BREITLING Navitimer B19 Chronograph 43 Perpetual Calendar

April 24, 2025

Although highly complex, its stainless steel construction makes it far more accessible compared to its three solid gold, limited-edition “siblings” that Breitling released in 2024 to celebrate its 140th anniversary.

The Breitling Navitimer B19 Chronograph 43 Perpetual Calendar is the brand’s first new release for 2025. Since Georges Kern took the helm, Breitling’s every move has proven to be exceptionally well-thought-out and strategic—not just in terms of acquisitions and reviving historic watchmaking houses, but especially in the careful handling of each new model and the timing of its release. Unlike most brands that unveil their entire range at once—often at Watches & Wonders—Breitling follows a completely different and seemingly highly effective strategy: a series of staggered, individual launches throughout the year. This approach gives each watch its own spotlight, allowing journalists to focus more closely on a single timepiece, while the market has more time to digest and appreciate it fully.

First Comes the Movement

The first release of 2025, the Breitling Navitimer B19 Chronograph 43 Perpetual Calendar, was unveiled in early March and is, by all accounts, highly impressive. What makes it so special? Firstly, it comes on the heels of a milestone year for Breitling, which marked its 140th anniversary in grand fashion throughout 2024 with a series of commemorative models. The highlight was an ultra-complicated trilogy of limited editions presented in August—all crafted from 18K red gold and notable not only for their value but also for their technical innovation.

The Premier Datora, Navitimer, and Super Chronomat models (in 42, 43, and 44 mm, respectively) each featured a major surprise inside: the brand-new Breitling Caliber B19—the brand’s first in-house movement to combine a perpetual calendar with a chronograph, the complication Breitling has long been known for.

Beautifully decorated, the B19 offers a full calendar that automatically adjusts for leap years and won’t need any date correction until the year 2100. This high-tech automatic movement offers 96 hours of power reserve and sets a new benchmark for the brand, hinting at what’s to come in Breitling’s next 140 years. The same caliber powers the Breitling Navitimer B19 Chronograph 43 Perpetual Calendar.

Exceptional Value for Money

One downside of the 2024 anniversary models was their rarity (just 140 pieces each) and steep price (€55,000). The new stainless steel version of the Navitimer B19 Chronograph 43 Perpetual Calendar addresses both issues. First, it is not a limited edition but part of the brand’s regular collection. Second, it comes at a significantly lower price point: €28,500 with bracelet and €28,000 with a leather strap. Granted, this is still a premium watch, but considering its complexity—a combination of perpetual calendar and chronograph—the price is exceptionally competitive. There are very few other watches on the market offering this mix of complications. Comparable models from houses like Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin, A. Lange & Söhne, IWC, or Chopard typically come in precious metals and command much higher prices. That’s why Breitling’s decision to go with stainless steel is both smart and strategic.

Icy Blue Elegance

The third major highlight of the new Navitimer B19 Chronograph 43 Perpetual Calendar is its refined aesthetics. The dial, in a radiant light ice blue, is beautifully complemented by a platinum notched bezel, which crowns the substantial open-back case measuring 43 mm in diameter and 14.94 mm in thickness. Given the number of indicators, the dial could have easily looked cluttered, but the monochromatic design across the main plate, sub-dials, and indicators provides a calming effect that enhances legibility.

The perpetual calendar’s displays are clearly organized across the sub-dials at 3, 6, and 9 o’clock: the date at 3, month and leap year at 6, and day of the week at 9. At 12 o’clock, just above the Breitling logo, sits the moon phase indicator.

And because it’s a Navitimer, of course it features the iconic circular slide rule bezel, which—together with the bidirectional rotating bezel—allows pilots to perform essential calculations during flight.