Breitling Navitimer A23322: An Unexpected Passion

nilomis · 2014-02-24T15:56:57Z

Discover the Breitling Navitimer A23322: a collector's journey from skepticism to passion. Explore its accuracy, Valjoux 7753 movement, and the debate over its date function.

nilomis

WPS member · Horological Meandering forum

12 replies10564 views4 photos

Nilomis shares a deeply personal account of his unexpected acquisition of a Breitling Navitimer A23322, a watch he initially dismissed but quickly fell in love with. His narrative explores the often-illogical nature of watch collecting, where passion can override technical specifications and perceived horological prestige. This post resonates with collectors who understand that true enjoyment often comes from unexpected places.

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Team,

Yes, I know:

1) The ETA Valjoux 7753 is far from being a horological masterpiece

2) A common Breitling Navitimer

3) (To Nicolas) It has a date at 4:30

4) Worst! The Breitling Caliber B23 don't have a quick set date(You need to bounce between 6PM to 1AM several times to advance several days!)

But ...

I'm enjoying every second that I have it on my wrist.

Here is the story:

I'm looking for an Omega Co Axial (old style) that reminds the first ones produced by Omega. This wish started when I finished reading George Daniels biography "All in Good Time: Reflections of a Watchmaker" (I strongly recommend).

One DeVille with power reserve pops up and I got it for a song (let's say more than one song).

Cool, I never had a watch with power reserve and that DeVille was somehow representative of the early Co-Axial days and it was in fine shape and it is the old 28800 BPH.

Then I notice that the power reserve touches my OCD and wearing the watch was annoying to me because I checked the power reserve over and over.

Yesterday the opportunity of a trade and, after considering that this was not a watch that I was looking but I need to get rid of the DeVille and its disturbing power reserve indicator. Done. Going home, I was thinking "What I go to do with this Navitimer?".

Got home, swapped the original strap (did I told that I don't like deployment buckles) and set the watch and put it on my wrist ....

Immediately I enter a watch nirvana. Heaven!!!

The big question is why I'm so attracted to this watch?

Last picture using Blomman's style (Blomman's patent was rejected because of prior art -- The hand and the sky was invented early!!)

Funny thing this hobby. No matter how much knowledge we accumulate, passion comes first.

One interesting side effect: I set the watch yesterday and today, after 32 hours, the watch is deadly accurate to the same second!

Thanks for seeing and please, tell your story of illogical acquisitions.

To end the story, I'm still looking for a "vintage" Omega Co-Axial (without power reserve, please).

Cheers,

Nilo

About the Breitling Avenger II Ref. A23322

The Breitling Navitimer reference A23322 is a chronograph model from the Navitimer collection, distinguished by its slide rule bezel and automatic movement. This particular reference features a classic dial configuration and is presented in a stainless steel case, aligning with the traditional aesthetic of the series while offering modern manufacturing standards. It represents a period in the Navitimer's evolution that maintained core design principles.

This reference is powered by the Breitling Caliber B13, an automatic chronograph movement providing a power reserve of approximately 42 hours. The watch is housed in a 43 mm stainless steel case, fitted with a sapphire crystal. It offers a water resistance of 30 meters. The case design incorporates the characteristic bidirectional rotating slide rule bezel.

This Navitimer variant appeals to collectors seeking a robust and functional chronograph with a strong historical lineage within the brand's offerings. Its consistent design language and mechanical movement position it as a representative example of the Navitimer line during its production years. Variants typically involved different dial colors and strap options.

Specifications

Caliber: B13

Case: Stainless steel

Diameter: 43 mm

Dial: Black

Water Resist.: 300m

Crystal: Sapphire

Key Points from the Discussion

The Breitling Navitimer A23322, despite its ETA Valjoux 7753 movement and lack of a quick-set date, is praised for its fantastic quality and deadly accuracy, often exceeding expectations.
The absence of a quick-set date function on the Breitling Caliber B23 (based on the 7753) is a common complaint, especially since the standard 7753 movement typically includes a convenient push-date setting at 10 o'clock.
Many collectors agree that passion and personal enjoyment are paramount in the subjective hobby of watch collecting, often trumping rational considerations or technical specifications.
The Navitimer is widely considered a horological classic, with its modern iterations being particularly well-regarded by collectors.
A long-term owner of a Breitling Navitimer A13020 expresses frustration that the Navitimer's rich history and significance are sometimes overlooked compared to other watches with simpler movements.
The author's experience highlights how an initial aversion to a watch (like an Omega Co-Axial with a power reserve that triggered OCD) can lead to an unexpected, joyful acquisition.

The Discussion

flamenco

Feb 24, 2014

Same situation

Am in the exact situation. And for the same reasons, guess we all are, from pulling the trigger. Likewise, never had a passion for vintage. IMO, one of the better modern iteration of an icon. Hell! I even considered a destro version of the Navitimer, which had a unique factor. Wonder if it will be a keeper in my collection (hate having to sell later in). Guess the only way to find out is to .... Love it !

nilomis

Feb 24, 2014

I'm glad to learn that I'm not the only one ...

Let's see if more Purists dare to "confess'. Cheers, Nilo

secretlife

Feb 24, 2014

Passion!

Yes, we should always let passion be the decider! Passion trumps all other "reasons", because mechanical timepieces are not all that "rational" to begin with (",) I don't really have a similar story but made a (for me) relatively large bet on a DB27 that I wasn't totally sure about and haven't looked back since. Oh, I changed the strap too!

nilomis

Feb 25, 2014

Correct ...

We deal with a very subjective hobby and passion and personal enjoyment is the name of the game. Cheers, Nilo

Madhatter

Feb 24, 2014

I too have been bitten

I've had A13020 for 20 years and love it. I can never, for the life of me, understand how a certain big watch with a pedestrian Unitas pocket watch movement gets it's own page but a watch with this rich history is neglected. Oh well!

nilomis

Feb 25, 2014

The A13020 is a Old Navitimer?

In this case the movement should be a Valjoux 7750. Does it matter? No. Enjoy, Nilo