The slide rule is the hard part
The Navitimer carries a circular slide rule: two rings of very small numerals, one printed on the dial and one on the rotating bezel. There is more fine printing on that dial than on anything else we sell. At 10x, the numerals should hold a sharp edge and stay evenly spaced all the way round. Feathered or crowded numerals are the giveaway, and they are visible in a good photograph without a loupe.
Then turn the bezel. The genuine bidirectional action is smooth and continuous rather than clicking, and the outer ring should line up exactly with the printed inner ring at every position.
The Breitling clone models we stock
- Navitimer B01, 7 references, the chronograph with the slide rule bezel.
- Chronomat and Super Chronomat, 7 references in steel, rose gold and two-tone, with the rouleaux bracelet.
- Superocean Heritage and Avenger Hurricane, one each.
The bracelet is part of the purchase
The Chronomat uses the rouleaux bracelet, made of rounded links that are difficult to finish evenly. Look along the length of it in a photograph: the links should be uniformly rounded with no flat spots and no visible seams where they meet. A poorly made rouleaux is obvious from two feet away, which is not true of most bracelet faults.
Before it ships
Each Breitling spends 24 to 48 hours on a timegrapher. On the Navitimer we photograph the dial at high magnification specifically so the slide rule printing is verifiable, and we turn the bezel through a full rotation on video. You approve everything before dispatch. Two year warranty, in writing.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a Breitling super clone?
$850 to $1,250. That is the lowest starting price of any brand in our catalogue.
What is the hardest part of a Navitimer to get right?
The slide rule printing. It is the densest small text on any dial we sell, and it is where low-tier builds fail first.
Which Breitling is the safest buy?
A Chronomat, if you want the lower risk. It has no slide rule, so the dial is far less demanding, and the rouleaux bracelet is easy to inspect in photographs before you commit.
