Ultimate pilot Chrono VS
Which you think is a better watch and/or which you would purchase. The Navitmer 43 or Pilot Chrono 41. Both watches have there advantages and disadvantages, do you favour the bo1 movement or the IWC water resistance for example. Really interested in everyones thoughts on these two
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Ian
Went from big interest in divers to drifting into world of pilots watches
Member since
Last active: 2 years ago
I think the Navitimer is the more iconic watch. It simply cannot be mistaken for anything else. Meanwhile, there are a number of Fliegers that very closely resemble the IWC, and some from very respectable brands.
However, if I were to own one and wear one every day... I think I'd have to go for the IWC!
I think the Navitimer is the more iconic watch. It simply cannot be mistaken for anything else. Meanwhile, there are a number of Fliegers that very closely resemble the IWC, and some from very respectable brands.
However, if I were to own one and wear one every day... I think I'd have to go for the IWC!
You nailed it. There is one more reason why to chose the IWC. The IWC does not lose its value so fast as Breitling does.
I think the Navitimer is the more iconic watch. It simply cannot be mistaken for anything else. Meanwhile, there are a number of Fliegers that very closely resemble the IWC, and some from very respectable brands.
However, if I were to own one and wear one every day... I think I'd have to go for the IWC!
Why choose the IWC so? Very curious. On a side note do you know which, if any of these is more anti magnetic, cheers
I would choose the IWC just because it looks less busy and crazy to me.
Don't get me wrong, the Navitimer is an awesome watch, and the back story is amazing. And I love the fact that Breitling supplied the RAF with timepieces during WWII. There are even stories about how Willy Breitling smuggled timepieces to the Allies under the noses of the Nazis surrounding Switzerland. Don't know if the stories are true, but if so, absolutely amazing:
https://www.thegentlemansjournal.com/article/history-of-breitling/
So, while I think the Navitimer is a more iconic and more awesome and more everything watch... the slide rule bezel just isn't for me.
Instead, this is the Breitling I did purchase... over all the IWC options out there:
The IWC. The Navitimer has complications I will never use.
Navitimer. It’s the icon and the B01 is a great movement. Also you can calculate tips and foreign exchange conversions with the slide rule.
I think the IWC is more functional as a watch, but if I was shopping for a pilot's chronograph I'd be looking at Sinn or Damasko.
I've lusted after the Navitimer for years. I would choose that over the IWC.
If you're going to swim with it, the IWC. If not - the Navitimer.
Bottom line, the Navitimer is much more recognizable. Its movement is in a higher league than the IWC's. IIRC, the basic pilot chrono from IWC has an ordinary SW-500 (Sellita's 7750 clone). There are way more watches that will offer you something equal or better for way less. Sinn comes to mind, as well as a few others. Longines Spirit chrono and the Avigation BigEye, Siduna's reissue of the Viggen that's largely similar to the Tipo CP-2 "Cairelli" chronographs. Oh, and then there's Zenith's reissue of the Cairelli, you can find those on the grey market.
There's also another option, Sinn's clone of the Navitimer. Way better WR, and it's not a homage - Sinn bought the rights to the design from Breitling fair and square, when Breitling wasn't doing well.
However, if the choice is between these two - the Breitling would be my choice.
I totally forgot about the Sinn that MrBloke mentioned.
If you're going to swim with it, the IWC. If not - the Navitimer.
Bottom line, the Navitimer is much more recognizable. Its movement is in a higher league than the IWC's. IIRC, the basic pilot chrono from IWC has an ordinary SW-500 (Sellita's 7750 clone). There are way more watches that will offer you something equal or better for way less. Sinn comes to mind, as well as a few others. Longines Spirit chrono and the Avigation BigEye, Siduna's reissue of the Viggen that's largely similar to the Tipo CP-2 "Cairelli" chronographs. Oh, and then there's Zenith's reissue of the Cairelli, you can find those on the grey market.
There's also another option, Sinn's clone of the Navitimer. Way better WR, and it's not a homage - Sinn bought the rights to the design from Breitling fair and square, when Breitling wasn't doing well.
However, if the choice is between these two - the Breitling would be my choice.
Isnt the pilot chrono I posted the one with a in house movement?
I've lusted after the Navitimer for years. I would choose that over the IWC.
Yeah it was one of the first watches I thought I cool
Isnt the pilot chrono I posted the one with a in house movement?
Ah, it's the 41. You're right, these already got the new movement. 7750-based, but with a column wheel and the Pellaton auto winding system.
Navitimer for sure
The Navitimer, naturally. Love that stupidly complicated design. If I were to buy something from IWC, it would be a Spitfire probably or a Portugueiser.
I think it boils down to if you prefer Miles Davis or Tom Brady. I think Miles is cooler. Although I'm not sure about the strap.
I personally love the iconic navitimer and its versatility. Can be used for dressed watch and causal sports. In all honesty I just love to have the date on my watch even on chronograph. Breitling ditch the date for design issue. But IWC show they can design cool pilot chronograph even with day date. Luckily Breitling include the date on their super chronomat, hence I pull the trigger. IWC though make a very nice and cool pilot chronograph. Kern should have learnt from IWC before he come to breitling.