Nov 15, 2018
Reading time 3 min.
Split Precision: The Breitling Navitimer 1 B03 Rattrapante Boutique Edition
WATCH TO WATCH
Breitling introduced its Navitimer 1 B03 Rattrapante 45, outfitted with the venerable brand's first in-house split-seconds chronograph movement, in 2017. At the recent Breitling Summit in London, whose centerpiece launch was the new Premier collection, Breitling unveiled a new limited version with a "Stratos gray" dial, available for sale exclusively at the brand's 70 boutiques worldwide.
Breitling Navitimer 1 B03 Rattrapante-45 Boutique Edition with Stratos gray dial
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The timepiece's boldly proportioned, 45-mm case is made of stainless steel, outfitted with a convex, double-nonreflective coated sapphire crystal over the dial. The three dark gray-toned-toned subdials (30-minute chronograph counter at 3 o’clock, 12-hour chronograph counter at 6 o’clock, small seconds at 9 o’clock) pop against the sleek background of the main dial, which is framed by an inner rotating bezel with a circular slide rule, a useful tool for aviators that has been a fixture of Breitling Navitimers since the model’s debut in 1952 (original version pictured below).
Breitling Navitimer Ref. 806 (1952)
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As on the previous, non-limited version of the Navitimer Rattrapante, the overlapping central chronograph seconds hands, with the brand’s “anchor B” logo counterweight, makes a clever departure from the usual design: the “B” is on the main red chronograph hand and the anchor is on the split-seconds hand. Thus the two logo elements are separated when the split seconds hand is stopped and rejoined when the two hands are overlaid. The split-seconds pusher, which stops and restarts the split-seconds hand, is embedded in the 3 o’clock crown.
The movement inside, Caliber B03, made its debut in this Rattrapante version of the iconic Navitimer and boasts two patents. It continues Breitling’s industry-influencing historical role in the field of mechanical chronographs, which includes such milestones as the first chronograph with an independent push-piece, in 1915; the first with a second independent push-piece, in 1934; one of the first self-winding chronograph movements, in the pivotal year of 1969; and the development of the classic Duograph in 1944, a highly collectible piece with an extra-thin split-seconds chrono movement, which could be considered this new model’s spiritual ancestor.
The Breitling "anchor B" logo is split between the two central chronograph hands.
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Caliber B03’s modular architecture is built upon the base Caliber B01, Breitling’s first manufacture movement, which is equipped with automatic winding, date indication, an integrated 1/4-second chronograph function, and a 70-hour power reserve. The split-seconds module added to this high-performance horological engine is comprised of only 28 parts, and fitted between the mainplate and calendar mechanism — a construction that not only simplifies assembly but also maintenance: a watchmaker can remove the module as a single block for servicing and repairs. Like all Breitling movements, Caliber B03 is certified as a chronometer by COSC.
Limited to just 250 pieces, distributed throughout Breitling's 70 boutiques across the globe, the Navitimer 1 B03 Rattrapante 45 Boutique Edition is mounted on a black alligator leather strap with white contrast stitching and either a pin buckle or folding buckle in steel.
