Breitling Navitimer B01 vs Longines HydroConquest Automatic
Breitling's chronograph meets Longines's diver
Quick Verdict
The Longines HydroConquest Automatic (~$2,000) delivers ETA-Based Automatic with Silicon Balance Spring technology at $8,900 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.
Transparency — We earn a small commission on purchases made through our Amazon links. This doesn't affect our editorial independence.
Specifications Compared
| Feature | Breitling Navitimer B01 | Longines HydroConquest Automatic |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$10,900 | ~$2,000 |
| Case Size | 43mm | 41mm |
| Movement | Automatic Breitling 01 (Manufacture) | Automatic L888.5 |
| Caliber Type | In-House Automatic Chronograph Manufacture | ETA-Based Automatic with Silicon Balance Spring |
| Power Reserve | 70 Hours | 72 Hours |
| Water Resistance | 30m (3 ATM) | 300m (30 ATM) |
| Crystal | Cambered Sapphire | Sapphire with Anti-Reflective Coating |
| Case Material | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel |
| Origin | Swiss Made | Swiss Made |
Category-by-Category Analysis
Design & Aesthetics
Breitling's design language vs Longines's approach
Movement & Performance
Automatic Breitling 01 (Manufacture) vs Automatic L888.5
Wearability & Fit
43mm vs 41mm — different wrist presence
Value & Cost of Ownership
Longines is $8,900 more affordable
Water Resistance
30m (3 ATM) vs 300m (30 ATM)
Materials Face-Off
| Component | Breitling Navitimer B01 | Longines HydroConquest Automatic |
|---|---|---|
| Case alloy | Stainless steel 316L — the industry-standard mid-range Swiss spec. | Zirconium oxide (ZrO₂) with engraved and paint-filled 60-minute dive scale Mohs 8.5 |
| 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 with anti-reflective coating on the underside Mohs 9 |
| Lume specification | Super-LumiNova grade C1 or BGW9 (variant-dependent). Glow duration ~6 hours after full charge. | Si hairspring in the L888.5 caliber — introduced 2020 across the HydroConquest line |
| Bracelet alloy | Stainless steel 316L matching the case. | Brushed flanks with polished bevel edges — mixed finishing for visual depth |
| Super-LumiNova | — | Applied to sword-style hands and all hour indices |
Cost of Ownership Compared
The Longines HydroConquest Automatic saves you $7,879 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 Longines HydroConquest Automatic if…
- Best-in-class 72-hour power reserve at sub-$2,000
- Silicon hairspring antimagnetic protection at an accessible price
- Swiss heritage enthusiasts — Longines' 1832 founding and Olympic/aviation history
- Legitimate 300m dive capability with everyday wearability
- Value seekers — at grey-market $1,350 the spec-per-dollar is nearly unbeatable
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.
Longines HydroConquest Automatic
- ETA-base movement at $1,750 — excellent but not "in-house" in the purist sense
- 21mm lug width — awkward for aftermarket straps (most are 20mm or 22mm)
- 25,200 vph (3.5 Hz) — seconds hand sweep is less smooth than 28,800 vph competitors
- Not COSC-certified — no chronometer guarantee (unlike Tudor or Omega at similar prices)
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 AmazonLongines
HydroConquest Automatic
Choose the Longines HydroConquest Automatic if you value ETA-Based Automatic with Silicon Balance Spring technology, Swiss Made heritage, and 41mm proportions. At ~$2,000, the Automatic L888.5 with 72 Hours power reserve makes it a compelling choice.
Check Price on AmazonThe Bottom Line
The Breitling Navitimer B01 and Longines HydroConquest Automatic represent two distinct approaches to fine watchmaking — the Breitling bringing Swiss Made tradition while Longines delivers Swiss Made engineering.