The Navitimer Collection by luxury watchmaker Breitling is amongst the most sought after timepieces worldwide. The iconic circular slide rule design made it the go-to watch for pilots, aircraft manufacturers, and airlines since its inception. However, the Navitimer commands quite a hefty price. Today, the most economical Navitimer can set you back by $4310. While this is the starting price, the most expensive watch on the website currently retails at $39,900. However, if you’re not looking to spend such an incredible amount but still desire the look, there are alternatives.
There are a host of watches that have a similar design to that of the Navitimer. However, they don’t cost as much. This article will feature a few great alternatives to the Breitling Navitimer collection. In addition, we will also focus on the features offered and a little on the brand. But, before we start with the alternatives, here’s why the Navitimer is so iconic.
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Breitling Navitimer Collection
1952 marked the debut of the original Navitimer by Breitling. The name is an amalgamation of the terms ‘Navigation’ and ‘Timer’. The now-iconic collection featured the circular side rule design borrowed from the Breitling Chronomat. This practical design feature made the Navitimer an instant hit in the airline industry as pilots swore by it. Over the years, the circular side rule has become the Navitimer’s signature style. For the Navitimer, the sky wasn’t the limit. In just ten years, the Navitimer soared beyond the skies and into space with astronaut Scott Carpenter. The Cosmonaut edition, part of the Navitimer collection, featured a 24-hour dial in its mission aboard the Aurora 7 spacecraft.
Over the years, Breitling has unveiled many editions of the Navitimer featuring various colors, straps, materials, complications, etc. As the stature and collection grew, so did the celebrity fan base. Legendary Jazz musician Miles Davies wore one. As did F1 drivers Jim Clark and Graham Hill. However, the classic design has remained to this day making it amongst Breitling’s most desired watches.
Best Affordable Breitling Navitimer Alternatives
If you are on the lookout for alternatives for the Navitimer, here are a few watches we recommend.
Casio Edifice EF527D-1AV
A great alternative to the Navitimer is the Casio Edifice EF527D-1AV.
Highly recommended by watch enthusiasts as an alternative, the Edifice perfectly fits the bill.
The Japanese manufacturer Casio, best known for its range of electronic products, pioneering technology, and durable watches. The Edifice EF527D-1AV features classic styling, very similar to the Navitimer collection. Edifice, as Casio puts it, stands for speed and intelligence. This motto resonates with the essence of Breitling Navitimer as well. Most importantly, the rotating slide rule, the complications, and the similar dial make it amongst the best alternatives at an affordable price.
Hamilton unveiled this Navitimer alternative model under its Khaki Aviation collection with an affordable price tag. Similar to the Navitimer in design, the X-Wind GMT Chrono Quartz features an aviation-inspired crosswind calculator, chronograph, and a second time zone. The 46 mm case hosts quartz movement with sapphire crystals and is water-resistant up to 100 m.
Click here to see the Hamilton Aviation Collection
You can also read our review about Hamilton here.
Rotary Henley Collection
The Henley collection by Rotary watches offers a range of alternatives for you to choose from instead of the Navitimer. The brand Rotary came into being in 1895 in the Swiss town of La Chaux de Fonds by Moise Dreyfuss. The iconic wing logo came later in 1925 post the war.
Amongst the many collections the brand offers, a few under the Henley collection share a likeness to the Navitimer watches. These include the Rotary Henley Black IP Chronograph, the Stainless Steel Chronograph, Rose Gold PVD Watch, Rose Gold PVD Chronograph to name a few. Though these watches don’t carry perforated slide rule design, the dial features and designs are similar to the Breitling pieces. This said the watches do come with rotating slide rule. One can choose from either sterling silver, stainless steel or rose gold for its 42 mm case. Henley collection features a quartz movement in their line up and is water-resistant up to 50M.
Click here to know more about the brand.
Click here to check out Rotary Henley on Amazon.
Air Blue Navigator
Much like the Breitling Navitimer, the Air Blue Navigator by Deep blue adorns a dark dial with intricate detailing and a stainless steel strap. Although an unusual choice as an alternative, this particular timepieces draws focus for its vast similarities to the Navitimer collection.
Equipped with the Swiss Ronda movement, this Air Blue timepiece comes with dual chronograph and water-resistant up to 100 m. Additionally, the face of the watch comes with sub-dials and a date complication. Above all, this timepiece also comes with slide rule design and Tachymeter that allows one to measure speed or distance. Available at a fraction of the Breitling Navitimer’s price, the Air Blue is worth considering.
Click here to check out other watches by Deep Blue.
In addition, the watch features a date display, mineral glass, and precision dial indexes. The stainless steel body makes it a stylish piece and is water-resistant to 100M.
You can read more about Casio here.
Seiko SNA411 Flight Alarm Chronograph
Another Japanese manufacturer renowned and adorned by watch aficionados is Seiko. A rich history, constantly evolving technology, and unique styling make Seiko a good watch brand. The SNA411 like the Casio features similar styling to the Navitimer.
In addition to the multiple sub-dials, the watch also features a rotating slide rule. Furthermore, the piece hosts Seiko’s Japanese quartz movement and is water-resistant to 200M. The dial details, functionality features, and overall design along with Seiko technology make this a great alternative. Most importantly, this watch costs a fraction of the Navitimer’s price.
If you are wondering if Seiko is a good brand, read our review here.
Sinn 903 ST
Founded by former World War Two pilot Helmut Sinn, the brand set out to make pilot chronographs and navigation clocks. Set up in Frankfurt in 1961, Sinn truly put aviation functionality as its key focus with all its timepieces. Similar to Breitling, Sinn watches made the trip to the skies and beyond into outer space with the 140S. Over the years, Sinn has become synonymous with functionality, durability, and style.
The Sinn 903 ST with the solid bracelet retails at lesser than the most economical Navitimer. However, the watch hosts a number of similar features including slide rule function, sub-dials, and close styling. In addition, the interior bezel has a logarithmic scale making it a solid alternative for the Navitimer.
To know more about Sinn, read here. You can also check out Sinn watches on eBay.
Citizen Eco-Drive Chronograph – BL5400-52A
Watchmaker Citizen too offers a good alternative to the Breitling Navitimer. The century-old company garners adulation for its Eco-Drive technology and their philosophy ‘Better starts now’. Headquartered in Tokyo, Citizen has released some memorable watches over the years, including the world’s first multi-band atomic timekeeping watch.
Navitimer alternative, the BL5400-52A is a 47 mm stainless steel watch. Most of all, the rounded design, the multiple sub-dials, and the overall field look are similar features. The watch also features a rotating inner dial ring, date window, perpetual calendar amongst its many functions. Water-resistant up to 100 m, this Citizen alternative proves ideal for swimming and snorkeling.
Moreover, the Eco-drive attracts attention for its involuntary concept of converting natural or artificial light into energy. By harnessing such power into the rechargeable cells, the timepiece eliminates any worry about battery replacement.
If you are interested in buying Citizen Eco-Drive, check out their collection here. To know more about the brand and its history, read our review here.
Zeppelin 7676-2 100 Years Zeppelin
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The Zeppelin brand in itself is a homage to the early pioneering days of aviation. The German watch brand POINTtec established Zeppelin in 2002. The brand looked to combine classic styling with modern technology and the 7676-2 is no different. While the watch itself isn’t too similar to the Navitimer design, the aviation-inspired background makes it a worthwhile alternative.
Unveiled under the 100 Years Zeppelin edition 2 collection, the 7676 hosts a quartz-controlled movement. In addition, the sub-dials, the classic dial design is similar to the aviation-based Navitimer. The 42 mm stainless steel case is water-resistant up to 5atm. Zeppelin watches go through rigorous testing to withstand extreme temperatures and to maintain daily accuracy. As a result, Zeppelin watches are top of the line, with high quality and supreme attention to detailing.
You can read about Zeppelin watches here. You can also find other similar Zeppelin watches on Amazon.
Hamilton Khaki Aviation X-Wind GMT Chrono Quartz
With a watchmaking history of over a century, the brand made its name during the early days of American railroads. Established in 1892 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, the Hamilton brand then took inspiration from aviation. As a result, the watches under the Khaki aviation collection are a testament to the brand’s homage to aviation.
Hamilton unveiled this Navitimer alternative model under its Khaki Aviation collection with an affordable price tag. Similar to the Navitimer in design, the X-Wind GMT Chrono Quartz features an aviation-inspired crosswind calculator, chronograph, and a second time zone. The 46 mm case hosts quartz movement with sapphire crystals and is water-resistant up to 100 m.
Click here to see the Hamilton Aviation Collection
You can also read our review about Hamilton here.
Rotary Henley Collection
The Henley collection by Rotary watches offers a range of alternatives for you to choose from instead of the Navitimer. The brand Rotary came into being in 1895 in the Swiss town of La Chaux de Fonds by Moise Dreyfuss. The iconic wing logo came later in 1925 post the war.
Amongst the many collections the brand offers, a few under the Henley collection share a likeness to the Navitimer watches. These include the Rotary Henley Black IP Chronograph, the Stainless Steel Chronograph, Rose Gold PVD Watch, Rose Gold PVD Chronograph to name a few. Though these watches don’t carry perforated slide rule design, the dial features and designs are similar to the Breitling pieces. This said the watches do come with rotating slide rule. One can choose from either sterling silver, stainless steel or rose gold for its 42 mm case. Henley collection features a quartz movement in their line up and is water-resistant up to 50M.
Click here to know more about the brand.
Click here to check out Rotary Henley on Amazon.
Air Blue Navigator
Much like the Breitling Navitimer, the Air Blue Navigator by Deep blue adorns a dark dial with intricate detailing and a stainless steel strap. Although an unusual choice as an alternative, this particular timepieces draws focus for its vast similarities to the Navitimer collection.
Equipped with the Swiss Ronda movement, this Air Blue timepiece comes with dual chronograph and water-resistant up to 100 m. Additionally, the face of the watch comes with sub-dials and a date complication. Above all, this timepiece also comes with slide rule design and Tachymeter that allows one to measure speed or distance. Available at a fraction of the Breitling Navitimer’s price, the Air Blue is worth considering.
Click here to check out other watches by Deep Blue.
