To mark the centenary of Miles Davis’s birth, Breitling introduces the new Navitimer B09 Chronograph 41 Tribute to Miles Davis, a limited edition of 500 pieces inspired by the iconic reference 806 Mk5 worn by the jazz legend during the 1960s. This release pairs vintage aesthetics with the accuracy of a hand-wound manufacture movement, honoring a figure who elevated a cockpit navigation tool into a genuine symbol of style and urban culture.
The Birth of Cool: From the Cockpit to the Stage
Miles Davis did not merely revolutionize music through restraint, space, and the use of silence in jazz; he also established a singular personal elegance. When he selected the Breitling Navitimer ref. 806 Mk5, he transitioned a professional instrument designed for aircraft pilots into a statement of individuality. The new timepiece faithfully recreates the monochromatic reverse panda dial, vintage-inspired cream Super-LumiNova patina, and the historic “Twin Jet” logo that characterized civilian versions of the era.
Its stainless steel case retains the 41 mm diameter and 13 mm thickness of the historical reference. Breitling presents two distinct mounting options: a hand-stained brown calfskin strap featuring a subtle gradient finish, or the iconic stainless steel Air Racer mesh-style bracelet with ventilation cutouts—a 1960s design popularized by Serge Gainsbourg and refined with articulated links near the clasp for enhanced ergonomic comfort.
🎺 Lifetime Club Member Set
Collector’s Case & Exclusive Membership
Alongside the 500-piece production run, Breitling presents a collector’s box limited to just 50 numbered units paying homage to the album Kind of Blue. Styled like a traditional trumpet case, it houses three timepieces (steel, 18k yellow gold, and platinum), a miniature replica of Davis’s red trumpet, and lifetime access to the Breitling Social Club in Williamsburg, New York.
Calibre B09: Hand-Wound Mechanical Purism
Powering the watch is the manufacture Breitling Calibre B09, a hand-wound mechanical movement backed by COSC chronometer certification. Operating at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz) with approximately 70 hours of power reserve, this column-wheel chronograph with a vertical clutch recalls technical architecture from the era preceding automatic chronographs. The sapphire exhibition caseback exposes the movement’s 244 components framed by “One of 500” and “Miles Davis Centennial” special engravings.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Faithful historical recreation of the reference 806 Mk5 with period-correct “Twin Jet” logo and faux-radium Super-LumiNova.
- Hand-wound manufacture Calibre B09 with 70-hour power reserve and COSC chronometer certification.
- Availability of the distinctive perforated Air Racer bracelet re-engineered for improved ergonomics.
Cons:
- Water resistance limited to 3 bar (30 meters), consistent with vintage design constraints.
- Strictly limited edition of 500 pieces worldwide.
Technical Specifications: Breitling Navitimer B09 Chronograph 41 Tribute to Miles Davis
| Specification | Technical Detail |
|---|---|
| Reference | AB09501A1B1X1 (Strap) / AB09501A1B1A1 (Air Racer Bracelet) |
| Case / Dimensions | Stainless steel: 41.0 mm (diameter) × 13.0 mm (thickness) × 47.09 mm (lug-to-lug) |
| Crystal / Caseback | Cambered sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both sides; screwed sapphire exhibition caseback with engraving |
| Dial | Black reverse panda with white sub-dials and slide rule inner bezel; faux-radium Super-LumiNova |
| Movement | Manufacture Breitling Calibre B09 hand-wound chronograph (244 components, column wheel) |
| Frequency / Power Reserve | 28,800 vph (4 Hz) / Approx. 70 hours |
| Certification | COSC-certified chronometer |
| Bezel | Bidirectional with circular slide rule |
| Water Resistance | Up to 3 bar (30 meters) |
| Strap / Bracelet | Brown gradient calfskin strap or stainless steel Air Racer bracelet |
| Limited Edition | 500 numbered pieces |
