A Festive Homecoming of Yellow Gold: Breitling Unveils New Expressions for the Festive Season

Breitling has unveiled the Navitimer Automatic 36 and the Superocean Heritage Automatic 36 in a two-tone combination of stainless steel and 18 carat yellow gold, offered ahead for the festive season. The brand has been seen favouring red gold in recent years, while granting yellow gold occasional appearances, which makes this a notable revival. Each piece sets the traditional warm metal against cooler tones of steel, white and mother-of-pearl, producing a winter palette with a gentler glow at its edges.

Breitling's chief executive, Jean-Marc Pontroué, describes yellow gold as a metal with “unmatched cultural value”, and believes its natural gold colour makes for a confident statement. In his view, the watches make use of this natural hue with restraint. The gold appears in measured amounts beside the white elements of the dial and bezel, and the resulting contrast gives both designs a composed, elegant character. Both are conceived as gifts, yet their proportions and finishing suit casual wear well beyond December.

Navitimer Automatic 36: Mother-of-Pearl and Diamonds

The Navitimer Automatic 36 is presented in a stainless steel case and bracelet with 18k yellow gold. The gold bezel is bidirectional and carries the slide rule that defines the model; the gold is traceable, sourced from mines accredited by the Swiss Better Gold Association. The dial is mother-of-pearl, a natural material that ensures no two examples look exactly alike, and it is marked with diamond indexes. The display is time-only, with hour and minute hands finished with Super-LumiNova®. The result is a clean face with an understated manner and a distinct presence.

The case measures 36 mm in diameter and 11.42 mm in thickness, with a lug-to-lug height of 41.77 mm. It is fitted with a cambered sapphire crystal, glareproofed on both sides, and a closed case back. The crown is non-screw-locked with two gaskets, and water resistance is rated to 3 bar (30 meters), a specification suited to a dress-oriented watch.

Inside the dial beats the Breitling Caliber 17, a self-winding mechanical movement that winds in both directions on a ball bearing. It measures 25.60 mm across and 4.60 mm deep, runs at 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz) and holds approximately 38 hours of power reserve. It is COSC-certified as a chronometer. The model arrives with a choice of two wearable pieces: a seven-row two-tone bracelet or a brown alligator leather strap, each with a folding clasp.

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Superocean Heritage Automatic 36: White and Gold, Built for Water

The Superocean Heritage Automatic 36 approaches the two-tone idea with a lighter hand. A white dial and a white ceramic bezel insert are framed by a solid 18k yellow gold bezel, which is unidirectional and ratcheted. Gold hands, indexes and bezel markers repeat the theme, and the contrast gives the watch a luminous, polished look. The indexes and hands are filled with Super-LumiNova®, and the display includes hour, minute, second and date.

Unlike its Navitimer sibling, this is a watch made for use in water. The stainless steel case is 36 mm in diameter and 10.42 mm thick, with a lug-to-lug height of 42.84 mm. A screw-locked crown with two gaskets and a screwed steel case back supports water resistance to 20 bar (200 metres). The cambered sapphire crystal is glareproofed on both sides.

Powering it is the Breitling Caliber 10, an automatic time-and-date movement with bidirectional winding on a ball bearing. It measures 25.60 mm in diameter and 3.60 mm in depth, beats at 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz) and offers roughly 42 hours of power reserve, with COSC chronometer certification. The watch may be had on a white rubber strap or a stainless steel mesh bracelet, both closed by a butterfly clasp.

Together, the two timepieces offer a sharp contrast in how yellow gold can feel effortlessly modern and timeless, rather than predictable. The Navitimer Automatic 36 leans towards refinement, with its mother-of-pearl dial, diamond indexes and slide rule bezel suited to dressier occasions. The Superocean Heritage Automatic 36 offers a brighter, more practical alternative, pairing white and gold with 200 metres of water resistance and a COSC-certified movement. Both share a measured and mastered use of gold and a confidence that strides forward well beyond just the festive season. Whether chosen as a gift or as a personal indulgence, each reflects Breitling's renewed appreciation for the warm glow of yellow gold. 

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