Head-to-Head Comparison

Updated September 5, 2026

Breitling Navitimer 1959 Edition (18k red gold, 159 pieces) vs Rolex GMT-Master II Batman (steel, blue and black bezel, Oyster bracelet)

Breitling's chronograph meets Rolex's GMT watch

Quick Verdict

The Breitling Navitimer 1959 Edition (18k red gold, 159 pieces) ($10,000–$25,000) and Rolex GMT-Master II Batman (steel, blue and black bezel, Oyster bracelet) ($10,000–$25,000) are closely matched timepieces at similar price points. The Navitimer 1959 Edition (18k red gold, 159 pieces) emphasizes Breitling B09, hand-wound column-wheel chronograph, COSC-certified engineering while the GMT-Master II Batman (steel, blue and black bezel, Oyster bracelet) focuses on Swiss Made craftsmanship.

BreitlingNavitimer 1959 Edition (18k red gold, 159 pieces)$10,000–$25,000 Check price RolexGMT-Master II Batman (steel, blue and black bezel, Oyster bracelet)$10,000–$25,000 Check price

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Breitling

Navitimer 1959 Edition (18k red gold, 159 pieces)

$10,000–$25,000

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Rolex

GMT-Master II Batman (steel, blue and black bezel, Oyster bracelet)

$10,000–$25,000

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Specifications Compared

Feature	Breitling Navitimer 1959 Edition (18k red gold, 159 pieces)	Rolex GMT-Master II Batman (steel, blue and black bezel, Oyster bracelet)
Price	$10,000–$25,000	$10,000–$25,000
Case Size	41mm	40mm
Movement	Hand-wound chronograph, Breitling Manufacture Caliber B09 (COSC)	Automatic GMT; calibre 3186 (116710BLNR) or 3285 (126710BLNR), reference not stated
Caliber Type	Breitling B09, hand-wound column-wheel chronograph, COSC-certified	Rolex, Superlative Chronometer
Power Reserve	About 70 hours	About 48 h (3186) or 70 h (3285)
Water Resistance	30m (3 ATM)	100m (10 ATM)
Crystal	Domed sapphire	Sapphire Crystal, Cyclops
Case Material	18k red gold	Oystersteel
Origin	Swiss Made	Swiss Made

Category-by-Category Analysis

🎨

Design & Aesthetics

Edge: Draw

Breitling's design language vs Rolex's approach

The Breitling Navitimer 1959 Edition (18k red gold, 159 pieces) features a 18k red gold case at 41mm with Domed sapphire protection. The Rolex GMT-Master II Batman (steel, blue and black bezel, Oyster bracelet) offers Oystersteel construction at 40mm with Sapphire Crystal, Cyclops. Both represent their brand's distinct design philosophy and heritage.

⚙️

Movement & Performance

Edge: Breitling

Hand-wound chronograph, Breitling Manufacture Caliber B09 (COSC) vs Automatic GMT; calibre 3186 (116710BLNR) or 3285 (126710BLNR), reference not stated

The Navitimer 1959 Edition (18k red gold, 159 pieces) runs the Hand-wound chronograph, Breitling Manufacture Caliber B09 (COSC) (Breitling B09, hand-wound column-wheel chronograph, COSC-certified, About 70 hours power reserve) at standard frequency. The GMT-Master II Batman (steel, blue and black bezel, Oyster bracelet) uses the Automatic GMT; calibre 3186 (116710BLNR) or 3285 (126710BLNR), reference not stated (Rolex, Superlative Chronometer, About 48 h (3186) or 70 h (3285) reserve) at standard. The Navitimer 1959 Edition (18k red gold, 159 pieces) edges ahead on power reserve.

📏

Wearability & Fit

Edge: Rolex

41mm vs 40mm — different wrist presence

At 41mm, the Navitimer 1959 Edition (18k red gold, 159 pieces) has a bolder wrist presence compared to the GMT-Master II Batman (steel, blue and black bezel, Oyster bracelet) at 40mm. Water resistance differs: 30m (3 ATM) vs 100m (10 ATM).

💰

Value & Cost of Ownership

Edge: Draw

Same tier — different value propositions

The Breitling Navitimer 1959 Edition (18k red gold, 159 pieces) sits at $10,000–$25,000 and the Rolex GMT-Master II Batman (steel, blue and black bezel, Oyster bracelet) at $10,000–$25,000. On the specs that outlast any price: the Navitimer 1959 Edition (18k red gold, 159 pieces) uses Domed sapphire with About 70 hours, against Sapphire Crystal, Cyclops and About 48 h (3186) or 70 h (3285) on the GMT-Master II Batman (steel, blue and black bezel, Oyster bracelet). Service intervals are typically 5-7 years for both.

💧

Water Resistance

Edge: Rolex

30m (3 ATM) vs 100m (10 ATM)

The Navitimer 1959 Edition (18k red gold, 159 pieces) is rated to 30m (3 ATM) while the GMT-Master II Batman (steel, blue and black bezel, Oyster bracelet) handles 100m (10 ATM). The GMT-Master II Batman (steel, blue and black bezel, Oyster bracelet) offers superior water resistance.

Our Verdict

Breitling

Navitimer 1959 Edition (18k red gold, 159 pieces)

Choose the Breitling Navitimer 1959 Edition (18k red gold, 159 pieces) if you prioritize Breitling B09, hand-wound column-wheel chronograph, COSC-certified engineering, Swiss Made craftsmanship, and 30m (3 ATM) water resistance. At $10,000–$25,000, it delivers Hand-wound chronograph, Breitling Manufacture Caliber B09 (COSC) with About 70 hours power reserve.

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Rolex

GMT-Master II Batman (steel, blue and black bezel, Oyster bracelet)

Choose the Rolex GMT-Master II Batman (steel, blue and black bezel, Oyster bracelet) if you value Rolex, Superlative Chronometer technology, Swiss Made heritage, and 40mm proportions. At $10,000–$25,000, the Automatic GMT; calibre 3186 (116710BLNR) or 3285 (126710BLNR), reference not stated with About 48 h (3186) or 70 h (3285) power reserve makes it a compelling choice.

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The Bottom Line

The Breitling Navitimer 1959 Edition (18k red gold, 159 pieces) and Rolex GMT-Master II Batman (steel, blue and black bezel, Oyster bracelet) represent two distinct approaches to fine watchmaking — the Breitling bringing Swiss Made tradition while Rolex delivers Swiss Made engineering.

Frequently Asked Questions

For water, the Rolex GMT-Master II Batman (steel, blue and black bezel, Oyster bracelet) is rated 100 m against 30 m, which is the difference between swimming and diving on one side and splashes on the other. Neither is better at everything; the spec table above shows movement, case size, water resistance and crystal side by side so you can weigh what matters to you. We do not test units, so this is the makers' data, not a bench result.

Both are priced similarly, making this a question of preference rather than value. The Navitimer 1959 Edition (18k red gold, 159 pieces) emphasizes Breitling B09, hand-wound column-wheel chronograph, COSC-certified technology while the GMT-Master II Batman (steel, blue and black bezel, Oyster bracelet) prioritizes Rolex, Superlative Chronometer precision.

Both are suitable for daily wear. The Navitimer 1959 Edition (18k red gold, 159 pieces) at 41mm with 30m (3 ATM) water resistance handles everyday situations. The GMT-Master II Batman (steel, blue and black bezel, Oyster bracelet) at 40mm with 100m (10 ATM) is similarly capable. The Navitimer 1959 Edition (18k red gold, 159 pieces) uses Domed sapphire while the GMT-Master II Batman (steel, blue and black bezel, Oyster bracelet) uses Sapphire Crystal, Cyclops.

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How This Page Was Made

Our comparisons are generated from a hand-maintained specification database and reviewed under our editorial standards. We use AI tools to assemble pages from that data. We don’t invent specs: every number traces back to the database, and when we correct an entry, the fix is applied site-wide. As an Amazon Associate, The Horologist earns from qualifying purchases.