This rare watch contains the Breitling caliber 19 automatic movement. Essentially this is a modified base Swiss ETA 2892 automatic with a module produced (I believe) by Dubuis Depraz. The module of course offers a full 12 hour chronograph, but it also offers an annual calendar and moon phase indicator. Each of the chronograph sub dials has the dual purpose of being used for a calendar display. Breitling confusingly does not call it an “annual calendar,” but rather a “leap-year calendar.” While confusing given that “annual calendar” is an industry-wide term, it does make sense as annual calendar implies the calendar needs to be adjusted annually, when in reality it is only on leap years that it needs to be adjusted.
The caliber 19 is actually rather complicated and according to Breitling, comprises over 450 parts. Despite all the functions, power reserve is still 42 hours. In addition to the time, annual calendar, and chronograph, the moon phase is an attractive addition to the feature set. What I find interesting is how the calendar functions are adjusted. The crown seems to be used exclusively for winding and the time, while the pushers are for the chronograph. Inset pin pushers around the case (four of them) are used to adjust either the date, day of the week, month, or moon phase). This means that if the calendar functions need to be reset, it is relatively easy and quickly to do so (assuming you have something with which to activate the pushers).
The metallic blue and steel dial is very pretty and soft on the eyes. While the Navitimer 1461 doesn’t have an in-house made movement (such as the Breitling Navitimer 01 – reviewed here), it does have a rather exclusive movement and nice combination of features and style. Also, the movement is COSC Chronometer certified. The case is large at 46mm wide, making it bigger than many of the standard Navitimer models. The iconic case is highly polished and it has a double AR coated sapphire crystal. However, the case is only water resistant to 30 meters (typical of most all Navitimer models).
As a limited edition, what makes this Navitimer 1461 unique is the blue dial. In fact, all of the Navitimer 1461 models that Breitling has produced seem to have been limited editions. The last one has a black dial. Each is limited to 1,000 pieces. I believe this is merely a practical measure given the availability of the movements. The blue Navitimer 1461 is available on either a steel metal bracelet or blue strap. The bracelet is nice, and it is hard to not recommend a Breitling-made bracelet, but it does look so nice on that blue strap, making that option difficult to resist. Price for the watch on the bracelet is $11,005, and a bit less on the strap. breitling.com
