Breitling has chosen the legendary Navitimer to

demonstrate its remarkable expertise in mechanical watchmaking, with the launch

of its very first split-seconds chronograph. Widely acknowledged as one of the

most sophisticated complications, a split-seconds chronograph has two central

second of the chronograph hands, one above the other. One of these hands can be stopped to measure an

intermediate time then made to catch up with the other as it continues to sweep

the dial. This is a particularly energy-hungry mechanism, prompting Breitling

to develop two patented innovations for stopping the split-seconds hand

precisely with no detrimental effect on chronometric performance. Design-wise,

the Navitimer Rattrapante has plenty to offer, including a comfortably large

(45 mm) steel case topped with a rotating bezel with circular slide rule, and a

bronze-coloured dial contrasting with cream-coloured counters. A decidedly

vintage look for this chronograph which since 1952 has been the

"instrument for professionals" when conquering the sky.