Breitling Celebrates Supersonic Aviation With Navitimer B01…

Few aircraft capture the imagination quite like Concorde. A masterpiece of engineering and a symbol of aviation ambition, the supersonic jet redefined commercial flight when it first took to the skies.

Now, Breitling pays tribute to this extraordinary machine with a special edition of its most famous pilot’s watch: the Navitimer B01 Chronograph 43 Tribute to Concorde.

For more than 70 years, the Navitimer has stood at the intersection of aviation and watchmaking. Originally conceived as a professional instrument for pilots, it has since become one of the most recognisable chronographs ever created. Through Breitling’s ongoing “Navitimer Stories,” the brand continues to celebrate the watch’s remarkable legacy across aviation, culture, and technical innovation.

This latest chapter looks to one of the boldest achievements in aerospace history.

A Supersonic Legend

Developed at the height of the jet age, Concorde represented the pinnacle of aeronautical progress. Capable of flying at twice the speed of sound, the aircraft dramatically reduced transatlantic travel times while cruising at an astonishing altitude of around 60,000 feet. Passengers onboard were treated to a view rarely experienced in commercial aviation, the deep blue of the stratosphere and even the subtle curvature of the Earth.

Last ever flight of any Concorde, 26th November 2003. Public Domain

With its slender delta wings and distinctive profile, the aircraft quickly earned the nickname “The White Bird.” Carrying just over 100 passengers, Concorde delivered an experience that was as much about technological achievement as it was about luxury travel. Even decades later, it remains the fastest commercial jetliner ever built.

It is this pioneering spirit that Breitling captures in the Navitimer Tribute to Concorde, a watch that brings together two icons born from the same era of aviation optimism.

“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, Breitling

A Watch with Flight in Its DNA

The connection between the Navitimer and aviation runs deep. Introduced in 1952 for the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), the watch was widely recognised as the first wristwatch flight computer. Its patented circular slide rule allowed pilots to perform crucial calculations directly from their wrist, from fuel consumption to rate of climb.

While originally developed as a cockpit instrument, the Navitimer soon achieved broader recognition. It became the first Swiss wristwatch worn in space when astronaut Scott Carpenter took a modified version on his Aurora 7 mission. Over the decades, the model has also appeared on the wrists of figures as diverse as Formula 1 champions Graham Hill and Jim Clark, alongside cultural icons including Serge Gainsbourg and Miles Davis.

Today, the Navitimer continues to evolve while preserving the distinctive design that made it a legend.

A Tribute in Stratospheric Blue

The Navitimer B01 Chronograph 43 Tribute to Concorde channels the spirit of supersonic travel through a carefully considered design. Its dial is rendered in a deep blue tone inspired by the stratospheric skies seen from Concorde’s cruising altitude. Against this backdrop, contrasting white subdials and a white inner slide rule provide a striking visual reference to the aircraft’s “White Bird” nickname.

The watch is paired with a matching blue alligator leather strap, reinforcing the aviation-inspired colour palette while maintaining the Navitimer’s classic aesthetic.

Limited to just 593 pieces worldwide, the edition pays homage to the Rolls-Royce/Snecma Olympus 593 turbojet engines that powered Concorde to its extraordinary speeds. The caseback carries engraved details including “One of 593,” “Tribute to Concorde,” “Jetliner,” and “Mach 2,” marking the aircraft’s famous supersonic cruising speed.

Two Icons, One Vision

With the Navitimer B01 Chronograph Tribute to Concorde, Breitling brings together two legends of aviation history. One transformed the possibilities of commercial flight; the other became the defining pilot’s chronograph of its era.

Half a century after Concorde first took to the skies, this limited edition celebrates a time when engineering ambition seemed limitless, and reminds us that the future of innovation still belongs to those bold enough to dream bigger.

Technical Specifications:

NAVITIMER B01 CHRONOGRAPH 43 TRIBUTE TO CONCORDE

Reference: AB01389C1C1P1

WATCH MOVEMENT

Caliber: Breitling Manufacture Caliber B01
Diameter: 30 millimeters
Depth: 7.2 millimeters
Winder: self-winding mechanical, bidirectional with ball bearing
Power reserve: approximately 70 hours
Number of components: 320
Balance frequency: 28,800 a/h or 4 hertz
Chronograph: column-wheel, vertical clutch, 1/4th second and 30-minute
Display: hour, minute, second
Certification: COSC-certified

CASE

Material: Stainless steel
Diameter: 43 millimeters
Thickness: 14.94 millimeters
Height (upper lug tip to lower lug tip): 49.07 millimeters
Water resistance: up to 3 bars (30 meters)
Glass: cambered sapphire, glareproofed on both sides
Case back: stainless steel, screwed in, sapphire crystal, special engraving
Crown: stainless steel, non screw-locked, two gaskets
Bezel: platinum, bidirectional with circular slide rule