Forums Latest Members

Two Japan only Limited Editions - obviously different, but surprisingly similar too.

  1. arcadelt Oct 11, 2017

    Posts
    1,038
    Likes
    1,299
    Nearly everyone on this forum knows about the Japan Special - Racing Speedmaster Professional, PIC 3750.40, released in Japan as an unnumbered Limited Edition of 2004 in 2004 that is a pretty faithful re-edition of the original Type 3 Reference 145.022-69 Racing dial project from 1970. Well, like Omega, Breitling also has a long tradition of producing limited edition and special series watches, and some only for Japan too.

    One such watch is the Navitimer Mecanique, Reference A11022.1, released in Japan as a Limited Edition of 700 (400 in steel with a black dial, 200 in steel with a white dial and 100 in gold with a black dial) in the late-1990s. While I'm not sure if this is specifically meant to be a re-edition of any previous model, the black dial versions certainly have more than a passing resemblance to the early Navitimer 806 produced from the mid-1950s to early-1960s, with Arabic hour markers and black sub-dials.

    IMG_8464.JPG

    IMG_8457.JPG

    While the photos show two visually different watches, they actually have a lot in common. Both are similar in size, with the Speedmaster at 42mm excluding the crown and the Navitimer 41.5mm. They are both manual wind watches, and moreover, both have movements that are derived from the Lemania 1873. The Navitimer has an exhibition case back, which shows the movement is more like the 1861, rather than the more nicely finished 1863 used in Omega's display back models.

    I'll take some more comparison pictures in the next few days, including of the cute wooden stand the Navitimer comes with.
     
    Edited Oct 11, 2017
    McJamesT, Kali77, Lexm and 6 others like this.
  2. Lexm Oct 13, 2017

    Posts
    213
    Likes
    434
    Nice comparison, like both watch but would definately prefer the racing.
     
  3. boltman Oct 17, 2017

    Posts
    214
    Likes
    107
    more pics!
     
    McJamesT likes this.
  4. McJamesT Oct 17, 2017

    Posts
    229
    Likes
    141
    Would love to see more pictures, keep 'em coming!
     
  5. kippyk Oct 19, 2017

    Posts
    354
    Likes
    379
    I think think the racing watch would look better with a sportier band.
     
  6. Lexm Oct 19, 2017

    Posts
    213
    Likes
    434
    Agree. A nato would do the job!
     
  7. arcadelt Oct 19, 2017

    Posts
    1,038
    Likes
    1,299
    Have been considering a rally strap.
     
  8. arcadelt Oct 19, 2017

    Posts
    1,038
    Likes
    1,299
    No thanks. Spent too much time in the military for that to be an attraction for me.
     
  9. arcadelt Oct 19, 2017

    Posts
    1,038
    Likes
    1,299
    I'll try and take some more this weekend.