Long synonymous with the Breitling Navitimer, the circular slide rule on a watch was conceived to help pilots do calculations on the wrist. And despite being distinct from the chronograph, the slide has always gone together with the complication on Breitling’s watches, first on the Chronomat and then on the Navitimer. Until now.

Another of the major new launches (after the Navitimer 8) under the aegis of newly installed Breitling chief executive Georges Kern – who has big plans for the brand – the Navitimer 1 Automatic 38 takes two key features found on the original Navitimer – the “beads of rice” bezel and slide rule – while doing away with the chronograph. And it is also smaller than most Navitimers to date, measuring just 38mm in diameter.

Notably, while earlier Navitimers featured freely rotating bezels, the Navitimer 1 has a ratcheted, bidirectional bezel, which makes operating the slide rule easier by lining up its hash marks against the dial.

It’s powered by the COSC-certified Breitling Caliber 17, which is actually an ETA 2824 automatic.

Price and availability 

Available in steel, or steel with a 18k red gold bezel, the Navitimer 1 Automatic 38 will cost US$4310 in steel and US$5820 in steel and gold.