Breitling Navitimer B01 vs Bulova Lunar Pilot Chronograph
Two chronographs compared — ~$10,900 vs ~$556
Quick Verdict
The Bulova Lunar Pilot Chronograph (~$556) delivers High-Performance Quartz technology at $10,344 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 chronograph category.
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Specifications Compared
| Feature | Breitling Navitimer B01 | Bulova Lunar Pilot Chronograph |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$10,900 | ~$556 |
| Case Size | 43mm | 45mm |
| Movement | Automatic Breitling 01 (Manufacture) | High-Performance 262kHz Quartz |
| Caliber Type | In-House Automatic Chronograph Manufacture | High-Performance Quartz |
| Power Reserve | 70 Hours | N/A (Quartz) |
| Water Resistance | 30m (3 ATM) | 50m (5 ATM) |
| Crystal | Cambered Sapphire | Sapphire Crystal |
| Case Material | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel |
| Origin | Swiss Made | Made in Japan (Citizen Group) |
Category-by-Category Analysis
Design & Aesthetics
Breitling's design language vs Bulova's approach
Movement & Performance
Automatic Breitling 01 (Manufacture) vs High-Performance 262kHz Quartz
Wearability & Fit
43mm vs 45mm — different wrist presence
Value & Cost of Ownership
Bulova is $10,344 more affordable
Water Resistance
30m (3 ATM) vs 50m (5 ATM)
Materials Face-Off
| Component | Breitling Navitimer B01 | Bulova Lunar Pilot Chronograph |
|---|---|---|
| Case alloy | Stainless steel 316L — the industry-standard mid-range Swiss spec. | Bulova High Performance Quartz, 262 kHz (262,144 Hz) |
| 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 | Sapphire with anti-reflective coating |
| Lume specification | Super-LumiNova grade C1 or BGW9 (variant-dependent). Glow duration ~6 hours after full charge. | Stainless steel 316L (brushed and polished) |
| Bracelet alloy | Stainless steel 316L matching the case. | Fixed tachymeter |
Cost of Ownership Compared
The Bulova Lunar Pilot Chronograph saves you $9,458 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 Bulova Lunar Pilot Chronograph if…
- Strong value proposition under $1,000 with quality construction
- Those who prioritize scratch resistance — sapphire crystal
- Chronograph enthusiasts looking for a proven timing instrument
- Heritage enthusiasts drawn to ** Bulova's historical pedigree
- Buyers who prefer a commanding wrist presence — 45mm case
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.
Bulova Lunar Pilot Chronograph
- 45mm is large.
- Quartz won't satisfy mechanical purists.
- Bulova brand prestige is below Omega; some buyers feel the brand undersells the Apollo provenance.
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 AmazonBulova
Lunar Pilot Chronograph
Choose the Bulova Lunar Pilot Chronograph if you value High-Performance Quartz technology, Made in Japan (Citizen Group) heritage, and 45mm proportions. At ~$556, the High-Performance 262kHz Quartz with N/A (Quartz) power reserve makes it a compelling choice.
Check Price on AmazonThe Bottom Line
The Breitling Navitimer B01 and Bulova Lunar Pilot Chronograph represent two distinct approaches to the chronograph category — the Breitling bringing Swiss Made tradition while Bulova delivers Made in Japan (Citizen Group) engineering.