The Basic Structure of a Chronograph Watch
1. Bezel
The rotating bezel for operating the rotary slide rule has fine notches to prevent slipping, allowing for secure operation even with gloved hands.
2. Chronograph second hand
The red painted hand extending from the central axis is the chronograph seconds hand, and when the chronograph is running, its contrast with the black dial clearly indicates that time is being measured.
3. Rotating slide rule
The rotary slide rule installed in this model incorporates the functions of the E-6B navigation calculator developed in the United States. It can calculate speed and estimated time of arrival.
4. Luminous hour and minute hands
The hour and minute hands are coated with "Super-LumiNova," a non-tritium material that absorbs external light and continues to glow for a long time in the dark. This is a non-radioactive material developed by Nemoto Specialty Science Co., Ltd. in Japan.
5. Small seconds
Located at the 9 o'clock position on the dial is the small seconds hand. It continues to run even when the chronograph is not in operation, indicating that the watch is still alive.
6. Anti-reflective coated glass
This process creates a thin film on the glass surface using methods such as vacuum deposition, reducing light reflection and ensuring visibility. The photo emphasizes the presence of the glass, but in reality it does not look this cloudy.
7. Black dial
The black dial makes the hands and indexes stand out. White subdials that stand out against a black dial began appearing in the 1960s, but in the 1950s, they were only available in black.
8. Case pack
This refers to the back of the Navitimer, which has a Celsius (℃) conversion chart engraved on it. Breitling has not neglected even the back of the watch, making it functional.
9. 12-hour counter
The 12-hour counter is located at the 6 o'clock position on the dial. The short indices represent 30 minutes, and the long indices represent 1 hour. The 30-minute counter advances one indices each time it makes one revolution.
10. 30-minute counter
The 30-minute counter is located at the 3 o'clock position on the dial. The short indices represent 1 minute, and the long indices represent 5 minutes. The chronograph second hand advances one increment each time it makes one revolution.
11. Luminous index
The three-dimensional bar index is made of metal parts. The outer edge is coated with a highly luminous material, ensuring visibility even in poorly lit areas.
12. Date display
The date window is between the 4 and 5 o'clock indexes. In previous models, the date was displayed with black numbers on a white background, but since 2011, it has been displayed with white numbers on a black background.
13. Chronograph start and stop button/reset button
On the Navitimer, the chronograph start and stop button is located above the crown (12 o'clock side), and the reset button is located below (6 o'clock side).
