the Navitimer B01 range and, for many buyers, the right answer. At 41mm across and 13.6mm thick, it sits comfortably on wrists from 6.5 to 7.5 inches — the sweet spot for everyday wear. The movement is identical to the 43mm: Calibre B01, COSC-certified, 70-hour power reserve, column-wheel vertical-clutch chronograph. You sacrifice nothing mechanically by sizing down. Reference AB0137241G1P1 in black dial on leather pilot strap retails at approximately $8,800 USD as of October 2026; the Rouleaux bracelet version runs roughly $8,900 USD.
Navitimer B01 Chronograph 43
The 43mm is the definitive Navitimer — the size Breitling had in mind when the B01 generation launched, and the one most often pictured on advertising. Reference AB0138241G1P1 (black dial, Rouleaux bracelet) retails at approximately $9,100 USD as of October 2026. The 14.25mm case height is noticeable in a shirt cuff — this is not a watch you wear quietly — but on wrists of 7 inches or above it sits flat and intentional. Blue, silver, green, and copper dial variants exist in the 43mm, giving buyers the widest choice in the lineup. Read our full Breitling Navitimer B01 Chronograph 43 review for an in-depth assessment.
Navitimer B01 Chronograph 46
The 46mm is for buyers who want maximum presence. At 46mm and 15.5mm thick, it reads as a deliberate statement — commanding at a dinner table, slightly overwhelming in a business meeting. The case back is engraved with Breitling’s founding year “1884” and the movement aperture is larger, making for a more dramatic display of the Calibre B01. Retail sits at approximately $10,450 USD as of October 2026. Recommended only if you have an 8-inch wrist or genuinely love wearing a bold watch.
Navitimer Automatic 38
The Automatic 38 is the entry point to the Navitimer without the chronograph price premium. It runs Calibre 17 — an ETA-derived automatic with date function and approximately 38-hour power reserve — rather than the in-house B01. The trade-off is real: no column-wheel chronograph, no 70-hour power reserve, no COSC certificate. But the Navitimer’s signature dial architecture is fully intact: circular slide-rule bezel, aviation indices, and the AOPA wings logo. At approximately $4,900 USD as of October 2026, it is a credible way to wear one of the most iconic watch dials in history for roughly half the B01’s price. Women’s buyers should also consider the 35mm variant in the same price band.
Calibre B01: The Movement That Justifies the Price
Before the B01 generation, Navitimers were powered by bought-in movements — the Venus 178, the Valjoux 7750, the ETA 2892. Reliable, but not manufacture. Calibre B01 changed that. Introduced progressively from 2009 and now the standard across B01-designated Navitimers, Breitling’s in-house movement is a column-wheel, vertical-clutch automatic chronograph. What that means in practice: the chronograph starts without the slight “stutter” of cam-lever designs, the column wheel provides precise indexing across stop/start/reset functions, and the 28,800 vph beat rate delivers smooth second-hand sweep. COSC certification (accuracy within -4/+6 seconds per day) is standard.
The 70-hour power reserve is a genuine differentiator. Leave the Navitimer on a bedside table Friday evening and it will still be running Monday morning — a meaningful convenience. The movement is visible through a sapphire caseback showing Côtes de Genève striping on the bridges and Breitling’s characteristic rotor design. Calibre B01 also powers the Breitling Chronomat and Premier ranges, so it benefits from scale production and a proven reliability record.
Dial, Strap and Bracelet Options
The black panda dial — black background, white registers — is the classic and the bestseller. It pairs equally well with the Rouleaux bracelet (Breitling’s signature seven-row stainless steel link) or a brown leather pilot strap. Blue dial variants in the 43mm are consistently in demand; the electric blue references have shorter Grey-market lead times than standard black because authorised dealers often sell them quickly. Silver and copper dials take the Navitimer away from pure tool-watch territory toward a more versatile dress position — the silver dial 43mm on a leather strap is the quietest version Breitling makes in this line.
Strap options from Breitling include the Rouleaux bracelet (included on most bracelet references), leather pilot strap, and NATO. Third-party straps fit the 22mm lug width on B01 models; the Automatic 38 uses a narrower 18mm lug. A quality 22mm leather or canvas strap transforms the look considerably if the Rouleaux bracelet feels too sporty for regular office use.
On the Wrist: Which Size Is Right for You?
The sizing decision is the most important one you will make with the Navitimer. The slide-rule bezel adds visual diameter beyond the case measurement — the 43mm reads larger than a 43mm Submariner or Speedmaster because the outer bezel ring adds perceived mass. Use this as a guide:
Wrists under 6.5 inches: strongly consider the 41mm or the Automatic 38. The 43mm will overhang your lugs. Wrists between 6.5 and 7.5 inches: both 41mm and 43mm work; try both on if possible, as personal preference varies. Wrists above 7.5 inches: the 43mm and even the 46mm become viable without looking out of proportion. The 43mm case height (14.25mm) is noticeable under shirt cuffs — accept that this watch sometimes gets attention on its own.
Full Specifications
| Specification | B01 Chrono 41 | B01 Chrono 43 | B01 Chrono 46 | Automatic 38 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reference (black/bracelet) | AB0137241B1A1 | AB0138241B1A1 | AB0139241B1A1 | A17325241B1A1 |
| Case diameter | 41mm | 43mm | 46mm | 38mm |
| Case thickness | 13.6mm | 14.25mm | 15.5mm | 12.9mm |
| Lug width | 22mm | 22mm | 22mm | 18mm |
| Water resistance | 30m | 30m | 30m | 30m |
| Movement | Cal. B01 (in-house) | Cal. B01 (in-house) | Cal. B01 (in-house) | Cal. 17 (ETA-based) |
| Frequency | 28,800 vph | 28,800 vph | 28,800 vph | 28,800 vph |
| Power reserve | 70 hours | 70 hours | 70 hours | 38 hours |
| Chronograph | Col.-wheel, vert. clutch, COSC | Col.-wheel, vert. clutch, COSC | Col.-wheel, vert. clutch, COSC | None |
| Retail price (Oct 2026) | ~$8,800 USD | ~$9,100 USD | ~$10,450 USD | ~$4,900 USD |
Navitimer vs. the Competition
The Navitimer’s primary competitors are the Omega Speedmaster Professional and the TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph. The IWC Portugieser Chronograph competes at a similar price with a very different personality. Understanding where the Navitimer wins — and where it does not — helps clarify the decision. For a full head-to-head, see our Breitling Navitimer vs. Omega Speedmaster comparison.
| Watch | Case | Movement | Power Reserve | WR | Price (Oct 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breitling Navitimer B01 43 | 43mm steel | Cal. B01, auto, COSC | 70 hrs | 30m | ~$9,100 |
| Omega Speedmaster Professional | 42mm steel | Cal. 3861, manual, COSC+METAS | 50 hrs | 50m | ~$7,300 |
| TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph | 42mm steel | Heuer 02, auto, in-house | 80 hrs | 100m | ~$6,500 |
| IWC Portugieser Chronograph | 41mm steel | Cal. 69355, auto, COSC | 46 hrs | 30m | ~$8,900 |
The Navitimer B01’s 70-hour power reserve is the longest in this group. The Speedmaster holds the decisive legacy advantage and better water resistance; its METAS certification adds genuine technical prestige at a lower price point. The TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph is the pure value play — the Heuer 02 is an excellent movement at roughly $2,600 less than the Navitimer. The IWC Portugieser Chronograph offers quiet elegance where the Navitimer offers bold complexity; they serve completely different buyers. The Breitling Superocean vs. Omega Seamaster 300M comparison is worth reading if dive watches are also on your shortlist.
Price, Availability and Resale Value
Unlike Rolex GMT-Masters or Submariner references, Breitling Navitimers do not attract a grey-market premium. You will generally find every reference at or below retail on the secondary market — blue dial versions sometimes trade closer to retail than black dials, but even then, no waitlists, no dealer relationship requirements. Authorised dealers in most markets carry B01 43 stock; the 46mm and some limited-dial 41mm references occasionally require a short order wait.
Resale value for Navitimers sits at 60–75% of retail for stainless steel B01 references in full-set condition (box, papers, original strap). That is consistent with comparable Swiss manufacture chronographs. Full sets retain substantially better value than watch-only sales. If long-term value retention matters, buy the 43mm B01 in black or blue dial — both are the most liquid secondhand references and attract the widest pool of buyers. For more on the Navitimer B09 Chronograph 41 unveiled at Geneva Watch Days 2026, the new simplified calibre offers a lower entry point for buyers who still want an in-house movement.
Final Verdict
The Breitling Navitimer is not a versatile, wears-with-anything watch. It is an opinionated, visually demanding piece that rewards buyers who understand what they are getting: aviation heritage, a complex iconic dial, an exceptional in-house movement, and one of the most recognisable silhouettes in horology. Buy the 43mm B01 if you have the wrist for it; buy the 41mm if you want the same movement in a more manageable size. Buy the Automatic 38 if you love the look but not the chronograph price. Skip the 46mm unless large watches are genuinely your preference.
The Navitimer will never be subtle. If that is a problem, the IWC Portugieser Chronograph or Omega Speedmaster Professional — both excellent alternatives — will suit you better. If boldness is the point, no chronograph delivers it more convincingly at this price. The B01 generation got the movement right. The rest of the Navitimer was already perfect.
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- Breitling Navitimer B01 Chronograph 43 Review (2026): Is Breitling’s Aviation Icon Worth $9,100?
- Breitling Navitimer vs. Omega Speedmaster (2026): The Ultimate Chronograph Showdown
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