BREITLING Old Navitimer II Panda Dial 41.5mm Steel case, Chronograph Automatic Ref: A13019

Its story begins not in the world of fashion, but in aviation — in an era when a pilot’s wristwatch could not simply be expected to tell the time. It had to be capable of performing calculations as well.

Today, the distinctive “Panda” dial of the A13019 is one of the most interesting combinations for collectors of vintage Breitling watches: black chronograph sub-dials on a silver-colored background, the classic Navitimer rotating slide-rule bezel, and a steel case measuring approximately 41–41.5 mm. But the main value of this watch is not only its appearance — what makes it interesting is the historical moment in which it was born.

The history of the Navitimer began in 1952, when Willy Breitling decided to create a completely new type of chronograph for pilots.

According to Breitling’s official history, the goal was to enable the watch to perform aviation calculations such as average speed, distance traveled, fuel consumption, and rate of climb or descent.

For this purpose, Breitling used the existing Chronomat logarithmic slide rule and transferred it to a rotating bezel. The result was what we now recognize as the Navitimer’s most distinctive feature — rings of numbers that move relative to one another.

Two years later, in 1954, the Navitimer became the official watch of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association — AOPA.

NAVIgation + TIMER = NAVITIMER

According to Breitling, the watch was initially created for AOPA members and was not available to the general public. Following its popularity, the Navitimer was added to the brand’s catalog and became one of the longest-produced and most recognizable watches.

This is where the specific Ref. A13019 becomes particularly interesting.

In the archives of Breitling enthusiasts, the A13019 is associated with the Old Navitimer I and is also found under Ref. 81610. The production period of this generation is generally cited as approximately 1990–1993.

This was a period when the Navitimer’s design was still very close to its classic, old-school roots, while already entering the era of modern automatic chronographs.

That is precisely why the A13019 is interesting as a transitional generation.

On the one hand, it still has the character of the old Navitimer — a complex dial, mechanical slide rule, classic steel case, and a strong vintage identity.

On the other hand, it already houses an automatic chronograph movement.

One of the most appealing versions of the A13019 is the so-called Panda dial.

That is why the A13019 Panda is often considered more interesting to collectors today than the standard black-dial versions. Several examples currently found on the modern market also describe the Panda version as a relatively rare and sought-after configuration.

If you are looking at a Navitimer for the first time, the numerous numbers on the bezel may seem like nothing more than decoration.

In reality, this is precisely the watch’s main historical function.

The Navitimer’s circular slide rule allows the user to perform various numerical calculations — such as multiplication and division, while in historical aviation use it enabled broader calculations, including speed, distance, and fuel consumption.

That is why the Navitimer’s bezel is not simply a design element, but essentially a mechanical flight computer worn on the wrist.

Aviation + mechanical chronograph + circular slide rule + 1990s vintage design + Panda dial.

The history of the Navitimer began in 1952 as a pilot’s instrument. Decades later, the A13019 is already part of the legacy that made the Navitimer one of the most recognizable chronographs in the world of watches.