Iconic watch brand Breitling has announced it will partner with online luxury men’s retailer Mr Porter to debut a new watch—which will be available on Mr Porter for the month of June before becoming available through the brand’s usual retail avenues.

The watch—the Navitimer Aviator 8 B01 Chronograph 43 Limited Edition—is part of the Navitimer 8 collection that Breitling introduced earlier this year. It will debut June 2 on Mr Porter, along with an edited selection of 31 Breitling timepieces.

Breitling CEO Georges Kern said in a statement, “This is an important step in Breitling’s omnichannel strategy and perfectly fits our digital vision to offer a unique brand experience to a broader audience around the globe. Breitling and Mr Porter share common values of quality, exclusivity, and an affinity for exceptional products, which makes us proud to partner with [the retailer].”

Above and top: Breitling’s Navitimer Aviator 8 B01 Chronograph 43 Limited Edition will launch exclusively on Mr Porter in June (photos courtesy of Breitling)

The Navitimer Aviator 8 B01 Chronograph 43 Limited Edition features the brand’s signature Breitling Manufacture Caliber B01 mechanical movement and will be produced in a series limited to 1,000 pieces. The watch is a COSC-certified chronometer and has a silver dial and anthracite contrasting chronograph with small seconds subdials.

Its movement is visible through a transparent sapphire caseback, and its bezel features indexes and Arabic numerals in addition to its practical pointer. The watch’s design and functionality were inspired by the Huit Aviation Department, which was established by Willy Breitling in 1938, according to the company (the division’s name was taken from the French word for eight, reflecting the need for cockpit instruments of the day to have an eight-day power reserve).

Toby Bateman, managing director of Mr Porter, said in the same statement, “We’re thrilled to be launching Breitling, a brand that embodies craftsmanship and performance. Its recent rebirth within the watch industry has been very successful, making it the perfect time for this partnership, which will carry on the strategic growth of Mr Porter’s luxury watch category.”

Emili Vesilind

JCK Senior Editor