Timepieces ought to be limited to historically significant models, there are so many which are older than you think they exist, which is exactly what Breitling iis. The Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association (AOPA) assisted in the development of the Navitimer, which was first powered by the Venus 178 movement and launched in 1952. The problem with this is that Breitling already has an anniversary Navitimer AOPA with the association’s logo on the dial (just like the good old days). Still, the return of a historical icon would undoubtedly always be a benefit if the company wants to turn things around in 2017 after a challenging year (it is reportedly up for sale). Whether we receive another AOPA Navitimer or something completely new will be intriguing to see.
This year is a milestone for one iconic Rolex that has seen its value soar in the auction house: its 50th anniversary. However, Rolex has demonstrated in the past that it celebrates its own victories when and how it pleases. The Daytona of this year is the same as the one we anticipated in 2013 for the 50th anniversary of that model; however, we were given this platinum version with an icy blue dial and a chestnut brown Cerachrom bezel. If something comes of it (and I wouldn’t get too worked up about this one), it may very well be something along those lines, a really special wristwatch made of a noble material. The comparatively short shelf life of the 2014-introduced Oyster Perpetual Sea-Dweller 4000 is another reason to lower expectations.
An anniversary is the one thing that companies like the most. Honouring significant anniversaries for well-known brands is a certain method to reacquaint consumers with a manufacturer’s colourful history of super clone watches without taking undue business chances. As a matter of fact, watchmakers are so enthusiastic about the oldest in 2023 that some, like Piaget’s 60th anniversary Altiplano series, started planning early in 2016.
