Breitling revisits its iconic models for the holiday season

With Christmas just around the corner, Breitling unveils a capsule collection in 18-karat red gold featuring five of its most legendary timepieces: three Navitimers and two Premiers.

With this ultra-limited end-of-year capsule collection available now, Breitling revisits its most recognizable models through the prism of red gold. This precious metal, denser than steel, enhances the sense of prestige unique to the brand, which remains faithful to its history while daring to embrace a certain modernity. The unique combinations of colors and materials, combined with finely contrasting finishes, give rise to unique pieces designed to embellish the Christmas holidays.

The Navitimer reinterpreted in red gold

Timeless, the Navitimer has spanned the decades since 1952 and remains one of the most recognizable chronographs in watchmaking history. In this capsule collection, three variations highlight the diversity of its identity, while respecting the founding codes that have made it famous.

The first is the Navitimer B01 Chronograph 41. In this 41-millimeter version, the Navitimer retains the historic proportions of the 1950s models, while incorporating the Manufacture Caliber 01, one of Breitling’s most iconic movements. The brown dial, punctuated with white counters, dialogues with the circular slide rule and with red gold hands and indexes, perfectly matched to the case. The open case back reveals the movement, enhanced by a skeletonized red gold rotor and Côtes de Genève decorations.

With a more refined look, the Navitimer Automatic 36 features a green dial with an external slide rule. Powered by the Breitling 17 automatic caliber, this version appeals with its compact dimensions and the purity of its display, reduced to the essentials. The green alligator strap matches the dial, as does the red gold pin buckle.

Finally, with a diameter of 32 millimeters, the Navitimer 32 stands out for its elegance. The brown dial is enhanced by diamond-set hour markers, while the beaded bezel is reminiscent of the very first Navitimers from the 1950s. Inside, the thermo-compensated Breitling Caliber 77 SuperQuartz guarantees high precision and allows for a particularly slim case thickness of just 8 millimeters. It is mounted on a brown alligator strap and secured with a red gold pin buckle.

Premier : the 1940s revisited

Created in the 1940s, the Premier collection embodies a more elegant facet of Breitling’s identity. Conceived under the impetus of Willy Breitling, the Premier has established itself as a symbol of expertise focused on style as much as performance.

The Premier B01 Chronograph 42 stands out in this capsule collection with its navy blue dial and red gold hands and hour markers. Two counters dedicated to seconds and thirty minutes respectively structure the composition, while the date window at six o’clock adds a discreet functional touch. Powered by the Breitling Manufacture Caliber 01, the watch reveals its movement through an open case back, where an 18-karat red gold rotor and refined finishes can be seen.

The last piece in the capsule collection, the Premier B09 Chronograph 40 combines retro elegance with understated proportions. Its dark green dial, combined with red gold hands and hour markers, gives the watch a bold and timeless personality. It is powered by a hand-wound movement, the Manufacture Caliber B09, visible through the sapphire crystal case back, in a refined configuration without a rotor. This choice reinforces the link with traditional watchmaking and offers a more intimate experience for the wearer. Its dark brown alligator strap and red gold folding clasp complete an aesthetic designed for lovers of classic pieces with a subtle twist.

“The design of both the Navitimer and the Premier is very popular with collectors and new customers,” said Georges Kern, CEO of Breitling. “These models are both classic and universally appreciated. The solid red gold cases, with their subtly contrasting polished and brushed finishes, topped with dials in exclusive colors, are designed for connoisseurs and lovers of unique pieces.”

A new expansion strategy for Breitling

Beyond this festive collection, Breitling took advantage of Dubai Watch Week to unveil a major strategic ambition with the launch of its “House of Brands.” Presented by Georges Kern, this new architecture brings together two iconic names in watchmaking around Breitling : Universal Genève and Gallet. Each retains its identity, heritage, and positioning, while being part of a global vision designed to cover the entire spectrum of luxury watchmaking, from accessible to ultra-exclusive.

Already introduced at watch events in Europe and the United States, Universal Genève and Gallet were honored in Dubai. This move underscores Breitling’s desire to adopt a truly global dimension and build an ecosystem capable of engaging with customers with diverse expectations and cultures.

Gallet, whose grand return is scheduled for 2026, will join the group with a range positioned at the entry level of luxury. Produced by Breitling and distributed through its network of boutiques and carefully selected partners, Gallet aims to make Swiss craftsmanship accessible to a new generation of collectors.

Universal Genève will occupy the ultra-luxury segment, above Breitling. A benchmark brand for discerning collectors, it will draw on its exceptional heritage, notably marked by the Polerouter designed by Gérald Genta and the Compax chronographs.