Breitling 1959 Navitimer Re-Edition vs. Original

Key Points from the Discussion

• Reissues, like the new Navitimer, serve a different purpose than originals; they are for wearing without worry and often boast higher overall quality, making them appealing to prospective owners who value lasting power in a collection.
• While reissues may become collector pieces, simply copying an original design lacks creativity and can be uninspiring, suggesting that brands should offer new interpretations or innovations rather than exact replicas.
• There is a clear market for brand new classic reissues, as demonstrated by Aston Martin and Jaguar, and Breitling would be wise to cater to this demand, especially for models like the Navitimer where collectors often prefer the original aesthetic.
• The new Navitimer successfully blends faithfulness to the original design with modern comforts like an improved power reserve and water resistance, making it a desirable option for collectors.
• The author's personal connection to the Navitimer stems from his private pilot license days, where the watch's slide rule was used for flight calculations, and his preference for the all-black AOPA version.
• A key question arises regarding the use of tritium in modern reissues, prompting discussion on regulatory guidelines or watchmaker discretion in material choices.