It’s a clean sweep by the Navitimer for the Breitling Cinema Squad – Brad Pitt, Charlize Theron and Adam Driver. All share a taste for the Breitling pilot’s watch collection. (And blue dials.) As a means of inspiration, the distinguished actors are united in portraying the brand’s values through the medium of their craft. Here we look at the Breitling model each has chosen to wear.

A shared endeavour – the Breitling Squad Concept

Breitling has gathered a list of ambassadors ranging from athletes to artists. Not necessarily all celebrities, each is recognised as a master in their respective profession. They also share the brand’s values of action, purpose and pioneering spirit. Grouped into ‘squads’, they reinforce the concept of people brought together by a common goal.

The idea alludes to the making of the watches as well as to the brand connecting with the intended users, and ultimately sharing in their success. The formed squads cover different activities linked to the brand’s thematic worlds – air, sea and land. With the additional Cinema Squad touching on the storytelling aspect of a manufacturer such as Breitling.

Like a good film, a good wristwatch tells a story that connects people to something bigger than themselves. Movies can transport you to anywhere in reality or fantasy. Equipped to perform at high altitudes, extreme conditions or below the sea’s surface, the right wristwatch encourages the wearer to dream of the possibilities. There’s a certain aspirational element linked to where it might take you.

The message is even stronger when the two are combined – such as seeing Sean Connery wear a Breitling in the 1965 Thunderball James Bond film. The all-star cast of the Cinema Squad invite you into that story and encourage you to dream the impossible (with a Breitling strapped to your wrist, of course).

Brad Pitt – Navitimer 8 B01 Chronograph 43

Brad Pitt needs no introduction. One of the world’s best-known actors, he’s also a successful film producer. He has received multiple awards and nominations for both. Some of his more recent hits have included David Ayer’s World War Two epic, ‘Fury’, and Robert Zemeckis’ ‘Allied’. He played a supporting role in ‘The Big Short’, and the lead in the Netflix satirical war comedy ‘War Machine’ – both of which he also produced with his company Plan B Entertainment. Pitt’s upcoming roles include James Gray’s deep space epic ‘Ad Astra’, and Quentin Tarantino’s ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’ (opposite Leonardo DiCaprio). A Breitling on the debonair actor’s wrist can conjure any number of scenarios.

Pitt opts to wear the flagship of the newly-formed Navitimer 8 collection, in the B01 Chronograph 43. The Navitimer 8 models serve to capture the character of pre-slide rule pilot’s watches made by Breitling in the 1940’s. They offer a pared-back dial with legibility as key. Large Arabic numerals and hands featuring lume are typical of the portrayed period. Also of note, all models are water resistant to 100m (10 bar/ 330 ft), supported by a screw-locked crown. For fans of the cleaner style, the Navitimer 8 is a winner. And Pitt shows how it’s done, going for a steel case with blue dial.

As a Manufacture Calibre, the B01 Chronograph 43 carries several distinguishing features. These include a screwed in rear crystal displaying the COSC-certified column-wheel with vertical clutch movement, contrasting brushed and polished accents on the case (as well as distinct finishings on the steel bracelet option), and contrasting sub-dial colours. Other features include the bidirectional rotating bezel, and the date appearing through an aperture at 4:30. The self-winding mechanical B01 movement will provide a minimum power reserve of 70 hours. Navitimer 8 cases employ (ergonomically) shorter lugs. So, as on Pitt’s wrist, the B01 Chronograph 43 will feel right at home.

Charlize Theron – Navitimer 1 Automatic 38

Hailing originally from South Africa, Charlize Theron has built a remarkable film career. Her long list of accolades includes multiple Academy and Golden Globe Awards. She also boasts an impressive track record as a movie and television producer. In recent years, Theron has starred in several top-grossing action films, including ‘Snow White and the Huntsman’, ‘Prometheus’, ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’, ‘The Fate of the Furious’, and ‘Atomic Blonde’. She also received praise for her performances in Jason Reitman’s comedy-dramas ‘Young Adult’ and ‘Tully’. Outside of film, she is the founder of the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project, dedicated to fighting HIV in sub-Saharan Africa. Likewise, a Breitling on her wrist suggests limitless possibilities.

Theron chooses the new, highly praised Navitimer 1 Automatic 38. The non-chronograph – still retaining the signature slide rule – offers a more discreet Breitling. (Perfect for more formal settings.) The Baselworld surprise model is inspired by the 1950s reference 66. (Also a three-handed non-chronograph Navitimer.) While the fine beaded (bidirectional) bezel pays homage to the first generation Navitimer, reference 806. The combination with clean dial, and date window at 6 o’clock, is quite attractive and works well at the reduced dimensions.

Theron, like Pitt, goes for the steel case with blue dial. Featuring the circular slide scale denoted by cream-coloured, lumed, hour and minute hands, red-tipped seconds hand (with counterweight), and applied hour markers. The Navitimer 1 Automatic 38 runs on the COSC-certified Breitling 17 calibre. The self-winding mechanical movement turning on 25 jewels produces a minimum power reserve of 40 hours. The Navitimer 1 Automatic 38 makes an elegant statement of sophistication. Its compact dimensions rest nicely on the wrists of women and men alike. Water resistance is to 30m (3 bar/100ft).

Adam Driver – Navitimer 1 B01 Chronograph 43

Rounding out the squad is television, Broadway and film actor, Adam Driver. After making his feature film debut in ‘J. Edgar’, Driver has proven himself to be one of America’s most versatile actors. He has gained further recognition by playing the main antagonist in the Star Wars sequel trilogy. Most recently in ‘The Last Jedi’ (he’s also set to reprise his role in next year’s Episode IX). Driver starred in the critically acclaimed ‘Logan Lucky’ last year, and ‘BlacKkKlansman’ in 2018. He has also garnered rave reviews on the stage, and in 2019 is set to appear in the first Broadway revival of ‘Burn This’. A Juilliard graduate, Driver is also a former US Marine. Hence both in pretend and in real life, he’s had use for a proper tool watch. It’s not surprising then that he’s chosen the classic of the Navitimer line.

The Navitimer 1 B01 Chronograph 43 was a star attraction at this year’s Baselworld fair. Driver’s choice is the red gold version with blue dial. The signature white of the circular slide scale frames the coloured watch face with sunken sub-dials (for extra contrast). The chronograph central seconds hand (with counterweight) stands out in red. Hands and applied hour markers benefit from lume, while the date aperture tucked discreetly at 4:30 underscores the depth of the dial. Pushers are of course present at 2 and 4 o’clock (Breitling having invented them both). A bidirectional, ratcheted, rotating bezel operates the slide.

As with Pitt’s choice, the Navitimer 1 B01 Chronograph 43 is fitted with the Manufacture Calibre B01. The self-winding mechanical movement employs a column-wheel and vertical clutch. Meaning very smooth action (with no play) when starting or resetting the chronograph. It also has quick-set date and hacking seconds. The COSC-certified calibre turns on 47 jewels and provides a minimum power reserve of 70 hours. The Navitimer 1 comes in a new case that preserves the familiar look but with the (pronounced) lugs shortened, and the thickness reduced to 14.22mm.  Water resistance is to 30m (3 bar/ 100ft). Case alterations (and logo update) aside, this is very much the pilot’s watch familiar to fans.

Make your own story

Breitling watches have a strong history to draw upon when it comes to telling a good story. The Navitimer models in particular were built for real pilot’s use and still offer a strong link to aviation. On the wrists of the Cinema Squad, the possibilities are endless. You too can join in the ideas of action and purpose associated with these watches and make your own story. To view the full Navitimer 8 and Navitimer 1 ranges – make your way to our Norwich boutique.