Breitling Navitimer Automatic 41 Southeast Asia Boutique Limited Edition

The Navitimer Automatic was a head-turner when it was launched in 2018. Dropping the chronograph that had been a defining feature of the iconic Breitling Navitimer model opened up the dial, and preserving the circular slide rule not only signified a live connection to its past, it was also a most useful feature too little seen in an ocean of tachymeters and dive-time bezels. Moreover, multiple dial colours and a relatively svelte case – 38mm across and 10mm in height — meant a very versatile yet refined everyday watch for men, and women. Earlier this year, Breitling rolled out the Navitimer Automatic in 41mm case – a very good size indeed, if one is not over-compensating for the excesses of the past by diving headlong into 30s sizes. Without seeming burly, 41mm while retaining the 10mm thickness of the earlier Automatic 38 also makes for an easier read of the slide rule while doing blitzing currency conversions on the fly.

The Automatic 41 makes a fine choice then, for Breitling to base its Southeast Asia Boutique Limited Edition, in celebration of six years of dedicated boutique presence in Southeast Asia, comprising seven boutiques spread between Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta. The Southeast Asia Boutique Limited Edition is a marriage of the non-limited models: a blue dial (previously only with all-steel case) is now matched with beaded rose gold bezel and gold tone hour markers (previously present in all but the blue dial version).

Besides the bump in glamour, the rest of the watch remains fundamentally sound as before: in matching blue leather strap, driven by the self-winding Caliber 17 chronometer movement delivering 38 hours of power reserve, with non screw-locked crown yielding an acceptable 30 meters of water resistance.

Available in a limited edition of 36 pieces for Southeast Asia.