Breitling Navitimer Ice Blue: My First Luxury Watch Experience

A Special 18th Birthday Gift 🎁

Even though turning 18 and becoming an adult couldn’t be celebrated with my parents by my side, their love was always present in every decision I made. A heartfelt thank you to the angel investors who made this moment even more special ❤️.

At first, I was completely lost—no idea where to start, and the budget was as foggy as a morning mist. My initial fascination with Cartier quickly fizzled out after some constructive (and slightly critical) feedback from Dad. His guidelines were clear: “sporty,” “not business-like,” “no fashion watches,” “something less mainstream,” and “doesn’t have to be a women’s watch” (if he didn’t want to buy me one, he could’ve just said so!

🥹). The most important rule? Choose a brand that takes watchmaking seriously—not just something pretty on the surface.

Delicate, overly formal, or decorative watches were off the table… and honestly, they wouldn’t suit me anyway. My style isn’t delicate, and my larger frame and thicker wrists make small-diameter women’s watches look out of place. Thankfully, Dad gets me—he really does 🥲.

When it became clear I wasn’t making much progress, Dad suggested I explore brands like Breitling and TAG Heuer. At TAG, while the Carrera caught my eye briefly, nothing felt quite right. So, I moved on to Breitling.

For a sporty vibe, I naturally gravitated toward the Avenger and Superocean collections. After trying on the Avenger with Mom’s help, she pointed out it felt too masculine, heavy, and lacked distinction (see Figure 4). Meanwhile, the Superocean looked stunning in an official Instagram post (Figure 3), but when I checked the stores, I realized that exact model and color weren’t available. Other options in the line didn’t resonate either.

Then came the Chronomat Bicompax 44 Ice Blue—a beautiful piece, no doubt. But Shen Wan’s sister gave me a reality check: it had a generic movement and carried a hefty price tag. This sparked my interest in learning more about movements. Once I understood the value of proprietary technology, I knew I wanted to stick to the B01 series—it justified the higher cost. And the more I researched, the more ambitious I got 😇.

Next up was the Top Time Triumph Ice Blue. Online photos showed it to be distinctive and gorgeous, but in person (Figure 5), it fell short. The 41mm dial felt petite on my wrist, and frankly, I wasn’t crazy about the Triumph design—I’m more into American Harleys than European motorcycles. Since this might be my first *and* last watch, I decided against a collaboration model. If I’m going to invest, it should be in something timeless with potential collectible value.

That led me to dig deeper into the brand’s best offerings, which is how I stumbled upon the Navitimer. As the flagship product, it’s legendary in aviation chronographs—classic, unique, and packed with genuine functionality. My dream has always been to become a pilot, and if I achieve that, this watch would serve both form and function.

Now, waterproofing at three atmospheres? Honestly, if it gets wet, I’d probably give up living altogether 🤔. Once I settled on the Navitimer, I wrestled between black/white and ice blue. In person, the ice blue is breathtakingly beautiful. While the black/white option is sharp, it leans heavily masculine—the male lead in a recent K-drama wore one, adding to its appeal.

This journey taught me patience, research, and the importance of finding a piece that truly reflects who I am. And now, I’m thrilled to call this masterpiece mine!

They all say the Navitimer looks oversized, but when I slipped it on, it felt just right. My wrist measures around 52mm, so I decided to try all three sizes to make sure of my choice. The 41mm feels almost toy-like—too petite and cramped for my taste. The 43mm strikes a great balance; it’s not overly large, yet it’s significantly more comfortable than the 41mm.

Then there’s the 46mm—it appears colossal in the showcase, but surprisingly, it sits well on the wrist. That said, it does command attention with its bold presence. Ultimately, I settled on the 43mm. While it might look a tad large in photos, it fits like a glove and feels absolutely perfect. 🙂