Breitling Navitimer B01 vs Junghans Form A Automatic
Breitling's chronograph meets Junghans's dress watch
Quick Verdict
The Junghans Form A Automatic ($1,000–$1,500) delivers Swiss ETA Base, German-Finished technology in the tier below the Breitling Navitimer B01 ($10,000–$25,000). The Form A Automatic measures 39.3mm and is rated 50m (5 ATM). 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 | $10,000–$25,000 | $1,000–$1,500 |
| 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
The Breitling Navitimer B01 features a Stainless Steel case at 43mm with Cambered Sapphire protection. The Junghans Form A Automatic offers Stainless Steel construction at 39.3mm with Flat Sapphire with Anti-Reflective Coating. Both represent their brand's distinct design philosophy and heritage.
Movement & Performance
Automatic Breitling 01 (Manufacture) vs Automatic J800.2 (ETA 2824-2)
The Navitimer B01 runs the Automatic Breitling 01 (Manufacture) (In-House Automatic Chronograph Manufacture, 70 Hours power reserve) at 28,800 vph (4 Hz) frequency. The Form A Automatic uses the Automatic J800.2 (ETA 2824-2) (Swiss ETA Base, German-Finished, 38 Hours reserve) at 28,800 vph (4 Hz). The Navitimer B01 edges ahead on power reserve.
Wearability & Fit
43mm vs 39.3mm — different wrist presence
At 43mm, the Navitimer B01 has a bolder wrist presence compared to the Form A Automatic at 39.3mm. Water resistance differs: 30m (3 ATM) vs 50m (5 ATM).
Value & Cost of Ownership
Junghans sits in the lower tier
The Breitling Navitimer B01 sits at $10,000–$25,000 and the Junghans Form A Automatic at $1,000–$1,500. On the specs that outlast any price: the Navitimer B01 uses Cambered Sapphire with 70 Hours, against Flat Sapphire with Anti-Reflective Coating and 38 Hours on the Form A Automatic. Service intervals are typically 5-7 years for both.
Water Resistance
30m (3 ATM) vs 50m (5 ATM)
The Navitimer B01 is rated to 30m (3 ATM) while the Form A Automatic handles 50m (5 ATM). The Form A Automatic offers superior water resistance.
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 on the hands and markers. Grade and glow duration are not published by the manufacturer for this reference, so neither is claimed here. | 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 the upper end of the $5,000–$10,000 band 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 a $1,000–$1,500 band price — fair value but not prestige movement. NOMOS offers in-house for only slightly more.
- 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 $10,000–$25,000, 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 $1,000–$1,500, 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.