Housed in a big, bold 45-mm stainless-steel case, the Navitimer 1 B03 Rattrapante 45 Boutique Edition has a Stratos Gray dial, while its hour markers and hour and minute hands are coated with Super-LumiNova®. The watch features a bidirectional rotating bezel with the circular slide rule long associated with Breitling’s Navitimer watches.
The Navitimer 1 B03 Rattrapante 45 Boutique Edition offers another exquisite detail. Normally, a Breitling Navitimer features a stylized B logo with an anchor symbol adorning the base of the chronograph hands. But in this case, the logo is divided between two hands. The B is on the red chronograph hand, while the anchor sits on the split-second hand. As a result, the two elements of the logo are separated when the split-second hand is stopped and reform when the hands realign
The watch is powered by a Breitling Manufacture Caliber B03, which has a power reserve of at least 70 hours and is a COSC-certified chronometer. The split-second pusher, which is housed in the 3 o’clock crown, serves to stop and restart the split-second hand as often as desired during a timing operation, allowing the wearer to measure split times or compare the results of several competitors.
The rattrapante is one of the most sophisticated complications in all of watchmaking. Few watch brands have their own mechanical chronograph movements. Fewer still also offer a proprietary split-second movement developed and produced in-house. With its two superimposed central chronograph hands, one of which can be stopped to measure an intermediate (split) time before catching up (rattraper in French) with the other, the split-second chronograph is considered one of the most challenging watchmaking mechanisms to create. Accordingly, this “grand complication” is generally produced in small series and requires watchmakers to perform a lengthy process of adjustment and rating (correcting the clearance of the split-second wheel and pinion, adapting the tension of the springs, adjusting the degree of penetration of the clamps, etc).
In developing its own split-second chronograph movement, based on its Manufacture Caliber 01, Breitling adopted an innovative approach to the rattrapante, focusing on sturdiness, precision, and reliability while developing a system that ensures optimal performance with a minimum number of components. The split-second mechanism features just 28 parts.
In the process, Breitling was also able to eliminate the lengthy adjustment period. Finding a simple and effective solution to a complicated problem took several years of research and testing – but the result leaves nothing to be desired.
This instant collector’s item will be issued in a limited edition of 250 pieces and available exclusively from Breitling’s roughly 70 boutiques around the world.
