Breitling Navitimers - Explanation?

[cyberface]

Slightly different tack to the other thread so I thought I'd start a new one. I'm not keen on the Navitimers personally - very fussy looks, the marketing is risible (esp. associating with Scientologists like Travolta - career actor, profession pilot, ) and - please correct me if I'm wrong - they look suspiciously like 7750s in those fancy cases.

So I have two questions for the fans here, so I can better appreciate the watch. Firstly - it's not just a base 7750 in there is it? Breitling have done something special to it? Or is their own movement?

Secondly - and this is the one that I'm very interested in - what can you actually do with that circular slide-rule in the real world ?? It'd be nice to know what funky things you can do quickly with the thing - and that it serves a really useful purpose over and above other 'pilot' watches which tend to be very simple in design.

At least then, when someone sgs off Navitimers, I can say 'yes, I'm not a fan either but did you know that you can do this with them, etc.' - in short, what is the purpose behind the watch?

[tertius]

cyberface said:

Slightly different tack to the other thread so I thought I'd start a new one. I'm not keen on the Navitimers personally - very fussy looks, the marketing is risible (esp. associating with Scientologists like Travolta - career actor, profession pilot, ) and - please correct me if I'm wrong - they look suspiciously like 7750s in those fancy cases.

So I have two questions for the fans here, so I can better appreciate the watch. Firstly - it's not just a base 7750 in there is it? Breitling have done something special to it? Or is their own movement?

Secondly - and this is the one that I'm very interested in - what can you actually do with that circular slide-rule in the real world ?? It'd be nice to know what funky things you can do quickly with the thing - and that it serves a really useful purpose over and above other 'pilot' watches which tend to be very simple in design.

At least then, when someone sgs off Navitimers, I can say 'yes, I'm not a fan either but did you know that you can do this with them, etc.' - in short, what is the purpose behind the watch?

It is a 7750. All their watches use ETA base movements (except the tourbillon I assume).

I'm not sure what they have done to it, and its very hard to find out. However, I have seen a number of posts (usually on Timezone) which suggests they do a lot to it.

I too am not keen on Navitimers (or Breitlings generally) - the style doesn't appeal and they look awfully expensive for what you get. But its a good job we don't all like the same thing.

[phumy]

Like many others, mine is ok, it tells me the time just like your watch(es).

[lowdrag]

Fuel consumption, average speeds etc. Useful bit of kit if you use it properly.

[Cuchillo]

Breitling NaviTimer Instructions

[846732]

cyberface said:

Slightly different tack to the other thread so I thought I'd start a new one. I'm not keen on the Navitimers personally - very fussy looks, the marketing is risible (esp. associating with Scientologists like Travolta - career actor, profession pilot, ) and - please correct me if I'm wrong - they look suspiciously like 7750s in those fancy cases.

So I have two questions for the fans here, so I can better appreciate the watch. Firstly - it's not just a base 7750 in there is it? Breitling have done something special to it? Or is their own movement?

Secondly - and this is the one that I'm very interested in - what can you actually do with that circular slide-rule in the real world ?? It'd be nice to know what funky things you can do quickly with the thing - and that it serves a really useful purpose over and above other 'pilot' watches which tend to be very simple in design.

At least then, when someone sgs off Navitimers, I can say 'yes, I'm not a fan either but did you know that you can do this with them, etc.' - in short, what is the purpose behind the watch?

You're not actually interested in answers to your questions are you, this is just a smoke screen to have a dig at Navitimers isn't it

[anonymous-user]

cyberface said:

Secondly - and this is the one that I'm very interested in - what can you actually do with that circular slide-rule in the real world ?? It'd be nice to know what funky things you can do quickly with the thing - and that it serves a really useful purpose over and above other 'pilot' watches which tend to be very simple in design.

I suppose if you are a pilot you are using the functions in the real world. For any or all of the following, speed distance time calculations, rates of climb and descent, 1 in 60 calculations for calculating closing headings to get back on track, fuel calculations and various conversions.

[cyberface]

846732 said:

You're not actually interested in answers to your questions are you, this is just a smoke screen to have a dig at Navitimers isn't it

Not in the fking slightest. I'm genuinely interested. It's a functional piece of kit. I only disparage 'jewellery' watches that are pure 'bling'. I don't like the looks of the Navitimer and now I know it's a plain 7750, I think it's overpriced.... but that circular slide rule is functional and I want to know what the function is.

I will have a look at the manual link above, since the other two answers seem to assume I'm taking a dig as well. I'm not - regardless of whether I like the look of the watch or not, I'm interested in the complications. A slide rule dial isn't a movement complication but what I wanted to know was whether it was pure frippery (which would condemn the watch to all style and no substance IMO) or whether it can be used as a real tool (in which case I may not like the styling, but will at least appreciate it for what it's capable of).

I'm not that narrow minded, old chap. Not at all. I can understand log ratios around the dial to work out speeds from time / distance (as per virtually every chronograph out there, including my Speedmaster and my old Daytona) but the Navitimer appears to have a few more rings of numbers and, I assume, a hell of a lot more calculation capacity.

I may be of the electronic calculator age but I know what an experienced user with a decent slide rule can do. I am interested as to what calcs the Navitimer is good at (i.e. quicker than pulling out your iPhone and using the Converter application) and who uses it this way. No piss take whatsoever, and to all owners, enjoy your watches in good health.

[toohuge]

Although it may have a 'simple' movement in it, part of the reason it costs so much is the manufacturing process. Lots of attention to detail.

Im not a big fan to be honest and i would have many other watches over one of these.

[cyberface]

846732 said:

You're not actually interested in answers to your questions are you, this is just a smoke screen to have a dig at Navitimers isn't it

Not in the fking slightest. I'm genuinely interested. It's a functional piece of kit. I only disparage 'jewellery' watches that are pure 'bling'. I don't like the looks of the Navitimer and now I know it's a plain 7750, I think it's overpriced.... but that circular slide rule is functional and I want to know what the function is.

I will have a look at the manual link above, since the other two answers seem to assume I'm taking a dig as well. I'm not - regardless of whether I like the look of the watch or not, I'm interested in the complications. A slide rule dial isn't a movement complication but what I wanted to know was whether it was pure frippery (which would condemn the watch to all style and no substance IMO) or whether it can be used as a real tool (in which case I may not like the styling, but will at least appreciate it for what it's capable of).

I'm not that narrow minded, old chap. Not at all. I can understand log ratios around the dial to work out speeds from time / distance (as per virtually every chronograph out there, including my Speedmaster and my old Daytona) but the Navitimer appears to have a few more rings of numbers and, I assume, a hell of a lot more calculation capacity.

I may be of the electronic calculator age but I know what an experienced user with a decent slide rule can do. I am interested as to what calcs the Navitimer is good at (i.e. quicker than pulling out your iPhone and using the Converter application) and who uses it this way. No piss take whatsoever, and to all owners, enjoy your watches in good health.

[chris.mapey]

I have a Breitling B1 which has the slide rule bezel.

I use mine for converting mph to kmh (and obvuiously the same for miles - km) I also use it for £ to Euro as well.

I have read the book for the slide rule and tend to rely on my phone's calculator for anything more complex if I'm honest...

I like to use the bezel for the above conversions, 'cos I can, if that makes sense and also it's faster as I'm used to using it, rather than digging out the phone for a "simple" conversion.

Chris

[BigBen]

I use the slide rule on my Navitimer quite often, it is very good for the following:

i) setting it to the exchange rate during a holiday and you can very quickly do the currency conversion

ii) Splitting bills in restaurants

iii) Miles to KM conversions or other conversions

Wouldn't say I don't know how I lived without it but certainly use it in preference to a mobile 'phone calc for convenience if nothing else.

Ben

p.s. mine also tells you when a full moon is coming up, not very useful but cool