The Breitling Watch Source Forums

first - I grabbed the Navi photos from google, if they are yours and you object I will remove them immediately. now that is out of the way -

1. If you have picked one over the other, why?
2. any differences between the stick and arabic versions other than just cosmetic?
3. conjecture, but seems there are more stick versions out there than the arabic version, or maybe stick owners take more pictures?!?
4. any timeline differences, i.e. was one meant to replace the other? arabic discontinued?
5. background, I own/love a speedmaster (3570) with stick dial so would another stick be repititive or arabic be complimentary?
6. Thank you

1. If you have picked one over the other, why?

I had both. It's purely personal aesthetics.

2. any differences between the stick and arabic versions other than just cosmetic?

No, the arabic and baton version are otherwise identical.

3. conjecture, but seems there are more stick versions out there than the arabic version, or maybe stick owners take more pictures?!?

The batons version seems more popular.

4. any timeline differences, i.e. was one meant to replace the other? arabic discontinued?

No. But both versions in your pics are discontinued and replaced by the 43mm Navi 01 with in house movement as of 2011. The arabics version now has metal applied numerals rather than painted numerals.

5. background, I own/love a speedmaster (3570) with stick dial so would another stick be repititive or arabic be complimentary?

Totally up to you. I lean towards batons, but my current Navi has arabics.

6. Thank you

You're welcome.

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SHARKMAN

You must be my twin (see below). Batons here.

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Breitling Navitimer: Black Dial
OMEGA Speedmaster Professional
Steinhart Nav.B-Chrono II
Elgin-Hamilton 37500 (Aircraft Clock)

I think The Shark pretty much said it all. All I can think to add is that whether or not having two watches with batons would be complementary or redundant depends both on your own preferences, and how each watch looks with batons or numerals. I've seen some watches that look great with numerals, and others that don't. (See below for examples.) My advice is to buy what you think looks best on each watch, irrespective of what other watches you might have.

Here's a watch I think makes good use of numerals on its dial.


Here's a watch I think makes lousy use of numerals on its dial.

(Both pics borrowed from the web.)

I agree 100%. It is nice to have cominentary peices, but not at the cost of having a watch you are not truly head over heels for. I think the arabics are a bit more casual on the navi, and ended up going with the batans myself, but the arabics were what I was originally intereted in.

I also own a speedmaster (3570 based) and don't mind the stick markers on it as they are painted/lumed so easy to read and consistent with the original 'moon' watch design. With that said, I prefer the arabics on the Navitimer. I think they display the aviator/pilot style Breitling represents in a true sense (pilot instruments will have the arabics on the dials for easy and quick readability). If that isn't a concern, go with what you like best!

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Chrono Jetstream
Montbrilliant 1903
Aerospace E79362

awesome advice from both sides, the one that resonates with me is "the more casual look" with the arabics...but the batons look real good, probably too good. this is harder than I thought. thanks guys

Have you checked them both out in person? If you havent, thats usually enough to sway you one way or the other. Sharkman summed up my thoughts as well. I prefer sticks...just think they look better on the Navi.

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-RJ