The 5 Best Breitling Watches [Ranked]
In this post, we examined five of the best-selling Breitling watches on the market today.
Breitling is credited with being the inventor of the modern chronograph watch, which has been worn by aviators during WWII.
They are one of the only brands that install chronometer-certified movements in their watches (Source).
We assembled this top five list by analyzing sales ranking across several e-commerce sites.
How does a chronograph watch work?
Chronograph watches generally use springs and gears for precision timekeeping. Most mechanical chronometer watches feature a number of complications, which adds additional features to the watch (Source).
If you’re in the market for a chronograph watch make sure you get a face that’s easy enough for you to read. Also, most experts agree integrated chronograph movements are superior to modular designs because integrated movements are designed from the ground up with components optimized for chronometer use (Source).
Contents
Comparing The Options
| Breitling Watches | Price ($) | |
|---|---|---|
 | The Breitling Navitimer chronograph watch | $$$ |
 | The Breitling Pro Chronospace watch | $$$ |
| The Breitling Chronomat automatic Watch | $$ | |
 | The Breitling Navitimer World Watch | $$$ |
15 Things You Didn't Know About Breitling
How Do They Compare?
- The first watch we reviewed is the Breitling Navitimer, which features a large silver dial and a self-winding automatic chronometer movement. It’s water resistant up to 30 meters, but isn’t recommended for scuba diving. While this is a stylish watch, the face seems cluttered compared to other models, which might make it difficult for some wearers to read.
- The Galactic is an automatic self wind watch that is a classic all stainless steel design and a black dial, which is both suited to casual and formal dress. This watch’s functions include: hours, minutes and date. One of the standout features of this watch is the separate date window, which makes it easy to see the date. It’s a great timepiece for those who want both function and classic looks.
- The Breitling Chronomat is another watch that features an automatic self-wind mechanism. This is a striking looking watch with both gold and silver on the bezel and a black dial. The Chronomat is water resistant up to 300 meters, but most people suggest light swimming or snorkeling with this watch as opposed to scuba diving. If you’re in the market for a stunning and functional chronometer, this watch may be the one for you.
- The Breitling Pro Chronospace watch features a classy black stainless steel case and a matching mesh bracelet. It’s water resistant up to 50 meters and like other watches of this type, it’s recommended for light swimming rather than scuba diving or snorkeling. What sets this watch apart from others is the bold, easy to read display that features both analog and digital components. Users praise this watch for its ability to help them navigate multiple time zones and for its classic good looks.
- Last up is the Navitimer World watch. This watch combines old world styling with modern internals. It features a corrugated bidirectional bezel with a black dial and silver complications and subdials. Like the other watches we reviewed, this one is also water resistant, but not waterproof and is suited to brief exposure to water. The stainless steel case uses an anti-reflective sapphire dial window that protects against scratches. Buyers praise this watch as being one of the best you can buy in this class.
Best Breitlings For 2023
Effectiveness
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Ease Of Use
This chronograph stainless steel watch for men offered by Breitling is a product of high-quality and elegant design. Users love the accuracy and functionality of this timepiece, but some do note that it’s a costly product.
The Breitling pilot watch features a corrugated bidirectional bezel, a black dial with luminous hands, three chronograph subdials, and a 43mm stainless steel case. Another great thing about this aviator watch is that it has an anti-reflective sapphire dial window and an automatic self-wind movement with analog display, so no batteries required. Moreover, the watch has a leather band made of calfskin with contrast stitching and fold-over clasp closure.
The Navitimer watch is water resistant up to 99 ft so you can’t swim with it.
In general, users have a high opinion of the Breitling Navitimer chronograph watch, and they praise its design, accuracy, and functionality. They don’t have any significant complaints, and they highly recommend it as one of the best Breitling pilot watches. A reviewer shares that this stainless steel watch will be an excellent addition to any collection and that it’s one of the greatest watches in history.
Another purchaser adds that the chronograph watch seems heavy at first, but it’s not and that it fits his wrist well. He also mentions that he is wearing it every day and that he hasn’t experienced any delays or similar issues.
Pros
- High-quality
- Three chronograph subdials
- A stainless steel case
- Automatic self-wind movement
- A leather band with fold-over-clasp closure
Cons
- Not the cheapest option
Effectiveness
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If you’re looking for a professional chronograph stainless steel watch, you might consider this pilot quartz watch offered by Breitling Men’s. Users love the functionality and performance of the watch, but some do note that it’s quite expensive.
The Breitling professional navigator watch features a bidirectional bezel, an analog and digital display, a 48mm stainless steel case, an anti-reflective sapphire dial window, and stylish hands. Other great features of the watch are the Swiss quartz movement, a mesh stainless steel bracelet, and the deployment buckle closure. What’s more, this timepiece is water-resistant up to 50m so you can go swimming with it with no worries.
As a whole, buyers are very impressed with the quality and accuracy of the Breitling professional pilot watch, and they highly recommend it as one of the best navigator watches. A reviewer states that this Chronospace black watch is a limited edition worthy of any collection and that he is satisfied with his purchase.
Another buyer adds that the watch is extremely useful for navigating multiple time zones and that it fits his hand well. He also states that the color is very nice and the display is easy to read. A customer notes that the price of the timepiece far surpasses its quality and that the watch is invaluable.
Chronospace Video Overview
Pros
- A bidirectional bezel
- An analog and digital display
- Swiss quartz movement
- Mesh bracelet
Cons
- Not the cheapest option
Effectiveness
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This automatic stainless steel watch for men offered by Breitling is a product of high quality and price with unique design and elegant look. Users love the accuracy of the timepiece, but some do note that it’s expensive.
The Breitling Chromomat pilot watch features a 7.5-millimeter band, a black dial, sword-shaped hands, a rose-gold bezel, a 41mm case, and an analog display. Another great thing about this watch is that it’s automatic and it self-winds so you won’t have to buy batteries. Moreover, the Chronomat navigator watch has three subdials, a sapphire dial window, a brown leather band, and it’s water-resistant up to 300 meters.
However, you should know that this watch is not a brand new product. It’s pre-owned and certified by WatchFacts to be in mint condition. The watch comes with a1-year warranty backed by WatchFacts, not the original manufacturer.
Chronomat Video Overview
Pros
- High-quality
- Sword-shaped hands
- A rose-gold bezel
- An analog display
- Automatic movement
- Three subdials
- Water-resistant up to 300 m
Cons
- Pre-owned
- Warranty not backed by the manufacturer
4. The Breitling Galactic Review
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If you are searching for an elegant self-wind watch to complete your outfit, you might consider the Galactic automatic self-wind watch. Users love the design and the price, but you should know that this exceptional timepiece is not brand new.
The Breitling Galactic automatic watch features a stainless steel bezel, a black dial, and a 36mm case. Another great feature of the watch is that it’s water-resistant up to 100m and it has a sapphire dial window with an analog display. Moreover, this self-wind Breitling watch has fold-over claps and a silver band.
Since the Galactic automatic watch is not brand new, it’s certified by WatchFacts to be in mint condition with a rate of 97. In addition to this, the watch comes with an original box and a manufacturer’s papers and 1-year warranty by WatchFacts.
Galactic Video Overview
Pros
- Stylish
- Stainless steel bezel
- Water-resistant up to 100m
- Scratch-resistant
- A fold-over clasp
- An original box
Cons
- None so far
Effectiveness
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Ease Of Use
The Wolrd GMT men watch offered by Breitling is accurate, efficient, elegant and well-made. Users love the design and performance of the watch, but some do note that the watch is expensive.
The Breitling world GMT watch for men features a silver dial, a self-winding automatic GMT chronometer movement, a polished steel case, a bi-directional rotating bezel, and luminous hands. Another great thing about this watch is that it has a date and chronograph feature and scratch-resistant sapphire crystal. Moreover, the watch has a stylish brown leather strap with crocodile pattern, and it comes in a manufacturer box with a manual.
The Navitimer world men’s watch is water-resistant up to 100 ft, so it’s not suitable for swimming.
A reviewer mentions that he was anxious to buy the watch because he didn’t know if it will fit his wrist well. However, the buyer was very pleased when he got the watch because the Breitling world GTM watch was a perfect fit and it was very comfortable to wear. He adds that the watch looks very classy and that he hasn’t had any issues with it. The customer highly recommends it to anyone looking for a unique navigator watch.
Pros
- Automatic
- Self-winding
- A bi-directional bezel
- Luminous hands
- Chronograph features
- Scratch-resistant
- A date display
Cons
- Not the cheapest option
About
Breitling SA is a company well-known for playing a significant role in the exclusive and demanding field of high-quality timekeeping. The Swiss watchmaking company – established in 1884 in Saint-Imier and currently based in Grenchen, Switzerland – is widely recognized for precision-made chronometers and watches that are useful, for example, to aviators.
The quality – ensured by the workshop of the company – remains unerring in the hardest situations. By the help of the company’s models, exact measurement is a possibility even under the most challenging environments. Besides, the company offers unique movement models that no other watchmaking manufacturer produces.
The founder of the company, Léon Breitling was a specialist of technical watches. He has played an essential leading role in the wrist chronograph development. The company has shared all its brightest moments of success thanks to its reliable, high-performance and sturdy instruments. The company is unique major watch brand offering movement models with certified chronometer status.
They also produce mechanical chronograph movements that are entirely manufactured in the company’s own workshops. In addition, Breitling is amongst the last remaining independent watch brands in Switzerland.
According To WatchTime
Being a Swiss luxury watch brand, Breitling was founded in 1884. It is popular mainly among pilots and aviators who often use the company’s chronometers under challenging and hard conditions. Mainly, the brand produces two calibers, Breitling caliber B01, and caliber B04. The latter is similar to B01 though has additionally a GMT feature.
History
The workshop of Breitling SA – located in Saint-Imier, Swiss village place known as Bernese Jura – starts its story in 1884.
Breitling watches are produced in Switzerland using only Swiss components. The company makes two movements: caliber B01 and caliber B04. Ebauches’ primary suppliers used in particular Breitling watches are the famous Valjoux and ETA. Before passing certification by COSC (Contrôle
Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres) the ébauches used in the Breitling models undergo the final stage of completion in the company’s Chronometrie Workshops.
Breitling’s mechanical chronograph movement, B01, was developed in 2009. For its production, the workshop used Chronomat 01, which is the first watch produced completely by Breitling. Since then the Chronomat has used a Breitling movement (the latest addition was done in 2012) for the Chronomat GMT Limited, a watch with limited edition; and the Chronomat 44 GMT, again with the B04 movement.
It was announced in April 2017 that Breitling Company had been sold for over $870m to CVC Capital Partners.
Product Lines
All models of the company are fit with certified chronometers. The company’s watches are generally marketed towards aviation (Navitimer) and diving (SuperOcean). Aviation models, for instance, the Navitimer, have aviation functions mainly as complications, as in aviation their function has mostly been replaced by new electronic instruments. Breitling watches’ style is characterized by bracelets, polished cases, as well as large watch faces that are designed in readability improving way. Most models also comprise winding mechanism of automatic nature, which is purely mechanical and often have complications.
In the far 1940s, a circular slide rule was added by the company to their chronograph models’ bezel to be used by aircraft pilots. Later this became the well-known model of Navitimer. Years later, during the 1950s and further in 1960s, the Pilots Association and Aircraft Owners offered one version of the Navitimer with AOPA logo on it.
It was in 1961 when Scott Carpenter, the Mercury space program astronaut, suggested a 24-hour dial watch instead of the normal 12-hour dial to be produced by Breitling. This was necessary because there is no day and night in space travel. Breitling agreed to produce the 24-hour Navitimer and when it was already made, Carpenter wore it on his 1962 space flight. Then Breitling proceeded to produce this 24- hour version as Cosmonaute Navitimer – under AOPA and Breitling logos.
By the 1990s, logos were used for the needs of military aviation customers had included various unit logos of the Chronospace and Aerospace Auto models, mainly those of squadrons and generally part of a corporate purchase by navigators, pilots, and flight officers of that specific unit.
In 1942, Breitling presented the model called – in tune- Chronomat, which was a chronograph with manual winding and slide rule. The model was officially introduced in the Army Air Force of the United States. The ambitious name of the model combines the words "chronograph" and "mathematics" more than simply “automatic”.
The company’s most famous model beneath the Chronomat is considered the Navitimer which has a built-in slide rule. This model was developed in 1952. In 1986 a new edition entered the market. With its capability of achieving correct air traffic control, this chronograph makes the on-board instrument be replaced. It helps to perform speed calculation, time measurement, as well as measurement of fuel consumption. The Navitimer has been chosen as pilot’s watch by the AOPA pilot union, the logo of which adorned the first models.
