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A few years ago, I had the opportunity to visit the Air and Space Museum in Paris, at Paris–Le Bourget Airport. The exhibits there are truly fascinating, telling the story of aviation—from humanity’s earliest, sometimes naïve attempts to fly, to the groundbreaking technological achievements that eventually led us into space. One of the most memorable moments of my visit was stepping inside a Concorde. The legendary aircraft that broke the sound barrier and flew from Paris to New York in just two hours. Incredible, yet true. Concorde made its maiden flight on March 2, 1967, but it entered commercial passenger service on January 21, 1976—exactly fifty years ago. Now, Breitling returns to that era with a collectible timepiece that is not only a tribute, but also an emotional bridge between past and present: the Navitimer B01 Chronograph 43 Tribute to Concorde..
Concorde belongs to that rare category in aviation history where the “impossible” ceases to be a challenge and becomes an achievement. The Franco-British supersonic airliner became a symbol of ambition, speed, and boldness. Its remarkably slender and elongated silhouette was born in an era when aviation relentlessly pushed the limits of what was possible. Flying at Mach 2 and at an altitude of around 60,000 feet, it allowed passengers to see the curvature of the Earth—an almost surreal experience for its time. A flight on Concorde was truly unlike any other. It was not merely a means of transportation, but a statement of what human ambition could achieve.
The story of Breitling’s Navitimer aviation chronograph is equally significant in the world of watchmaking. Introduced in 1952, it would go on to become one of the most iconic watches of all time. What made it so special? Its circular slide rule, which allowed pilots to perform essential flight calculations mid-air. Thanks to this distinctive feature, it was enthusiastically embraced by professional pilots as well as the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), the world’s largest aviation club, which adopted it as its official watch, with its winged logo proudly displayed at 12 o’clock.
Thus was born the legendary Navitimer, a name derived from the contraction of “navigation timer.” Today, the Navitimer is not only Breitling’s most emblematic wristwatch, but also one of the few true legends in the history of watchmaking. Over time, it transcended its purely functional origins to become a cultural icon, worn by astronauts, racing drivers, and artists alike. Instantly recognizable, this classic 20th-century design remains fresh and relevant well into the 21st century.
It is easy to see that Concorde and Navitimer share many common elements that bind them together. The new Navitimer Tribute to Concorde brings the very sensation of supersonic travel to the wrist. Its stainless-steel case measures 43 mm in diameter and 13.69 mm in thickness. The deep blue dial, inspired by the stratosphere as seen from Concorde, creates a striking sense of depth. The white subdials and inner slide rule provide a strong contrast, echoing the aircraft’s nickname, L’Oiseau Blanc, meaning “The White Bird.”
Through the sapphire crystal caseback, one can admire the automatic Breitling Manufacture Caliber 01, beating at 4 Hz (28,800 vibrations per hour), offering a 70-hour power reserve, and certified as a chronometer by COSC, like all Breitling watches. Its presence is not merely a technical choice, but a confirmation that this timepiece is not only collectible, but also thoroughly contemporary.
The limited production of 593 pieces is no coincidence. It directly references the Olympus 593 turbojet engines that powered Concorde, adding another layer of meaning for those who appreciate the details. On the caseback, the engravings “One of 593,” “Tribute to Concorde,” “Jetliner,” and “Mach 2” serve as a constant reminder of the speed and innovation that defined the supersonic aircraft.
As Breitling CEO Georges Kern noted, flying on Concorde was far more than just a journey—it was an experience in itself. And perhaps that is precisely what Breitling seeks to revive: not simply the image of an aircraft, but the feeling of an era that truly believed in the future.
The Navitimer B01 Chronograph 43 Tribute to Concorde stands as a tribute to a time when technology did not merely follow needs—it surpassed them. Fifty years after Concorde’s first passenger flight, the message remains unchanged: the future belongs to those who dare to design the impossible.
Price: €9,750
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