As complications go, perpetual calendars propel you straight into the major league. That was clearly the intent when Breitling launched its first in-house perpetual calendar chronograph movement, Caliber B19, in 2024 as part of the brand’s 140th celebrations.

Breitling Navitimer B19 Chronograph 43 Perpetual Calendar 140th Anniversary

2026’s new limited edition Breitling Navitimer B19 Chronograph 43 Perpetual Calendar

A perpetual calendar automatically accounts for leap years and different days in a month. The beauty of it is that it will not require manual adjustments as long as the watch runs uninterrupted. Historically, Breitling has not made many perpetual calendars — its most notable example was the Navitimer Olympus family of the 2000s, which even then was not a full perpetual, as it required adjustments in leap years. These were dependent on a modified ETA movement stacked with a module, and interestingly enough, it was called Caliber 19.

The new Caliber B19, on the other hand, is an in-house column-wheel, vertical-clutch chronograph movement that is fully integrated with the perpetual calendar. Calendar indications are advanced via the crown in a one-step correction system, while individual adjustments are made via two discreet pushers at 8 and 10 o’clock. As with all of Breitling’s movements since 1999, the self-winding movement is COSC-certified and beats at a steady 4Hz with an impressive 96-hour power reserve.

The new COSC-certified Caliber B19 with two discreet pushers at 8 and 10 o’clock

It made its debut in not one but three of the house’s collections as special 140th-anniversary limited editions — the Premier, the Chronomat and, last but not least, the Navitimer. The first Navitimer incarnation came in a handsome 43mm rose gold case with a stunning gold-colored sunray-brushed dial, paired with tone-on-tone subdials for maximum dazzle. The signature slide rule, meanwhile, is rendered in black for contrast. Last year, Breitling followed it up with a stunning permanent addition, this time in steel with bi-directional rotating bezel in platinum and slide rule in contrasting black, paired with an icy blue sunburst dial.

Breitling Navitimer B19 Perpetual Calendar Chronograph

For 2026, Breitling presents a classy platinum iteration with an inky blue lacquered dial limited to 75 pieces, alongside a second execution in stainless steel with a platinum bezel and anthracite dial.

A classy example with platinum case and inky blue dial

Both versions boast a high-contrast slide rule configuration with a black outer slide rule matched with contrasting white inner scale and striking blue highlights. The dial layout follows that of earlier editions, with symmetrical subdials for a welcome visual balance. But more than just good looks, it packs a whole load of information. A beautifully executed moonphase is at 12 o’clock, while the displays for date and chronograph minutes sit on the inner track at 3 o’clock, the month and leap year indicators are at 6 o’clock, and day of the week and running seconds are at 9 o’clock. Both watches bear a sapphire caseback that shows off their 18K rose gold rotors, an upgrade from the 2025 reference.

Plenty of details on the dial including a beautifully executed moonphase at 12 o’clock

The CaliberB19 features an 18K openworked rose gold rotor

At 43mm in diameter and 14.94mm thick, there is no question that they take up serious real estate on the wrist. Then again, how else is one to squeeze in all that goodness on one dial?

Tech Specs: Breitling Navitimer B19 Chronograph 43 Perpetual Calendar

Movement Self-winding Breitling Manufacture Caliber B19; COSC-certified; 96-hour power reserve
Functions Hours, minutes, small seconds, chronograph and perpetual calendar
Case 43mm × 14.94mm; stainless steel with platinum bezel, or full platinum; water resistant to 30m
Dial Slate Gray or Marine Blue; applied hour markers with Super-LumiNova coating
Strap Stainless steel model with platinum bezel – Brown alligator leather with stainless steel folding clasp, or stainless steel seven-row bracelet; Full platinum model – Blue alligator leather with 18K white gold folding clasp
Price Upon request
Availability Limited edition of 75 pieces in full platinum