Back in 2020, Swiss made replica Breitling UK launched the Navitimer Automatic 35. As Cara explained in her review of this earlier model, “Breitling has been and always will be a consumer-focused manufacturer,” their mission is clearly to expand on an existing idea in line with current market trends and make it fit as many consumers as possible. This perfect fake Breitling is marketed to women but fits the new demand for smaller size everything by male watch enthusiasts too.
I hesitate to use the word “shrunken” for fear of sounding critical off the bat, but let’s call a spade a spade. Yes the design is considered and balanced. But as a woman in the luxury super clone watch space it’s my job to be critical about these things. While I do appreciate things being made in smaller more wearable sizes (for those of us with smaller wrists), mother of pearl and diamond indices give me the ick.
But that’s okay because there’s something for everybody in this new lineup. I chose the mint or gray dial in 36mm with nary a diamond in sight because it felt like the most wearable option to me. I suppose the democratic approach is to make something for everybody and that’s exactly what best 1:1 replica Breitling has done here. Hats off to them for an attempt at actual variety. Because, surprise surprise, different women like different things.
And while I’m trying not to think too deeply about the omission of the aaa quality fake Breitling Navitimer chronograph (come on people I know you can make a 36mm chrono), it begs the question – do we shrink and change what’s good about an existing product or do we just make a new product?