Breitling Navitimer Owner Review : Casual, endearing and indispensable

Ever since I first became interested in watchmaking, the Breitling Navitimer has always been there, in the background. A sort of silent, obvious presence. An essential icon. And yet, every chance I got, I set it aside, preferring another—a more discreet model, a different style, a current favorite. But one day, almost by chance, during a clearance sale at a major jeweler, it was waiting for me. A 43 mm Navitimer Blue Edition, equipped with the brand-new B01 caliber. A recent model, but still bearing the legendary ink and wings logo. In other words, a nod to the past in a contemporary guise. Polished case, pilot strap, deep blue dial. Beautiful, elegant, technical. Of course, I fell for it. How could I resist? I left with it on my wrist, my heart pounding, with the euphoric feeling of having finally found "the one." But there you have it. Once the honeymoon period was over, I began to have doubts. Yes, it's impressive. Yes, the movement is top-notch, the finish impeccable. But something was missing. That little extra soul. That slightly old-fashioned charm, that raw feel that older Navitimers have, those from before the 2010s. That more balanced panda dial. That more measured presence. Because despite its "contained" 43 mm, the openness of the dial makes it more imposing than it should be. And this blue, combined with the black, perhaps lacks contrast. Too much mirror polish too: between the case and the strap, it's almost too flashy for me. In short, it's moving away – slowly but surely – from what I love about the Navitimer spirit. So I'm thinking. What if this is just a sidestep, before the real leap? I'm thinking of selling it. And going back to an older, purer model. A 2008, a 2009 perhaps. Or even a true vintage. Black dial, white subdials. A 40 mm diameter, perfect in my eyes for a pilot's watch. And a custom leather strap that tells a different story. A more reckless look if you have the ref. Because, deep down, I haven't found the Navitimer of my dreams yet. But I'm getting closer. And perhaps that's the true watchmaking quest: learning to listen to what each watch tells us... to finally hear what we're really looking for.