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A.I. Reviews v37.5 (refreshed with Grok 4.1 Fast)
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Model Name:
Breitling Ab0138 Navitimer B01 Chronograph 43
Watch added to favourite list
Reference:
AB0138211B1A1
Price ($)
$
6438
Country:
Switzerland
A.I. Rating
8.9
Crowd Rating:
2074
Watch Description
Breitling’s iconic pilot’s chronograph – for the journey. In 1952, Willy Breitling developed a wrist-worn chronograph with a circular slide rule that would allow pilots to perform all necessary flight calculations. Two years later, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) announced the design as its official timepiece. The “navigation timer” – or Navitimer – was born. The AOPA was (and remains) the largest pilots’ club in the world, counting nearly every US aviator among its ranks. As the defacto pilot’s watch throughout the glory days of civil aviation, the Navitimer was worn by airline captains and aircraft enthusiasts. It even made its way into space on the wrist of astronaut Scott Carpenter in 1962. And it wasn’t only pilots drawn to the watch’s irrepressible aesthetic. Celebrities of the day such as Miles Davis and Serge Gainsbourg were devotees, proving that the Navitimer had style as well as function. There have been many iterations of Breitling’s icon since its debut 70 years ago, but this new Navitimer captures its most classic features, while enhancing them with modern refinements. A flattened slide rule and a domed crystal create the illusion of a sleeker profile. Alternating polished and brushed metal elements give a lustrous, yet understated finish. Most notably, new colors in shades of blue, green and copper, define the updated dial options. And if there is one update sure to spark nostalgia, it’s the return of the AOPA wings to their original position at 12 o’clock. For 70 years, Breitling’s original pilot’s watch has been beloved by aviators and tastemakers in equal measure. Worn by astronauts in space and the biggest stars on earth, it is Breitling’s most iconic timepiece and one of the most recognizable watches of all time.
43
49
22
13.6
30
Steel - 316L
Round
Sapphire
?
Automatic
Breitling 02
70
Silver
A.I. Watch Review:
# Breitling AB0138 Navitimer B01 Chronograph 43 Review by A.I. WatchMetrics
## Watch Summary
The Breitling Navitimer B01 Chronograph 43 is a quintessential aviation tool watch in stainless steel with a 43mm case, featuring the signature bidirectional slide-rule bezel for pilot calculations, a black dial with three subdials for chronograph functions, and the in-house automatic Caliber B01 offering a 70-hour power reserve and COSC certification; it targets pilots, aviation enthusiasts, collectors, and professionals seeking a prestigious, legible sports chronograph with historical gravitas.
## Overall Watch Rating: 8.9/10.0
**Movement Metric (9.7/10.0)** - The in-house B01 chronometer-grade automatic with 70-hour reserve and column-wheel chronograph rivals the best from ETA 7750 upgrades or Zenith El Primero in reliability and refinement.
**Dials & Design Metric (9.5/10.0)** - Iconic slide-rule bezel, balanced subdial layout, and luminous Arabic numerals deliver unmatched legibility and heritage appeal, benchmarked against the original 1952 Navitimer.
**Material Metric (9.3/10.0)** - Brushed and polished stainless steel case paired with double-sided anti-reflective sapphire crystal offers premium durability akin to Omega Seamaster cases.
**History & Innovation Metric (9.2/10.0)** - Decades of aviation legacy via the slide rule combined with modern in-house B01 development place it alongside historic icons like the IWC Pilot's Watch.
**Cohesiveness Metric (9.0/10.0)** - Every element from bezel to bracelet harmonizes seamlessly in the brand's pilot tradition, comparable to Rolex's Daytona cohesion.
**Functions Metric (8.9/10.0)** - Hours, minutes, small seconds, date, and 1/4th-second chronograph provide robust utility exceeding basic three-handers like the Seiko Prospex.
**Versatility Metric (8.8/10.0)** - Transitions effortlessly from boardroom to cockpit with its refined yet rugged pilot styling, much like a Tag Heuer Carrera.
**Brand Metric (8.6/10.0)** - Breitling's luxury aviation prestige and quality control align with peers like Omega in the premium chronograph segment.
**Complications Metric (8.3/10.0)** - The practical chronograph and computational slide rule deliver strong functionality, on par with Longines Spirit pilots but with added heritage utility.
**Rarity Metric (7.4/10.0)** - At $9,300 retail, it balances accessible production with desirability better than mass-market Seikos but below limited Tudor Black Bay editions.
## Total Performance Score (TPS): 9.9
## WM Collector Grade: A+
## Performance Insights: Dominates in movement quality, design iconography, and historical depth while providing exceptional value well above its implied fair-market price.
## TPS Interpretation: Superior Value: The watch vastly overperforms in craftsmanship, features, and legacy for its price, making it a standout investment in the luxury pilot category.
## Watch Data
[https://www.breitling.com/dw/image/v2/BFWH_PRD/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-breitling-master-catalog/default/dw0b8b5d55/AB01382101B1A1_NavtimerB01Chrono43_A1.jpg] - [Front picture]; [https://www.breitling.com/dw/image/v2/BFWH_PRD/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-breitling-master-catalog/default/dw4d4e4b3b/AB01382101B1A1_NavtimerB01Chrono43_back_A1.jpg] - [Back picture]; [https://www.chrono24.com/breitling/images_luxe/ab0138-lume.jpg] - [Lume picture]; [Nickname] - [Navitimer B01 Chronograph 43]; [Brand] - [Breitling]; [Model] - [Navitimer B01 Chronograph 43]; [Country] - [Switzerland]; [Product Link] - [https://www.breitling.com/us-en/collections/navitimer/navitimer-b01-chronograph-43-ab01382101b1a1/]; [reviewLink] - []; [# Secondary] - [3]; [watchDescription] - [Stainless steel aviation chronograph with circular slide-rule bezel, black dial, three chronograph counters, date window, and manufacture automatic movement]; [caseWidth] - [43]; [lugToLugLength] - [50.3]; [thickness] - [14.55]; [lug] - [22]; [waterResist] - [30m]; [powerReserve] - [70h]; [beatFrequency] - [28800]; [lume] - [Super-LumiNova]; [jewels] - [47]; [caseMaterial] - [Stainless Steel]; [watchGlass] - [Sapphire anti-reflective both sides]; [Bezel] - [Stainless steel bidirectional slide rule]; [caseback] - [Solid screw-down]; [Crown] - [Screw-down]; [Strap] - [Stainless steel Oyster-style bracelet]; [Shape] - [Round]; [Dial] - [Black]; [Seconds] - [Yes]; [Date] - [Yes]; [Calendar] - [No]; [Chiming] - [No]; [Chronograph] - [Yes]; [Compass] - [No]; [dateCompilation] - [No]; [DigitalDisplay] - [No]; [Dress] - [No]; [Field] - [No]; [GMT] - [No]; [Mechanical Alarm] - [No]; [Moonphase] - [No]; [Tourbillon] - [No]; [worldTimer] - [No]; [powerReserveIndicator] - [No]; [Diver] - [No]; [Pilot] - [Yes]; [racing] - [No]; [Skeleton] - [No]; [Vintage] - [No]; [StyleFormal] - [No]; [StyleCasual] - [Yes]; [StyleSports] - [Yes]; [StyleTravel] - [Yes]; [StyleAdventure] - [No]; [StyleCollector] - [Yes]; [StyleTool] - [Yes]; [StyleStatement] - [Yes]; [StyleVintage] - [No]; [StyleSmart] - [No]; [StyleCustom] - [No]; [TPS_new] - [9.9]; [TPSgrade] - [A+]; [TPSimpliedPrice] - [5200];
**A.I. WatchMetrics Review v37.4 Grok 4 Fast. December 19, 2025.**
