Navitimer B01 Chronograph 43 Tribute to Concorde

January 21, 1976. Paris to Rio. London to Bahrain. Two Concordes take flight, and the era of supersonic passenger travel begins. 
Nicknamed L’Oiseau Blanc (“the White Bird”) for its distinctive shape, the Concorde flew higher and faster than any commercial aircraft before or since. At 60,000 feet, its roughly 100 passengers could gaze into the stratosphere’s deep blue, outflying the sunrise, all while cruising at Mach 2. A marvel of engineering, Concorde remains the ultimate expression of aviation performance. 

In 1952, Willy Breitling created a chronograph with a circular slide rule that allowed pilots to perform essential flight calculations on the wrist. Two years later, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association named it their official watch, and the “navigation timer,” or Navitimer, became a cockpit essential. Worn by aviators, explorers, and even astronaut Scott Carpenter in space, it secured its place as one of aviation’s most recognizable instruments. The Concorde redefined distance, shrinking continents and turning hours into minutes. The Navitimer placed the essential calculations of flight directly on the wrist. One transformed commercial travel. The other supported those navigating it.

Today, the Navitimer continues that legacy. Its signature slide rule, balanced dial, and distinctive knurled bezel remain rooted in the golden age of aviation, accompanying those who chart their own course.