The Ultimate Chronograph Battle: Breitling Navitimer vs. Omega Speedma

When it comes to chronographs, few watches are as iconic and revered as the Breitling Navitimer and the Omega Speedmaster. Both watches have a storied history and a reputation for being among the best chronographs in the world, but each brings its own unique flavor to the table. Whether you’re a pilot, an astronaut, or a watch enthusiast, choosing between these two iconic timepieces can be a difficult decision.

In this blog post, we’ll dive into the key features, design elements, movements, and history of these two chronographs to help you decide which one is the best fit for your wrist.

A Brief Overview

Breitling Navitimer: First introduced in 1952, the Breitling Navitimer was designed with pilots in mind. Its most distinguishing feature is the circular slide rule bezel, which allows pilots to perform complex flight calculations. Over the decades, the Navitimer has become a symbol of aviation and precision, known for its unique blend of style and functionality.

Omega Speedmaster: The Omega Speedmaster is a watch that truly needs no introduction. Famously known as the "Moonwatch," the Speedmaster was part of every crewed NASA mission and became the first watch worn on the moon during the Apollo 11 mission in 1969. Designed for astronauts and space enthusiasts, the Speedmaster is a symbol of durability, reliability, and technological advancement.

Design & Aesthetic

Breitling Navitimer: The Breitling Navitimer stands out with its bold, intricate design. The slide rule bezel, which allows for navigation-related calculations, adds a level of complexity that immediately catches the eye. The dial is typically busy, featuring several subdials for chronograph functions, a tachymeter scale, and large Arabic numerals or indexes.

Navitimers are often larger, with case sizes ranging from 41mm to 46mm, making them more prominent on the wrist. Breitling offers the Navitimer in various materials, including stainless steel, gold, and titanium, along with different dial color options and strap choices.

Design Features:
- Circular slide rule bezel for aviation calculations.
- Multiple subdials for chronograph functions.
- Larger case sizes for a bold, masculine look.
- Busy dial with a focus on precision and functionality.

Omega Speedmaster: The Omega Speedmaster is known for its clean, classic design. With its iconic black dial, tachymeter bezel, and three subdials, the Speedmaster maintains a more minimalist approach compared to the Navitimer. The simplicity of the design is part of its appeal—everything is where it needs to be, with nothing extra.

The Speedmaster has a more refined size, typically around 42mm, making it versatile and suitable for most wrists. It often features a stainless steel case and bracelet, but Omega offers a range of strap options, including leather and NATO straps, for added versatility.

Design Features:
- Iconic black dial with simple chronograph layout.
- Tachymeter bezel for measuring speed.
- Clean and minimalist design.
- Refined size for a versatile, timeless look.

Winner (Design):
The Breitling Navitimer is ideal if you love a busy, intricate design that makes a bold statement. The Omega Speedmaster, however, wins for those who prefer a classic, understated design with legendary history.

Movement & Performance

Breitling Navitimer: Most modern Navitimer models are equipped with Breitling’s in-house Caliber B01 movement, which is known for its reliability and precision. The B01 movement offers an impressive 70-hour power reserve and is COSC-certified, ensuring top-notch chronometer-grade accuracy.

Breitling’s chronograph function is smooth, and the movement features a vertical clutch and column wheel, which improves the accuracy and feel of the chronograph pushers. It’s a movement designed to handle complex operations without sacrificing precision.

Key Movement Features:
- Breitling in-house Caliber B01 movement.
- 70-hour power reserve.
- COSC-certified chronometer.
- Column wheel and vertical clutch for improved chronograph function.

Omega Speedmaster: The Omega Speedmaster Professional (the Moonwatch) is powered by the Caliber 3861, a hand-wound movement. The Caliber 3861 is also Master Chronometer-certified, meaning it has passed stringent accuracy and reliability tests. It offers a 50-hour power reserve, making it slightly less than the Navitimer, but still impressive for everyday wear.

In addition to the Professional, Omega also offers automatic Speedmaster models with Caliber 9900 movements, which feature the brand’s Co-Axial escapement technology, providing enhanced accuracy and longer service intervals.

Key Movement Features:
- Hand-wound Caliber 3861 or automatic Caliber 9900.
- 50-hour power reserve for manual-wound; higher for automatic models.
- Master Chronometer certification.
- Co-Axial escapement for improved accuracy (in automatic models).

Winner (Movement):
While both watches offer top-tier performance, the Breitling Navitimer’s B01 movement edges out slightly with its 70-hour power reserve and its smoother chronograph function. However, the Speedmaster’s Caliber 3861 is still a masterpiece, especially for those who appreciate manual winding and a more traditional approach.

Functionality

Breitling Navitimer: The Navitimer’s claim to fame is its slide rule bezel, which allows for a range of flight-related calculations, such as fuel consumption, airspeed, and distance traveled. While not all wearers will use these functions daily, they remain a unique aspect of the watch’s design and appeal.

The Navitimer’s chronograph functions are precise and easy to use, and the watch’s larger size makes it easy to read at a glance.

Omega Speedmaster: The Speedmaster is a no-nonsense chronograph. Its tachymeter bezel is used for calculating speed based on time and distance, and the chronograph is highly legible. The Speedmaster’s simplicity is one of its strengths, as it doesn’t overcomplicate things for the wearer.

Though it lacks the slide rule functionality of the Navitimer, the Speedmaster has a more universal appeal for its user-friendly design and practicality.

Winner (Functionality):
If you’re a fan of aviation or need to perform detailed calculations, the Breitling Navitimer is unmatched in functionality. However, for most users, the Omega Speedmaster offers just the right balance of usability and simplicity.

Heritage & Legacy

Breitling Navitimer: The Navitimer’s heritage is steeped in aviation. For decades, it has been the go-to watch for pilots, with its functional slide rule bezel offering a practical tool for navigation in the skies. Breitling's long-standing association with aviation and precision instrumentation has cemented the Navitimer as a symbol of airborne adventure.

Key Heritage Points:
- Iconic aviation watch introduced in 1952.
- Beloved by pilots and aviation professionals.
- Known for innovation in watch functionality and design.

Omega Speedmaster: The Omega Speedmaster is legendary for its role in space exploration. As the first watch worn on the moon, the Speedmaster is synonymous with NASA and human achievement. Its association with the Apollo missions and its reliability in extreme conditions have given the Speedmaster an enduring legacy in horology.

Key Heritage Points:
- First watch worn on the moon (Apollo 11, 1969).
- Official NASA watch for space missions.
- Symbol of human exploration and innovation.

Winner (Heritage):
Both watches have incredible histories, but the Omega Speedmaster takes the crown for its association with space exploration and its role in one of the most significant achievements in human history.

Price & Value

Breitling Navitimer: The Navitimer is positioned as a luxury chronograph and typically starts at around $6,000 to $8,000, depending on the model and materials. It’s a high price tag but offers exceptional craftsmanship, in-house movements, and a wealth of functionality. For collectors and aviation enthusiasts, the Navitimer is well worth the investment.

Omega Speedmaster: The Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch is slightly more affordable, with prices starting around $5,000 to $7,000 for the basic models. However, limited editions and models with more advanced movements, such as the automatic Co-Axial versions, can go higher. Given its iconic status, historical importance, and craftsmanship, the Speedmaster provides excellent value for money.

Winner (Price & Value):
Both watches offer great value, but for its iconic status and slightly more affordable price range, the Omega Speedmaster is the winner when it comes to value for money.

Conclusion: Navitimer vs. Speedmaster – Which One Is Right for You?

Both the Breitling Navitimer and the Omega Speedmaster are iconic chronographs that offer unique advantages.

If you’re drawn to aviation history, appreciate bold designs, and value the functional slide rule bezel, the Breitling Navitimer is an exceptional choice.
However, if you’re captivated by the space heritage, prefer a clean, minimalist design, and want a watch with legendary status tied to one of the greatest achievements in human history, the Omega Speedmaster is the watch for you.

At the end of the day, both of these chronographs are not just watches—they are symbols of human achievement in aviation and space exploration. Whether you choose the aviation-inspired Navitimer or the moon-bound Speedmaster, you’ll be adding an iconic piece of horological history to your collection.

Elevate Your Navitimer or Speedmaster with WIS Straps

No matter which chronograph you choose, a high-quality strap can take your watch to the next level. At WIS Straps, we offer a range of premium straps, from rugged NATO straps for your Speedmaster to sleek leather or rubber options for your Navitimer. Enhance your timepiece with a strap that matches your style and functionality needs.