The time: 7:00 PM
The watch: Breitling Navitimer Pan Am
On a recent trip back to my native Puerto Rico, I had the pleasure of dining at Costa Azul, a vibrant restaurant nestled in Manatí, that pulses with the flavors of the island. I’m always on the hunt for places to eat, and this restaurant was recommended to me by a childhood neighbor, so I figured I’d give it a shot. This visit wasn’t just about reconnecting with my roots. It was also about celebrating the art of pairing: exceptional cuisine with extraordinary timepieces. And for this culinary voyage, I brought along the Breitling Navitimer Pan Am, a chronograph that echoes the spirit of global travel and timeless precision.
My brother and uncle joined me and this is how the adventure unfolded:
The journey begins with Costa Azul’s Churrasco. This Angus skirt steak arrives grilled to a juicy medium, draped in a vibrant chimichurri that brightens every bite. Served alongside sautéed vegetables, the dish captures the bold yet refined spirit of Puerto Rican grilling. Much like the Navitimer’s slide rule bezel, the flavors are precise and calculated, delivering complexity without chaos. It’s a plate that speaks fluently in spice and smoke.
Next came a showstopper: the Mofongo Tres Carnes, towering with mashed plantains and crowned in a trio of chicken, churrasco, and chorizo. What seals the deal is the guava sauce: sweet, tangy, and deeply tropical. It drapes across the savory meats like a silk scarf, adding contrast and flair. It’s a dish rooted in tradition yet unafraid to be bold, much like the Pan Am Navitimer. The watch, with its vintage Pan Am logo and blue dial, honors aviation history while maintaining modern Breitling swagger.
To close the experience, the Lomillo Encebollado presents a softer, homestyle cadence. Sautéed beef loin is simmered with onions until rich and tender, served with a mound of white rice and golden tostones. It’s humble and satisfying, the kind of plate that whispers comfort rather than shouting for attention. The Navitimer, too, has this range, commanding in presence yet graceful in its detailing.
The Pairing
Costa Azul captures the flavor of Puerto Rico not just in ingredients, but in rhythm, soul, and tempo. Every dish is an expression of warmth and welcome. Likewise, the Breitling Navitimer Pan Am tells more than time, it tells a story. The chronograph subdials, the aviation heritage, the bold red chronograph hand, all echo the pulse of movement and the heartbeat of adventure.
What makes this pairing sing is the balance. Between the precision of Swiss horology and the spontaneity of Caribbean cuisine. Between a watch designed for pilots and a table designed for family. Between the memory of home and the thrill of exploration.
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