Breitling Pays Homage to The Last Boeing 747 Through a Limited Edition
Breitling dresses up to say goodbye to the “monster” that revolutionized the skies, the Boeing 747, launching a limited edition in the same number of units that gives its name to the mythical plane.
Launched in 1969, the Boeing 747 revolutionized commercial aviation, becoming the largest passenger transport aircraft in the world, a status it maintained for almost 4 decades, being dethroned in the 21st century by the Airbus A380 and whose first place in the world podium still holds today.
The “Queen of the Skies” as it became known, had the capacity to carry twice as many passengers as the second-largest airliner in the world and could fly over 5000 nautical miles, transforming long-haul travel forever.
One year away from completing its 55th anniversary, Boeing is preparing to deliver the last 747 and Breitling is joining in to pay due tribute to this Jumbo Jet through a special edition of its no less legendary Navitimer.
The new Navitimer Boeing 747 features a 43mm diameter stainless steel case, bidirectional fluted bezel with a circular slide rule, anti-reflective sapphire glass on both sides, and crown with the brand’s signature “B” at three o’clock flanked by two pump-style pushers and 30m water resistance.
The dial features the same colour palette as the original Boeing 747, reflected in the cream-coloured background, with the traditional three registers at 3-6-9 o’clock in black, including a date window and a red/white slide rule with small details in blue. Finally, the inscriptions of the original logo of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) at 12 o’clock preceded by the Breitling logo, “Navitimer” at 6 o’clock and “Boeing 747” inserted in the red slide rule at 8 o’clock.
Internally fitted with the in-house Caliber 01 automatic movement, which is COSC certified, operating at 28,800 Vph and offering up to 70 hours of power reserve. This manufactured Caliber of 346 components can be seen through the open case back, which is engraved with “ONE OF 747” and “The Original Jumbo Jet”.
This celebratory edition is offered on a black crocodile leather strap with white stitching and folding clasp or on a seven-link steel bracelet with a butterfly clasp.
The watches can be purchased at the brand’s official boutiques and authorized retailers for €8,750 and €9,100, for the leather strap and steel bracelet options respectively.
Our Opinion
We can’t think of any other brand or chronograph model that fits better in this tribute to this legendary plane.
With little more to add, in a chronograph that has as much tradition as the 747, the careful choice of the dial’s colour palette must be highlighted.
However, despite all the details, we would have liked to have seen the silhouette of the Boeing 747 drawn on the rear sapphire glass or even on an alternative solid case back, which in our opinion would give another dimension to the homage.
Read more here.
General Specifications:
Brand: Breitling
Model: Navitimer Boeing 747 Limited Edition
Reference: AB01383B1G1P1 (leather strap), AB01383B1G1A1 (steel bracelet)
Dial: Cream
Case Material: Stainless steel
Case Dimensions: 43 mm diameter, 13.69 mm thickness
Crystal: Sapphire Glass
Case Back: Sapphire Glass
Water Resistance: 30 Meters
Strap: Black crocodile leather strap with a folding clasp, stainless steel bracelet with a butterfly clasp
Caliber: Breitling 01
Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, date, chronograph
Winding: Automatic
Jewels: 47
Frequency: 4 Hz (28,800 Vph)
Power Reserve: 70 Hours
Components: 346
Chronometer Certified: COSC
Price: € 8,750 (leather strap), € 9,100 (steel bracelet)
Limited Edition: Yes, 747 pieces
