Breitling Navitimer B01 vs Junghans Form A Automatic
Breitling's chronograph meets Junghans's dress watch
Quick Verdict
The Junghans Form A Automatic (~$1,255) delivers Swiss ETA Base, German-Finished technology at $9,645 less than the Breitling Navitimer B01 (~$10,900). The Navitimer B01 justifies its premium with Swiss Made heritage and Automatic Breitling 01 (Manufacture). Both represent excellent choices in the luxury watch category.
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Specifications Compared
| Feature | Breitling Navitimer B01 | Junghans Form A Automatic |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$10,900 | ~$1,255 |
| Case Size | 43mm | 39.3mm |
| Movement | Automatic Breitling 01 (Manufacture) | Automatic J800.2 (ETA 2824-2) |
| Caliber Type | In-House Automatic Chronograph Manufacture | Swiss ETA Base, German-Finished |
| Power Reserve | 70 Hours | 38 Hours |
| Water Resistance | 30m (3 ATM) | 50m (5 ATM) |
| Crystal | Cambered Sapphire | Flat Sapphire with Anti-Reflective Coating |
| Case Material | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel |
| Origin | Swiss Made | Made in Germany |
Category-by-Category Analysis
Design & Aesthetics
Breitling's design language vs Junghans's approach
Movement & Performance
Automatic Breitling 01 (Manufacture) vs Automatic J800.2 (ETA 2824-2)
Wearability & Fit
43mm vs 39.3mm — different wrist presence
Value & Cost of Ownership
Junghans is $9,645 more affordable
Water Resistance
30m (3 ATM) vs 50m (5 ATM)
Materials Face-Off
| Component | Breitling Navitimer B01 | Junghans Form A Automatic |
|---|---|---|
| Case alloy | Stainless steel 316L — the industry-standard mid-range Swiss spec. | 316L stainless steel — standard grade for mid-range watchmaking. Hypoallergenic, corrosion-resistant. |
| Sapphire crystal | Synthetic corundum (Al₂O₃), grown via the Verneuil process for crystal blanks then formed into the cambered (domed) shape. Mohs hardness 9. Anti-refle Mohs 9 | Flat sapphire (Mohs 9) with anti-reflective coating on the underside — provides excellent clarity with minimal internal glare. Note — Unlike the Max Mohs 9 |
| Lume specification | Super-LumiNova grade C1 or BGW9 (variant-dependent). Glow duration ~6 hours after full charge. | Tinted mineral glass (smoke/grey tint) — provides partial view of the movement while maintaining a subtle aesthetic. |
| Bracelet alloy | Stainless steel 316L matching the case. | Brass-base dial with matte silver lacquer finish, embossed (stamped) square minute track producing three-dimensional relief. |
| Strap | — | Black calfskin leather with polished stainless steel pin buckle. Leather is adequate quality but not luxury-grade. |
Cost of Ownership Compared
The Junghans Form A Automatic saves you $8,251 over 5 years of ownership
Who Should Pick Which
Pick the Breitling Navitimer B01 if…
- Buyers wanting an in-house movement at the $9K price point
- Accuracy-minded buyers — COSC chronometer certification guarantees precision
- Weekend warriors — 70-hour power reserve means it survives two days off the wrist
- Those who prioritize scratch resistance — sapphire crystal
- Chronograph enthusiasts looking for a proven timing instrument
Pick the Junghans Form A Automatic if…
- Enthusiasts wanting proven Swiss/Japanese quality in the $1,000–$2,000 sweet spot
- Those who prioritize scratch resistance — sapphire crystal
- Dress watch seekers who want understated elegance
Breitling Navitimer B01
- 30m water resistance is the headline weakness. At nearly $9,000 retail this is the most-criticised spec. The Navitimer is an aviation tool, not a water watch.
- Slide rule learning curve. Most owners never actually use the slide rule for in-flight calculation. Knowing how to operate it is a horological badge-of-honour, not a daily-driver feature.
- Dial visual density. The Navitimer dial is the watch's character, but it is also the most cluttered face in any luxury watch under $10k. People who want a clean dial will not love this watch.
- 43mm wears large. The 43mm case + 22mm lug width + cambered crystal pushes the visual presence above the spec. Try before you buy if you're under 6.75" wrist.
Junghans Form A Automatic
- ETA 2824-2 at $1,450 — fair value but not prestige movement. NOMOS offers in-house at $1,680.
- 38-hour power reserve — leaves unworn for a weekend and it's stopped by Monday
- No lume / dress-only — not versatile for active or outdoor use
- Limited US distribution — difficult to try on in person outside major cities
Our Verdict
Breitling
Navitimer B01
Choose the Breitling Navitimer B01 if you prioritize In-House Automatic Chronograph Manufacture engineering, Swiss Made craftsmanship, and 30m (3 ATM) water resistance. At ~$10,900, it delivers Automatic Breitling 01 (Manufacture) with 70 Hours power reserve.
Check Price on AmazonJunghans
Form A Automatic
Choose the Junghans Form A Automatic if you value Swiss ETA Base, German-Finished technology, Made in Germany heritage, and 39.3mm proportions. At ~$1,255, the Automatic J800.2 (ETA 2824-2) with 38 Hours power reserve makes it a compelling choice.
Check Price on AmazonThe Bottom Line
The Breitling Navitimer B01 and Junghans Form A Automatic represent two distinct approaches to fine watchmaking — the Breitling bringing Swiss Made tradition while Junghans delivers Made in Germany engineering.