New 2020 watch release Breitling Navitimer B03 Chronograph Rattrapante 45
The new 2020 watch release Breitling Navitimer B03 Chronograph Rattrapante 45 is yet another oversized but visually striking watch release.
Equipped with Breitling’s Manufacture Caliber B03, a unique split-second movement, the new Navitimer B03 Chronograph Rattrapante is an ode to the brand’s 85 years long run of producing technologically advanced movements.
The X-Factor
The most striking element about the Breitling Navitimer B03 Chronograph Rattrapante 45 watch is the contrasting colours, textures and depths present on the dial.
- A sun-ray burst grey (Stratos Gray) coloured dial face
- Sunken and concentric circled black sub-dials that give a panda effect to the watch face.
- Gold tones of hour markers and hour/minute hands
- The shiny gold case and bezel
- White numbered peripheral circular slide rule and branding
- Dashes if striking red seconds hand & lettering at 3,9 and 12’o clock
- The sunken date window with white lettering and black rotating underneath disc.
To compliment the case, the watch comes on a black alligator leather strap with pin buckle.
Er, what’s a rattrapante
The rattrapante is considered to be one of the most sophisticated complications in the world of watchmaking. In a nutshell, this complication is designed to measure two elapsed times simultaneously by the use of two superimposed central chronograph hands.
Not just another Navitimer my friend
There’s a cool added feature that sets this release apart from the usual Navitimer range.
Normally, a Breitling Navitimer features a stylised “B” logo with an anchor symbol adorning the base of the chronograph hands. However, in this version, the logo has been divided between two central hands.
The B is on the red chronograph hand, while the anchor sits on the split-second hand.
As a result, a cool new feature is displayed on the dial face: the two elements of the logo are separated when the split-second hand is stopped and combine when the hands realign with each other.
Features of the Reference RB0311E61F1P1
The Movement
The heart used — Breitling Manufacture Caliber B03 — is a COSC-certified self-winding mechanical movement with ball bearings and a column wheel, vertical clutch chronograph beating at the frequency of 4Hz (28’800 A/h).
The movement is encased inside a very large 45mm diameter and 15.73mm thick 18k red gold case. It boasts of an impressive 70 hours power reserve. The gold case-back is screwed with sapphire glass. The watch has a bidirectional bezel with circular slide rule and a non-screw-locked crown.
The Dial
The watch face shows the functions of hours, minutes, seconds, a date window at 4.30, and a split-second chronograph with a 1/4th second display sub-dial, a 30 minute display sub-dial and a 12 hour counter. This uniquely ‘Stratos Gray’ coloured dial is covered by a convex sapphire crystal with double antireflective coating. For increased legibility, the hour markers, hour and minute hands are filled with SuperLumiNova®.
Watch Ya Gonna Do About It?
The new 2020 watch release Breitling Navitimer B03 Chronograph Rattrapante 45 is a stunning watch with a very impressive lineage — since 1952, the Navitimer is arguably the most iconic of all Breitling wristwatches — and movement — produced by the brand at its Chronométrie facility in La Chauxde Fonds — the Breitling Manufacture Caliber B03.
In terms of added functions, the watch features a split-second pusher housed in the crown at 3’o clock, that will allow the wearer to measure split times or compare the results of several competitors.
With all theses amazing aspects, the Navitimer B03 Chronograph Rattrapante 45 is a mechanical and visual delight, and for fans of the brand, a must add to any Navitimer collection.
The watch is not really an office wear watch being a bit too thick to fit under the cuff, but wearing this with just jeans and a t-shirt would be sublimely amazing. Given its understated classy feel, it can also double up for a more formal affair.
For more information on this watch and other Breitling watches, head to their website here.
