Breitling Navitimer B09 Chronograph 41 Miles Davis Watch Review
The limited edition Breitling Navitimer B09 Chronograph 41 Miles Davis pays tribute to the jazz legend and is inspired by the Reference 806 Mark 5 he wore. During the 1960s, the ‘tool watch’ was the preserve of professionals such as military personnel, divers and pilots. Davis, a man of sartorial elegance, chose to complement his Italian suits with a chronograph, a watch that did more than indicate the time.
The chronograph – a versatile complication
For over 200 years, humankind has used chronographs to measure elapsed periods of time. The first chronograph was invented in 1816, an astronomical instrument used to measure star transit times. A few years later, in 1821, a chronograph was used at a horse race staged at Champ-de-Mars in Paris, recording the times of each participating thoroughbred. Thereafter, the applications for the chronograph seemed endless. For instance, some pocket chronographs were equipped with pulsometer scales which proved invaluable for doctors when evaluating a patient’s health. Likewise, timepieces marked with a telemeter scale saw military service, providing the means to calculate the distance from enemy fire.
However, it was with the advent of cars and planes that the popularity of chronographs grew exponentially. Breitling became a leader in this domain, releasing the ‘Vitesse’, a pocket watch capable of measuring speeds of vehicles up to 150 kph. Interestingly, the Vitesse was used by the Swiss police for targeting speeding motorists.
Breitling – chronograph specialists
Since it was founded in 1884, Breitling has always been at the vanguard of chronograph technology. For instance, it introduced the first chronograph pusher at 2 o’clock (1915). Ultimately, in 1934, Willy Breitling patented the two-pusher configuration that is still widely used today (start/stop at 2 o’clock and zero reset at 4 o’clock).
As stated earlier, chronographs were widely used for navigating the skies. Pilots utilised the complication to measure flight sectors, and later the chronograph served as a backup should the cockpit instruments fail. In 1952, Breitling cemented its ties to aviation, creating a chronograph purposely made for civilian pilots. Equipped with a rotating slide rule, the ‘Navitimer’ (a portmanteau of ‘navigation’ and ‘timer’) became the official watch of the AOPA (Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association), ‘the largest aviation community in the world’.
Breitling Navitimer B09 Chronograph 41 Miles Davis – introduction
Born in Alton, Illinois, Miles Davis was one of three children and began attending music lessons in 1936, receiving his first trumpet three years later. He performed publicly for the first time in 1942, played on a Rubberlegs Williams’ album in 1945 and ultimately released his debut solo album, ‘The New Sounds’, in 1951. Known for his mastery of jazz, his repertoire encompassed a variety of genres, including bebop, cool jazz, modal jazz, hip-hop and pop. His greatness saw him nominated for 32 Grammy Awards and led to him receiving 8 Grammy Trophies.
Widely known as a stylish gentleman, Miles had an appreciation for the finer things in life, including Italian suits. He also owned a Breitling Navitimer Reference 806 Mark 5 and chose to wear the famous timepiece before it became de rigueur to wear a tool watch for non-professional use. Indeed, he was often seen wearing his Breitling watch whilst performing on stage.
Now, the Swiss marque has released the limited edition Navitimer B09 Chronograph 41 Miles Davis, marking 100 years since the trumpeter was born. The limited edition model is enriched with period-inspired details but also encompasses the brand’s cutting-edge know-how.
Breitling Navitimer B09 Chronograph 41 Miles Davis – dial
Breitling devotees will immediately recognise the black dial, framed with a white rehaut and marked with a circular slide rule. This latter function provides the wearer with the means to divide and multiply numbers or calculate a descent speed. Unlike the inaugural Navitimer of 1952, the B09 Chronograph 41 Miles Davis features a reverse-panda dial with white counters peeping from a predominantly black canvas.
The syringe-style hour and minute hands converse with hour markers comprising baton-style indexes and Arabic numerals at 12 o’clock. Both the hands and indexes are lined with old radium Super-LumiNova, imbuing the dial with a vintage vibe. Meanwhile, the three counters (a 30-minute chronograph register at 3 o’clock, a 12-hour chronograph register at 6 o’clock and a small seconds indication at 9 o’clock) are enlivened with a snailed finish (aka azurage) and incorporate a sloping track, conferring a becoming texture and depth to their appearance. Consistent with the 1952 release, the dial omits a date indication, preserving the lucidity of the display.
Below noon, the dial bears the ‘twin jet emblem’, a historical means of differentiating AOPA editions from those sold at Breitling stockists. The Reference 806 Mark 5 worn by Miles Davis was the first watch to pair the twin jet emblem with a reverse-panda dial.
Breitling Navitimer B09 Chronograph 41 Miles Davis – case
As its name attests, the Navitimer B09 Chronograph 41 Miles Davis measures 41 mm in diameter, the same as Miles Davis’s Reference 806 Mark 5. Indeed, the model’s iconic silhouette has changed little over the years. The crimped edge of the bezel coaxes fingers to rotate its form, even when the slide rule is not needed.
The pump pushers are functional, yet refreshingly neat. With a thickness of 13 mm, the case offers notable presence but doesn’t feel unwieldy. Polished surfaces abound, albeit the caseband and pusher surrounds are satin-finished, introducing a note of comely contrast.
Unlike Miles Davis’s Reference 806 Mark 5, which featured a solid caseback, the new tribute piece is equipped with a sapphire caseback, granting sight of the hand-wound Breitling Manufacture Caliber B09. Some traditionalists may prefer a solid caseback; however, personally speaking, I applaud the Swiss marque’s decision to reveal the movement within. The caseback is also engraved with ‘One of 500’ and ‘Miles Davis Centennial’.
Prospective purchasers can specify their watch with a brown calf-leather strap or, alternatively, they can opt for a stainless steel ‘Air Racer bracelet’. This latter bracelet harks back to the 1960s with its ‘vented design’ and gleaming steel appearance. On this occasion, the Manufacture has added links near the clasp to improve comfort and enhance wearability.
Breitling Navitimer B09 Chronograph 41 Miles Davis – movement
The Navitimer Reference 806 Mark 5 worn by Miles Davis was produced in the mid-1960s. For this new tribute watch, Breitling has chosen to stay true to the original specification, equipping the model with a hand-wound movement. Today, Breitling makes thousands of in-house calibres every year, but back in the 50s and 60s, the company, in common with most of its competitors, procured movements from specialist firms. Early examples of the Navitimer were equipped with a hand-wound Valjoux 72 movement, with later references featuring the hand-wound Venus 178.
Sharing much in common with said period movements, the in-house produced, hand-wound Caliber B09 features a column-wheel, a component that initiates the stop, start and reset functions. This castle-like wheel is costlier to produce than an oscillating pinion and is widely considered technically superior. In this instance the column-wheel is paired with a vertical coupling, delivering stutter-free actuation of the chronograph and a smooth pusher action.
While the Breitling Navitimer B09 Chronograph 41 Miles Davis shares much in common with the eponymous musician’s watch, it hasn’t rejected advances in horology. For instance, the cadence of the balance is 28,800 vph (4 Hz), significantly greater than that of the Valjoux 72 and Venus 178, which both operated at 18,000 vph (2.5 Hz). The higher frequency of the modern-day movement confers superior precision and is less susceptible to the influence of shocks. Moreover, despite operating at a higher frequency, usually responsible for consuming greater energy, the Caliber B09 has a power reserve of approximately 70 hours (Valjoux = circa 40 hours, Venus = circa 45 hours).
Today, CAD (Computer Aided Design) allows ‘constructeurs’ to optimise the design of movements, simulating the forces acting on various parts. Likewise, CNC (Computer Numerical Control) and EDM (Electrical Discharge Machine) machines can produce movement components to near-infinitesimal tolerances measured in microns. Lubricants are also far superior to those employed 60 years ago, reducing wear, mitigating the risk of corrosion and improving performance. Another notable attribute of the Caliber B09 is that the movement is chronometer-certified (COSC), providing independent assurance of its timekeeping prowess.
Closing remarks
For over 140 years, Breitling chronographs have stood witness to significant moments in history, playing an active role in recording many events. Since 1884, the esteemed firm has made its name, producing dependable professional instruments suited to use on land, in the air or at sea.
Today, most divers’ watches are seldom used in anger, instead they are selected for their appearance and the day-to-day practicality they offer. Likewise, most chronograph wearers will have little reason to measure elapsed periods each day; however, they remain attracted to the tactile interaction they proffer and the sporty appearance they exhibit. These characteristics were appreciated by Miles Davis and led to him wearing a Navitimer Reference 806 Mark 5 as he performed on stage. A trend-setter, Miles recognised the versatility of the chronograph before most people and therefore it seems appropriate that Breitling create a tribute to the great man with this centennial model.
Further reading
Technical specifications
- Model: Breitling Navitimer B09 Chronograph 41 Miles Davis
- Reference: AB09501A1B1X1 – brown calf leather strap
- Reference: AB09501A1B1A1 – air racer bracelet
- Case: stainless steel, diameter 41 mm, height 13 mm, water resistant to 3 bar (30 metres); sapphire crystal to front and exhibition caseback.
- Functions: hours, minutes, small seconds, chronograph
- Movement: Breitling Manufacture Caliber B09, hand-wound movement, frequency 28,800 vph (4 Hz), power reserve approximately 70 hours, 244 components
- Price: £7350 (RRP as of 7.9.2026)
- Price: £7850 (RRP as of 7.9.2026)
- Limited Edition: 500 pieces