The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hello All,
Well mannered Archie here. I aim to be well mannered and polite to all (even those I wanted to kill).

I have really enjoyed being part of this community.... Most people are wonderful.

I am confused about the following question:-
IS A NAVITIMER A SPORTS WATCH OR A DRESS WATCH?

I recently asked a few questions about dress and Breitling etiquette..... one of the answers stated that a Navtimer and Rolex DateJust were both DRESS WATCHES?

Is this true? Is a standard 42mm Navi really a dress watch now. The genre is further confused byt he admission of a helicoptor pilot that a Navi can not be trusted for impotant tasks like fuel burn off times and critical timings......

Today the size of the standard Navi is considered small at 42mm...... does this mean the Navi is now a girl's watch?

One of the factors that attracted me to the Navi was the larger size.... I come from a Rolex/Patek background where 36mm is considered MENS FULL SIZE.

I remember a time when MENS watches took 18mm straps!

Perhaps the genre classification changes with Bracelet or Strap choice?

These days, 42mm is average size. However, 42mm is on the smaller end of the spectrum for a breitling.

I would classify the Navi as a dress watch that can be worn casually as well.

All right Archie – I overreacted & I hereby extend the olive branch…

On balance, while opinions may vary, a Navi is a dress watch, whereas, say, a brushed stainless Rolex Submariner is a (pricy) sports watch.

To some extent, the answer depends on what sport you want to be involved in - obviously if one has the means to pursue air-racing and the like, then a Navi wouldn’t be out of place. But for anything rough, it’s important to remember that Navis don’t like water and the polished case gets scratched easily and has lots of protrusions which can get caught on stuff.

The 7750 movement is a real workhorse too – no real issue there. Although certain sports, like golf, over the longer term, probably don’t do any mechanical watch much good.

Having said all that, opinions will vary. For example, JLC have a beautiful yet quite rugged line of diving watches – including one with a brilliant mechanical depth gauge, which costs more than I can afford. These beasties can hardly qualify as dress watches, but I can’t imagine many owners of such pieces would be happy dragging them past coral formations and smacking them up against air tanks on a dive.

Yes.... Thank you Carlos (all is fine).

I find it amazing that a Navitimer can be considered a sports watch! But - I think you are right.....

The Navi may have been a TOOL/Sports watch when originally designed HOWEVER the role has changed......

NAVI - Dress watch of the Breitling range.

I kind of have a similar feeling... the Navitimer, though from its roots does not appear a dress watch, more of a wrist instrument. However, now because it is more of an icon watch, and its slide rule bezel is more for looks and heritage than it is for use, has become something of a dressier watch in the Breitling range. Watches like the professional line Skyracer and B-1 have taken the place that the Navitimers once held as true pilot watches.

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I think I'm with admin.

From it's heritage it is clearly a tool watch - it was designed to work for pilots, and when it was first produced it did just that. As the practical need for the watch has been diminished it has assumed the role of a dress watch.

I have a very hard time thinking of it as a sports watch in the modern sense - it's nowhere near rugged enough.

I don't know, I wouldn't hesitate to wear the Navi on leather with a pair of jeans and a leather jacket or sport jacket. While it may be dressier than the brushed models, I don't feel it can be lumped into one category. I'd consider it a very versatile watch.

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The word ubiquitous comes to mind.

Agree with Mark.

Looks fine to me, and he is not dressed up.

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Awesome photo!

It's cool too that Travolta really does have a long-term and real love for the Navi.

In the movie "Wild Hog's" he is sproting either a silver dilaed World or regular Navi. He truely loves the brand (or they gave him a crap load of them for the endorsement deal! )

On a related subject, I would like to know what watch Martin Lawrence is wearing in this movie. Looks a little like a Panerai on a Bund.

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The Navi is definately an all-rounder.. but specifically I would say the Navitimer is not a sport watch.. in it's versatility the one thing it is not is a diver/sport watch.

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