The Breitling Navitimer, a horological icon synonymous with aviation history and precision, remains a coveted timepiece for enthusiasts worldwide. Its complex, yet beautiful, face, featuring the iconic circular slide rule, is a testament to its functionality and heritage. However, owning a Navitimer, particularly one equipped with the older caliber 23 movement, presents a unique challenge: adjusting the date and day. This article delves into the intricacies of setting the time and date on a Breitling Navitimer, focusing on the experience of a recent owner and exploring the nuances of the caliber 23 movement, its limitations, and the broader context of the Navitimer's evolution and market position.
My Navitimer Journey: The Annoyances of the Caliber 23
I recently joined the prestigious club of Navitimer owners, acquiring a model featuring the Breitling caliber 23 movement. While the watch itself is a stunning piece of craftsmanship, the process of setting the date and day has proven to be more challenging than anticipated. The absence of a quick-set date function, a feature commonplace in many modern watches, is the primary source of my frustration. This means that to advance the date, I must painstakingly advance the hour hand through 24 hours for each day I need to adjust. This is particularly inconvenient when I don't wear the watch daily, leading to a significant time investment simply to correct the date. This experience underscores a critical point often overlooked when considering a vintage or older Navitimer model: the practicality of daily use hinges heavily on the movement’s capabilities.
This lack of a quick-set date mechanism is not unique to my watch. Many older Breitling Navitimers, including those with the caliber 23, share this characteristic. Understanding this limitation is crucial before purchasing a vintage or pre-owned model. The convenience factor is significantly reduced compared to modern watches, particularly for those who prefer a "set it and forget it" approach to timekeeping. This aspect of the ownership experience is often underrepresented in reviews and online forums, leading to potential buyer's remorse for those unprepared for the manual date-setting process.
Breitling Navitimer Time Change: A Step-by-Step Guide (Caliber 23)
The process of setting the time on a Breitling Navitimer with the caliber 23 is straightforward, but the date adjustment adds complexity.
1. Crown Manipulation: The crown, located at the right side of the case, is used to adjust both the time and date. Pulling the crown out to the first position allows for time adjustment. Rotating the crown clockwise advances the time, while counter-clockwise moves it backward.
2. Time Setting: Once the correct time is set, push the crown back to its original position.
3. Date Adjustment (The Tedious Part): This is where the limitations of the caliber 23 become apparent. To advance the date, you must carefully rotate the hour hand through a full 24-hour cycle. Each rotation advances the date by one day. This process must be repeated for each day requiring adjustment. There is no shortcut. To set the day of the week, the same process applies. The day will automatically update as the date is correctly adjusted.
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