Although Breitling produces a number of famous watches, the Navitimer is easily the brand’s signature model. First created in 1952 as a purpose-built tool for pilots, the Breitling Navitimer is one of a handful of watches that are truly deserving of the term “iconic” (as overused as both that term and statement might be), and its slide-rule bezel and information-heavy dial make it instantly recognizable in all of its various sizes and iterations. As its latest new release of 2023, Breitling has created a new two-tone version of its 46mm pilot’s watch, and in addition to being produced in a limited quantity of 300 examples, the Breitling Navitimer B01 Chronograph 46 U.S. Limited Edition will also be exclusively available for the U.S. market.

While the fundamental design and functionality of the new Breitling Navitimer B01 Chronograph 46 U.S. Limited Edition are identical to the existing 46mm models from the current Navitimer collection, the big update here is that this is the only Navitimer chronograph (of any size) to be offered in a two-tone configuration. Just like the standard-production models, the new United States-exclusive limited edition features a brushed and polished stainless steel case that measures 46mm in diameter by 13.9mm thick, with 24mm lugs and an overall lug-to-lug profile of 51.8mm. Similarly, sapphire crystals are fitted to both the dial side of the watch and its screw-down display caseback, while water resistance comes in at 30 meters to protect against daily incidental contact. However, while the signed winding crown and pump-style pushers are both made from stainless steel, the model’s signature knurled rotating bezel ring is crafted from 18k red gold.

The two-tone colorway extends onto the dial of the new Breitling Navitimer B01 Chronograph 46 U.S. Limited Edition, which features an anthracite-colored surface with red gold-finished hands and hour markers. While the overall design and layout are identical to other versions of the current 46mm Navitimer, the dial fitted to this new United States-exclusive version features a new colorway that isn’t found on any of the other Navitimer chronographs currently available. Set against the anthracite gray central surface are a trio of black chronograph registers, along with a black slide-rule scale surrounding its perimeter. Meanwhile, the text appears in white with small red accents for the key points on the slide rule scale and a red-finished shaft for the centrally mounted chronograph seconds hand. Lastly, green-emission Super-LumiNova accents are placed along the outer perimeter of the hour markers and on both the hour and minute hand to help offer a clear reading of the time in low-light settings. 

Powering the new Breitling Navitimer B01 Chronograph 46 U.S. Limited Edition is the same manufacture Caliber 01 automatic chronograph movement that can be found throughout the vast majority of the brand’s current-production chronograph models. Running at a frequency of 28,800vph (4 Hz) with a power reserve of approximately 70 hours, the Breitling Cal. 01 operates with a column wheel and a vertical clutch, and as a COSC-certified chronometer, it is also guaranteed to keep time to within the accuracy standards of -4/+6 per day. While the Caliber 01 appears in a number of different Breitling models, the version fitted to the Navitimer is slightly more decorated than those in more affordable models such as the Top Time, and it, therefore, features Geneva stripes and gold-filled engravings on its skeletonized rotor and upper bridges.

Fitted to the lugs of the Breitling Navitimer B01 Chronograph 46 U.S. Limited Edition is a black alligator leather strap with white contrasting stitching that tapers from 24mm at the case down to 20mm where it connects to its stainless steel clasp. Just like nearly all of the brand’s leather straps, the lining appears in Breitling’s signature shade of bright yellow, while the signed deployant-style clasp operates with a double push-button release and is the same type that can be found throughout the rest of the strap-equipped Navitimer collection. Given that Breitling makes both stainless steel and solid gold versions of the Navitimer, along with two-tone visions of the time-only models, this new U.S. exclusive edition almost feels like something that should already exist within the brand’s catalog, yet it is the only steel and gold Navitimer chronograph (in any size) that is currently available. 

Given its two-tone construction, the new Breitling Navitimer B01 Chronograph 46 U.S. Limited Edition is priced between the steel and full gold models, and given that the use of 18k red gold is limited to its bezel (along with the finish on its hands and hour markers), this new two-tone edition is naturally positioned far closer to the stainless steel models than its solid gold counterparts. With an official retail price of $11,900 USD, the new Breitling Navitimer B01 Chronograph 46 U.S. Limited Edition comes at a premium of $2,500 compared to what the brand charges for the strap-equipped 46mm Navitimer models in stainless steel, although it is also significantly less expensive than the full red gold version, which costs north of $20k. Given that this model is exclusively available to the U.S. market with production capped at 300 examples, the new Navitimer B01 Chronograph 46 U.S. Limited Edition is ultimately a relatively limited offering in the brand’s overall catalog. However, the reappearance of a two-tone Navitimer chronograph could be taken as a sign that we might eventually receive more steel and gold models at some point in the future. For more information on the Breitling Navitimer B01 Chronograph 46 U.S. Limited Edition, please visit the brand’s website.