Breitling Navitimer B01 vs Oris Aquis Date Calibre 400
Breitling's chronograph meets Oris's diver
Quick Verdict
The Oris Aquis Date Calibre 400 (~$2,595) delivers Oris In-House Manufacture technology at $8,305 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 | Oris Aquis Date Calibre 400 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$10,900 | ~$2,595 |
| Case Size | 43mm | 41.5mm |
| Movement | Automatic Breitling 01 (Manufacture) | Automatic Calibre 400 |
| Caliber Type | In-House Automatic Chronograph Manufacture | Oris In-House Manufacture |
| Power Reserve | 70 Hours | 120 Hours (5 Days) |
| Water Resistance | 30m (3 ATM) | 300m (30 ATM) |
| Crystal | Cambered Sapphire | Sapphire Crystal 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 Oris's approach
Movement & Performance
Automatic Breitling 01 (Manufacture) vs Automatic Calibre 400
Wearability & Fit
43mm vs 41.5mm — different wrist presence
Value & Cost of Ownership
Oris is $8,305 more affordable
Water Resistance
30m (3 ATM) vs 300m (30 ATM)
Materials Face-Off
| Component | Breitling Navitimer B01 | Oris Aquis Date Calibre 400 |
|---|---|---|
| Case alloy | Stainless steel 316L — the industry-standard mid-range Swiss spec. | Oris Caliber 733 |
| 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 | Domed sapphire with anti-reflective coating on inside |
| 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. | Unidirectional rotating, scratch-resistant ceramic insert with 60-min dive scale and lume pip |
Cost of Ownership Compared
The Oris Aquis Date Calibre 400 saves you $7,287 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 Oris Aquis Date Calibre 400 if…
- Dive watch enthusiasts — 300m water resistance is proper dive spec
- Those who prioritize scratch resistance — sapphire crystal
- Dive watch collectors who appreciate proper ISO-rated tool watches
- Buyers who prefer a commanding wrist presence — 43mm 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.
Oris Aquis Date Calibre 400
- Sellita base movement at $2,300 — fair value but not in-house prestige (Caliber 400 variants resolve).
- 43.5mm large for smaller wrists (smaller variants available).
- Proprietary endlinks limit strap options.
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 AmazonOris
Aquis Date Calibre 400
Choose the Oris Aquis Date Calibre 400 if you value Oris In-House Manufacture technology, Swiss Made heritage, and 41.5mm proportions. At ~$2,595, the Automatic Calibre 400 with 120 Hours (5 Days) power reserve makes it a compelling choice.
Check Price on AmazonThe Bottom Line
The Breitling Navitimer B01 and Oris Aquis Date Calibre 400 represent two distinct approaches to fine watchmaking — the Breitling bringing Swiss Made tradition while Oris delivers Swiss Made engineering.