The Breitling Crosswind Special A24322, while often mistakenly referred to as a Navitimer due to its similar aesthetic, holds a unique place in Breitling's history. Priced at approximately $5,263.00 in the used market, this watch offers a compelling blend of functionality, style, and heritage, making it a desirable piece for both seasoned collectors and aspiring enthusiasts. This in-depth exploration will delve into the nuances of the A24322, addressing common search queries like "Breitling Navitimer A24322 price," "Breitling A24322 for sale," and "Breitling Navitimer A24322 review," while clarifying its distinct identity within the Breitling family.
Unveiling the Crosswind Special: More Than Just a Navitimer Look-Alike
The A24322's design frequently leads to confusion with the iconic Navitimer. Both share a similar circular case, prominent chronograph pushers, and a busy dial filled with information. However, a closer examination reveals key differences. The Crosswind Special, unlike the Navitimer's slide-rule bezel, features a fixed bezel, often with a tachymeter scale. This subtle but significant change alters the watch's primary function. While the Navitimer excels in aviation calculations, the Crosswind Special is geared towards more general-purpose timing and speed calculations.
The dial itself is another point of differentiation. While both models employ a multi-register layout, the Crosswind Special's arrangement and font choices subtly differ, lending it a slightly more understated and less cluttered appearance compared to the often densely packed Navitimer dial. The hands, too, might display minor variations in style, further distinguishing the two. These seemingly small differences accumulate to create a distinct visual identity for the Crosswind Special.
Exploring the Functionality: A Practical Chronograph
The Breitling A24322 houses a robust and reliable chronograph movement, typically a self-winding caliber (though specific movement details vary depending on production year and minor variations within the A24322 reference). This movement ensures accurate timekeeping and precise chronograph functionality, making it suitable for timing events, measuring speed, or simply enjoying the intricate mechanics on display through the often-sapphire crystal case back. The chronograph function is intuitive and easy to operate, with clearly marked pushers for starting, stopping, and resetting the elapsed time.
The tachymeter scale on the bezel allows for speed calculations based on elapsed time over a known distance. This functionality, while perhaps less frequently used than the Navitimer's slide rule, remains a valuable feature for those interested in measuring speed or performance. The date window, typically located at three o'clock, provides a practical everyday feature, adding to the watch's overall usability.
A Deeper Dive into the "Breitling Navitimer A24322" Misnomer
The frequent association of the A24322 with the Navitimer stems from a shared design language and the overall aesthetic resemblance. The circular case, the multiple sub-dials, and the presence of a tachymeter (though on a fixed bezel rather than a slide rule) all contribute to this visual similarity. However, it's crucial to understand that the Crosswind Special is a distinct model with its own unique design elements and intended functionality. The "Breitling Navitimer A24322" search term, while leading many to this watch, is technically inaccurate. Understanding this distinction is key to appreciating the A24322 for what it is: a sophisticated and practical chronograph with its own identity.
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