Breitling Stainless steel WristWatch, Imitation Breitling Stainless steel

Breitling Galactic 41 (B49350L2A704146Z)

This Breitling Galactic watch looks amazing, is Swiss made and will make a statement! However, I will eventually swap out the leather band for a crocodile band with deployment. The size is great, perfect for any size wrist and this makes a great dress watch.

---- [Rating: 5 / 5 stars]

Review by Afro j, From Viet Nam Tuyen Quang

Breitling Aerospace Evo Blue (E7936310.C869.152E)

Love the Breitling Professional watch. Got it as a present and loved the design, the colors, and the reversible option. It's so sexy and cool.

---- [Rating: 5 / 5 stars]

Review by Nathan Andaya, From USA Orlando/florida

Breitling Superocean II 42 Black Dial Stainless Steel Automatic Men's Watch A17365C9-BD67SS

shipped immediate. great service

---- [Rating: 5 / 5 stars]

Review by Joe V, From United States Placerville

On 1 December 2014, Tristan Boyer de Bouillane was appointed General Manager of Perrelet, a brand that specialises in automatic watches, and a member of the Swiss Festina Group since 2004. This Franco-Swiss, now in his fifties, trained at the Institut Superieur de Gestion in Paris and began his professional career with a Hong Kong transport company. Tristan Boyer de Bouillane discovered the watchmaking world with Charriol, where he spent eight years: four as head of its Middle-Eastern subsidiary, and four more as Sales Export Manager.
In 2000 he was made sales manager at Daniel Roth & Gerald Genta, and was given a seat on the management board. Between 2010 and 2014 he held a number of positions and responsibilities in sales and marketing, including Asia Pacific Sales Director in Singapore and in Switzerland, for Breitling. He left to join Perrelet in 2014.

Perrelet explains that the appointment of Tristan Boyer de Bouillane is intended to strengthen its management and to enable Gerald Roden to focus on his role within the Swiss Festina Group. Tristan Boyer de Bouillane will contribute to the expansion of the brand at the international level as well as helping to consolidate its innovative approach.

After graduating from the Institut Superieur de Gestion in Paris, this French-Swiss national, aged 50 and father of two, began his career in a transport company in Hong Kong. Following this, he worked for Philippe Charriol in Geneva for eight years. In 2000, he took over as head of sales and was a member of the management committee of Daniel Roth & Gerald Genta. From 2010 onwards, he filled a number of key positions in the realm of sales and marketing for Breitling, in Switzerland and Asia, and directed the creation of a subsidiary in India.

Tristan Boyer de Bouillane said he was delighted to be joining Perrelet. Convinced that this niche brand has enormous potential and that the Festina Group will provide the tools necessary to do the job, he wishes to reposition Perrelet amongst the greatest Swiss brands. "We intend to strengthen Perrelet's legitimacy as a Manufacture, by offering in due course exclusively self-winding watches equipped with our own movement. The group's support is key to our development", he added.

To mark the 60th anniversary of the Navitimer chronograph, the cult model among pilots and aviation enthusiasts, Breitling is introducing a 500-piece limited edition with an elegant dial in an exclusive shade of blue and aptly named the Navitimer Blue Sky.
In 1952, Breitling - already a firm fixture among aeronautical professionals - decided to create a new "wrist instrument" specifically designed with aviators in mind. The result was the Navitimer with its famous circular slide rule providing simple and fast handling of all calculations relating to airborne navigation: an authentic wristworn instrument panel. In an era preceding the advent of electronic calculators, this model unique in its kind was soon adopted by many pilots for flight preparation and monitoring - whether it came to calculating average speed, distance covered, fuel consumption or rates of ascent and descent. 

The only authentic aviation chronograph in widespread use, it was naturally chosen as the official watch by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, the largest of its kind in the world and of which the logo often appears on models from the 1950s and 1960s. The Navitimer features a functional design and a highly original technical yet elegant look that is recognizable at first glance. It thus established itself as one of the ten great 20th century watchmaking classics, a timeless benchmark in its field and a reliable value. Continuously made since 1952, while remaining loyal to the aesthetic of the original, it is the world's oldest mechanical chronograph still in production.

A handsomely stylish limited edition
To celebrate its 60 years in flight, the favorite watch among aviation enthusiasts is now available in a 500-piece steel limited edition with a magnificent blue dial, a silver inner bezel and a red central chronograph seconds hand. A handsomely stylish new face for the most emblematic Breitling model.

A transparent caseback affords a chance to admire Manufacture Breitling Caliber 01, the best selfwinding chronograph movement. The series number is engraved on the case middle at 9 o'clock, and the color match is reinforced by an exclusive dark blue crocodile leather strap. The Navitimer Blue Sky Limited Edition 60th anniversary is also available on the Navitimer bracelet - or the highly original perforated Air Racer bracelet.
Navitimer: the legend lives on.

Barnato. The name of the most famous among the "Bentley Boys", the men engaged in a passionate pursuit of victories and accomplishments that included winning the Le Mans 24 Hours Race no less than five times between 1924 and 1930. Also the name of an exceptional chronograph combining superlative style with peerless performance. Breitling for Bentley now interprets this sporty model in a 1,000-piece limited edition entirely clothed in black - from the case made of a steel that is the color of night thanks to a highly resistant carbon-based treatment, through the dial to the supple and sturdy rubber strap. The "instrument panel" appearance is reinforced by the chromed steel-rimmed counters, the red accents and a tachometric scale on the inner bezel.

The generous size of the bezel heights the effect of the elegant raised knurled motif inspired by the famous Bentley radiator grilles. The large hour-markers and the oversized hands enhanced by a luminescent coating guarantee easy reading of the time in any circumstances, even in the heat of action. This ardent and sophisticated sports model is powered by a selfwinding chronograph movement chronometer-certified by the COSC (Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute) - the ultimate token of precision and reliability. 

Performance. Precision. Elegance. The Chronomat 41 with its Manufacture Breitling caliber and its superb presence on the wrist has asserted itself as the chronograph par excellence. The epitome of the Breitling spirit. The brand now offers its star model in a 2,000-piece limited series that will appeal more bly than ever to enthusiasts of original designs.

The sporting touch is accentuated by a black dial with a red central chronograph seconds hand and red counter hands. An authentic, understated and powerful instrument panel. The original and generous lines of the steel case are enhanced by all-polished finishes - as are the bracelet and the rotating bezel engraved with exclusive numerals. The transparent sapphire crystal caseback affords the rare privilege of a chance to admire Breitling Caliber 01, the world's finest chronograph movement, entirely developed and produced in the brand workshops.

Water-resistant to 200 m (660 ft), the Chronomat 41 Limited is naturally chronometercertified by the COSC (Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute) - as indeed are all Breitling models. A b, unique and quintessential design, combined with all the performances expected of an authentic "instrument for professionals".

On May 24th 1962, a Breitling Navitimer chronograph became the first wrist instrument to share in the conquest of space by accompanying the Aurora 7 flight. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of this historical feat, the brand is launching into orbit a new Navitimer Cosmonaute equipped with a high-performance Manufacture Breitling movement, entirely developed and produced in the company workshops.

This 1,962-piece limited edition is distinguished by its 24-hour display, its manual-winding mode - two nods to the original 1962 chronograph - as well as the Aurora 7 mission insignia engraved on the caseback. Navitimer Cosmonaute. The legend continues.
Maiden space flight
The early 1960s were all about the space race. The Americans launched the Mercury program intended to develop manned flights. They were looking for a high-performance, accurate and reliable chronograph capable of withstanding exceptional conditions. With this in mind, they naturally turned to Breitling, the "official supplier to world aviation" and a privileged partner of the finest hours in aeronautical history. The Navitimer, the cult pilot's watch created in 1952, with its famous circular slide rule serving to perform all operations relating to airborne navigation, naturally asserted itself as the ideal instrument in taking up this challenge. It successfully passed all the required tests, and on May 24th 1962, Lt Commander Scott Carpenter orbited the Earth three times aboard the Aurora 7 capsule. On his wrist was a Navitimer equipped with a 24-hour graduated scale serving to distinguish day from night - an absolute necessity in space. Mission accomplished. This was a major new token of recognition for Breitling, and this space conquest pioneer soon entered the brand's collections under the name of Cosmonaute.

The engine driving the accomplishment
The new Manufacture Breitling Caliber 02 power- ing the Navitimer Cosmonaute stands out by its 24-hour display and its manual-winding system - two distinctive features echoing the model that accompanied Scott Carpenter in orbiting the Earth. It was developed by the Breitling engineers and watchmakers based on Caliber 01, the world's best chronograph movement, and is endowed with all the assets of this exceptional "engine" - including an original column-wheel structure, maximum reliability, security and functionality, unfaltering sturdiness and exceptional precision confirmed by a chronometer certificate granted by the COSC (Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute). Issued in a 1,962-piece limited edition, the 50th anniversary Navitimer Cosmonaute features a black dial with silver counters. The dial motif is created using the refined "par epargne" process on a sterling silver base, thereby guaranteeing the peerless radiance and readability of the indications. In addition to the Aurora 7 mission insignia, the engraved caseback also carries a Celsius/Fahrenheit con- version scale - another detail faithful to the design of the vintage Navitimer models.

In 2009, Breitling took its place within the exclusive circle of watch companies with their own mechanical chronograph movement. Not only was the development of this Caliber 01 intended to ensure the brand's long-term independence, but as a specialist of chronographs and instruments for professionals, Breitling also set itself the goal of making the world's best chronograph movement. Best in terms of performance, reliability and functionality.

With this in mind, the firm put in place an avant-garde industrial facility and in-house competencies enabling it to produce its movements according to its own high standards, while ensuring maximum reliability on a large scale - around 40,000 movements in 2011. Caliber 01, which is chronometer-certified like all the brand's movements, currently powers several of Breitling's star models, including the Chronomat, the Navitimer, the Montbrillant and the Transocean. The firm's engineers have also used it as the basis for creating several innovative movements featuring functions that are both useful and user-friendly, such as Caliber 04 with its highly ingenious second timezone system, and the brand-new worldtimer Caliber 05.
To confirm the exceptional reliability of these in-house movements, Breitling has decided to introduce an exclusive five-year warranty on all models equipped with its Manufacture calibers - meaning around half its range of mechanical chronographs. This move represents an exceptional measure at this level of production, and a powerful seal of confidence for all users of Breitling wrist instruments.

Bringing the world to the wrist
Breitling reasserts its horological mastery by launching a "world time" chronograph equipped with a new caliber entirely developed and produced in-house. Thanks to its double disk, the Transocean Chronograph Unitime simultaneously and constantly indicates the time in all 24 timezones. An innovative system based on a patented mechanism enables the user, when changing timezone, to adjust all the indications in one smooth and easy move by simply turning the crown. An exceptional new instrument makes its grand entry into the world of exclusive fine mechanisms.

Time for travel
While the chronograph and instruments for professionals have established themselves since 1884 as Breitling's domain of excellence, travel watches have also played an important role in the history of the brand with the winged B. In sharing the finest hours in the conquest of the skies, Breitling accompanied the boom in air transport and long-distance travel. During the 1950s and 60s, the brand distinguished itself by introducing a sophisticated model named Unitime, a selfwinding "world time" watch that has since become a much sought-after collector's item. Today, Breitling is further extending its invitation to enjoy travel and performances by combining universal time and the chronograph function within a new model in the Transocean range - a collection reflecting all the refinement and prestige of luxury long-distance journeys. Associating innovative technology with stylish aesthetics, the Transocean Chronograph Unitime is distinguished by its modern, pure lines and the infinite care lavished on the smallest details - such as its dial bearing a globe pattern. It comes in steel or red gold versions with the city bezel available in several languages. That unmistakable first-class feeling on the wrist.

Performance and comfort
In creating Caliber 01, the Breitling engineers devised the world's best chronograph movement. In developing the new Caliber 05, based on the same high-performance architecture, they have also reinvented the world time mechanism by equipping it with an adjustment system boasting unprecedented user friendliness. The Transocean Chronograph Unitime features two mobile disks: a 24-hour disk and a disk bearing the names of 24 cities representing the world's 24 timezones. The time shown by the central hands corresponds to that of the timezone displayed at 12 o'clock. The city disk also bears indications serving to take account of "summer" or daylight saving time (DST).
When the user changes timezone, he need only pull out the crown and turn it forwards or backwards in one-hour increments in order to correct the hours, the city disk and the 24-hour disk in one smooth move. Meanwhile, the calendar is easily adjusted in both directions to the date corresponding to local time. During these maneuvers, the minute and seconds hands continue turning normally without any loss of precision, and without perturbing any chronograph timing operations in progress.

A vibrantly colourful limited series
Breitling lines up on the starting grid a 3 x 1,000-piece limited series of the Bentley Supersports chronograph, with a "dashboard-style" dial enlivened by blue, orange or white-ringed counters and inner bezels. Clearly built for outstanding feats and performances, this exceptional watch is a fresh tribute to the Bentley Continental Supersports, the fastest and most powerful car ever made by the British manufacturer, and holder of the world ice speed record. A superchronograph for a supercar.

Exceptional motorisation
Inside its sporty, sturdy and elegant chassis, the Bentley Supersports limited series houses a selfwinding chronograph movement chronometer-certified by the COSC (Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute). It is equipped with an original and extremely practical central-hand 60-minute counter. The rotating bezel serving to activate the variable tachometer - an exclusive Breitling feature enabling measurement of average speed whatever the time elapsed, the distance covered or the speed reached - is adorned with the knurled motif typical of Bentley dashboard controls.

WORLDTEMPUS - 28 March 2011

"We sell timepieces and emotions. We don't sell quality because quality is a must for Breitling," Breitling VP Jean-Paul Girardin replied to the question whether he considered Breitling's watches luxury or quality timepieces. When confronted with the repeated question, he admitted luxury being linked to independency. This, of course, in terms of not being overly dependent on external suppliers - which is precisely where Breitling is going with the in-house B01 movement.

Traveling back and forth in time
"We wanted to create a platform from where we can build other complications," Girardin said as he introduced the 47-millimeter Chronomat 44 GMT containing the next evolution of the in-house caliber called 04. This caliber configuration offers a GMT function that allows the date to be adjusted backward and forwardc. According to Girardin, this is the first chronograph watch that offers a GMT function that can be retrofitted when traveling back in time, so to speak. "We have not yet found any other chronograph that offers this patented function." In any case, this certainly is a rarely seen function on a chronograph watch.

In the cockpit
Beside the Chronomat 44 GMT Caliber 04, Girardin also presented the first - unlimited - Navitimer using the in-house caliber. Of course, the Navitimer is one of Breitling's most famous and indeed iconic timepieces. The watch that literally put Breitling in the cockpit, making the Swiss watch brand one of the first in terms of creating a professional tool watch especially made for aviation purposes. Some of the elements ensuring this are the slide-rule bezel and chronograph.

Talking cockpit, Girardin mentions that making their own movement and hence being more independent makes Breitling "like a captain of his own ship." Or rather, a pilot in his own airplane.

The authentic travel chronograph
Adjusting instantly to the time and date of the place of arrival, while maintaining a 24-hour home-time display and without losing any precision in counting the minutes, must be every traveler's dream. A dream now come true with the new Chronomat GMT, a travel watch from Breitling boasting unprecedented user friendliness. The wearer need only pull out the crown and turn it forwards or backwards to move between timezones in an outstandingly simple manner. Equipped with the new Breitling Caliber 04, entirely developed and produced within the company workshops, the Chronomat GMT is one of the rare chronographs to offer such a smoothly functional dual timezone system. With its exclusive design and its dial featuring subtle three-dimensional effects, it is the new benchmark for all those who want to experience high performances in all parts of the world.

An innovative mecanism
 
From the famous world-time Unitime, the star of the 1950s, to the current Navitimer World models with dual timezone display, travel watches have always had a special place in the Breitling collections. A natural vocation for the favorite pilots' brand that became "official supplier to world aviation". Today, Breitling is returning to the forefront in this field by unveiling a new instrument distinguished by its smart and convivial operating mode. To ensure peerless user friendliness, the firm's watchmakers and engineers have developed a differential system - for which a patent has been duly filed - serving to disconnect the local hour hand from the gear train when changing timezone. This operation thus has no effect on the precision of the watch, nor on the performances of the chronograph.

A high-performance chronograph
 
The fact that the Chronomat GMT is such an exceptional instrument is also because it combines this extremely practical dual timezone system with a chronograph - and not just any chronograph. The brand-new Breitling Caliber 04 developed for this model is indeed derived from Breitling Caliber 01, the sturdiest, most reliable and most high-performance of all selfwinding chronograph movements, entirely designed and produced within the company work-shops. It features the same original architecture and the same cutting-edge characteristics, including a column wheel, a vertical coupling clutch guaranteeing high-precision activation, and an over 70-hour power reserve - along with various innovative special characteristics such as the patented recentering device for the zero-resetting hammers. Designed to provide maximum operational functionality and security, Caliber 04 is manufactured using a high-tech production-chain system revolutionizing traditional movement assembly processes. Breitling thereby guarantees the authentic reliability of its "instruments for professionals" on a large scale. As is the case for all the brand's movements, this high-performance "engine" is chronometer-certified by the COSC (Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute), the highest token of precision.

A powerful style
 
The new Chronomat GMT is based on the powerful, unique and quintessential design of Breitling's leading model, with its imposing steel case featuring ultra-sturdy construction and water-resistant to 500 meters (1,650 ft), as well as its unidirectional rotating bezel engraved with exclusive numerals. However, its dial available in six colors with tone-on-tone or contrasting totalizers has been redesigned to give it a personality all its own. The applied hour-markers are fitted with highly original bases, inspired by Roman numerals. This refined detail accentuates the square shape of the central gridwork-patterned central zone that stands out in subtle ways depending on how it catches the light. The triangular openworked red-tipped hand points to home time on a 24-hour graduated scale partially covered by the inner bezel - thereby giving the dial even more life and depth by playing on the third dimension. The home-time hands and hour-markers are enhanced by a luminescent coating guaranteeing excellent readability by day and night. Entirely made in Switzerland and treated to extremely meticulous finishing, the Chronomat GMT may be teamed with a choice of various straps and bracelets offering a variety of styles and uses: the classic touch of Barenia or crocodile leather, the sporty spirit of rubber straps, and the sturdy masculine nature of the steel Pilot bracelet. A whole world of elegance and performance for the authentic travel chronograph.

Peerless functionality

The new Chronomat GMT is equipped with two central hour hands. The fi rst matches the minute hand and runs over a 12-hour scale, while the second is tipped with a red triangle and runs in 24-hour mode. When the user is in his home country, the two hour hands move in a perfectly synchronized manner.
Changing timezone
 
To adjust the 12-hour hand to local time, the user simply pulls the crown out to position 2 and turns it in either direction by the number of notches corresponding to the number of hours composing the time difference. The date display is indexed to this 12-hour hand and changes automatically if required, both backwards or forwards. The red-tipped hand keeps track of home time on a 24-hour basis, thus enabling one to distinguish between day and night and avoiding the risk of waking family members, friends or business contacts by phoning them when they are sound asleep. And if the traveler makes stopovers in several different timezones, he need only repeat the same operation on each occasion and then, upon returning home, reset the two hands to the same time. It's hard to imagine anything simpler!

Breitling launches the first Navitimer with a 100% in-house made chronograph movement

Breitling combines its two long-established passions - chronographs and aeronautics - by offering the legendary Navitimer model in a limited series equipped with its proprietary Caliber 01. Issued in 2,000-piece steel and 200-piece red gold editions, the "Navitimer Caliber 01" is distinguished by its slightly broader diameter and its transparent caseback providing clear views of its high-performance "motor". An eagerly anticipated model among devotees of the brand with the winged B, and a genuine collector's item for all connoisseurs of fine mechanical chronographs and aviation.

In 2009, Breitling laid a major milestone in its history by joining the exclusive circle of the rare watch companies to have their own mechanical chronograph movement. This was a logical culminating point for a brand that is one of the leaders in this complication and has played a crucial role in its technical development through several key inventions: the first independent pushpiece (1915); separation of the stop/start and reset functions (1923); creation of the second independent pushpiece for zero-resetting (1934); and the launch of the very first selfwinding chronograph (1969). Caliber 01, the first movement entirely developed and produced in the Breitling workshops, was first used to power an exclusive new version of the leading Chronomat model, duly named Chronomat 01. Breitling now introduces it within another watchmaking icon, the famous Navitimer which proudly embodies the brand's aeronautical vocation.

Breitling Caliber 01: a high-performance movement  assembled in a revolutionary manner

Featuring an original architecture, the selfwinding Caliber 01 chronograph movement is the crowning achievement of the longstanding quest for precision and reliability that has consistently governed Breitling "Instruments for professionals". Equipped with a column wheel, a vertical coupling clutch and an over 70-hour power reserve, it was designed to ensure maximum functionality and secure use. It features several innovative characteristics aimed at facilitating its production and its operation, including a patented self-centering device for the resetting hammers and an exclusive index-assembly system enabling swift personalized adjustment of the watch according to the wearer. This exceptional caliber is also distinguished by its pioneering production and assembly mode. Inspired by an avant-garde concept used in other cutting-edge sectors, Breitling has developed an industrial chain-production formula that revolutionizes traditional movement assembly. Each caliber is individually monitored by an ultra sophisticated computer program that automatically directs it towards the appropriate workstation, along a route alternating fully automated workstations with others requiring manual intervention. All the adjustment phases are integrated within this process, in such a way that upon emerging from the chain, each Caliber 01 is ready to face up to the stringent tests conducted by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC) - a guarantee of authentic large-scale production reliability.

By immediately choosing to specialize in chronographs and timers, Leon Breitling, who founded the company in 1884, soon gained favor among aviation pioneers who needed sturdy, high performance instruments. During the 1930s, the brand launched its first onboard chronographs, which were to equip World War II fighter planes, before accompanying the boom in air transport in the cockpits of the finest propeller planes, and later jets. In 1952, the "official supplier to world aviation" created a "wrist instrument" specially designed for pilots and other aeronautical professionals. Equipped with a circular slide rule, the Navitimer chronograph serves to handle all calculations linked to airborne navigation: average speed, distance covered, fuel consumption, rate of climb or descent, conversions from miles to kilometers or nautical miles, etc. Chosen as the official watch by the AOPA (Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association), the world's largest association of its kind, the Navitimer has asserted itself as the most iconic Breitling model - and a cult object for all aviation enthusiasts. In its "Cosmonaute" version with a 24-hour graduation, it accompanied Scott Carpenter on his orbital flight aboard the Aurora 7 capsule (1962), thus becoming the first space going wrist chronograph. Continuously made since 1952, the Navitimer is the world's oldest mechanical chronograph still in production. By now adopting an "in-house" caliber, it is writing a new chapter in a rich history of major achievements and thrilling moments.

The Navitimer Caliber 01 special edition is available in two limited series of 2,000 in steel, and 200 in red gold, each bearing an individual number engraved on the side of the case middle. The case features a diameter slightly broader than that of the series produced Navitimer (43 mm compared with 42 mm). The dial which is made using the "epargne" process on a solid silver or gold base - a sophisticated technique endowing the indications with peerless radiance and readability - is exclusively available in a classic black version with applied hour-markers. Breitling's winged symbol in gold is slightly raised to stand out from the watch face. The transparent sapphire caseback, a rare feature on Breitling models, provides a unique opportunity to admire the original architecture of Caliber 01 with its column wheel, its oscillating weight and its entirely performance oriented design. An impressive set of characteristics that are bound to delight devotees of exclusive models - before the series-produced Navitimer models equipped with 100% Breitling calibers take flight next spring.

In 125 years, Breitling has launched a number of stellar models intended for pilots, including the famous Navitimer with its circular slide rule capable of handling all the essential calculations relating to airborne navigation. Today, the privileged partner of aviation is pursuing this tradition with a new model that draws upon the full potential of cutting-edge electronics. Designed for intensive professional use, the Chronospace boasts an impressive array of functions that are useful to pilots - 1/100th of a second chronograph with split times, alarm, countdown, dual timezone display with independent alarm, 24-hour military time, Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), perpetual calendar - all powered by a chronometer-certified Breitling SuperQuartz™ movement that is ten times more accurate than an ordinary quartz caliber.

The large dial is distinguished by its oversized hands, along with luminescent hour-markers and large 3 and 9 o'clock numerals. To guarantee optimal readability by day and night, the LCD screens are equipped with a high-performance NVG-compatible backlighting system. The double caseback is designed to amplify sound signals up to a level of 90 decibels. The circular rack-and-pinion mounted slide rule is easily and accurately rotated using the star-shaped bezel - an original and extremely ergonomic design. The Chronospace is available on various wristbands, including a new bracelet in satin-brushed woven steel with a little vintage touch, and a sporty looking perforated rubber strap. An exceptional instrument for exceptional feats.

Movement:

Breitling Caliber 78, officially chronometer-certified by the COSC, SuperQuartz™ (thermocompensated quartz), analog and LCD 12/24-hour display (NVG compatible). 1/100th of a second chronograph with split times, alarm, countdown, dual timezone display with independent alarm, Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), perpetual calendar, battery end-of-life indicator.

Case:

steel. Water-resistant to 5 bars. Bidirectional rotating pinion bezel (slide rule). Cambered sapphire crystal, glareproofed on both sides. Screwed in caseback, with resonance chamber.

Dials:

Volcano black, Mariner blue, Tungsten gray, Stratus silver.

Straps/Bracelet:

leather, rubber Diver Pro, rubber Ocean Racer/woven steel Aero Classic.

WORLDTEMPUS - 29 March 2010

Breitling presented its solution to the ETA ebauche crunch by introducing its own new chronograph movement in 2009: Caliber B01. "We wanted to be in the pilot's seat," explains vice-president of Breitling Jean-Paul Girardin.
Last week, for the first time, Girardin opened the doors to this state-of-the-art facility manufacturing the movement to journalists. At this time, Girardin explained that Breitling was one of the few brands able to retain its entire workforce during the economic crisis of 2009. Though the brand did not hire any new employees during these months, it also did not let any go. And this was in great part thanks to the advent of Caliber B01, Breitling's new in-house automatic chronograph movement.
The production of the movement, as well as the assembly of the ETA 2892 and 7750 calibers still utilized in familiar models, take place in a purpose-built facility christened Breitling Chronometrie. The brand expects to make 50,000 pieces of Caliber B01 this year—which should come as no surprise when you've heard that the new movement was the brand's immediate bestseller upon introduction last year.
Caliber B01 was designed in the space of five years by a five-man-b team in Geneva making up Breitling Technology; at the same time Breitling set up its Chronometrie in La Chaux-de-Fonds to handle manufacturing and assembly. A number of Caliber B01's 346 components are supplied—like the reliable Nivarox escapement that keeps its time. But a number are also manufactured right on-premises by state-of-the art machinery that is to a great degree automated. The efficient assembly process is more automated than one generally sees in mechanical watches, right down to the oiling procedure and the laser attachment of the balance spring to its collet. A well thought-out laboratory tests not only the assembled movements, but also analyzes potential assembly or C.O.S.C. problems in advance and even performs research into use of new materials and lubrication. A separate room contains its own five-axis CNC machinery, automatic lathes, and wire spark erosion machine for quick prototyping. And true to its flight path, Breitling even employs eleven people alone for quality control—testing every batch of every component.

1962. The space race was well under way

Already a supplier to civilian and military aviation, Breitling naturally took a keen interest in this new human adventure. Based on the Navitimer chronograph, the brand's technicians developed the Cosmonaute, a space-going version of this instrument indicating the daily 24 hours in a single sweep of the dial. Given the extremely relative nature of day and night in space, this configuration prevents possible confusion between midday and midnight.

For its 125th anniversary, Breitling has chosen to issue a limited series of the model that became the first wrist chronograph to experience space travel. Only 1,000 of these Cosmonaute watches will be produced, all equipped for the occasion with an original version of the intriguing 24-hour dial. Further accentuating its distinctive character and in tribute to a modern design icon from the 1960s, the Cosmonaute Limited Edition is fitted exclusively with the rigid perforated Air Racer bracelet.

Using the specific features of the iPhone 3.0 version, Breitling offers the Chronomat B01 application for iPhone and iPod touch, designed to provide a functional and detailed presentation of its latest chronograph.

A precise description, technical data, a portfolio, a video and 360° views give an extremely clear idea of the exceptional nature of the new Chronomat B01.

The application is also equipped with a unique configurator serving to visualize hundreds of possible customized versions of the model.

The point-of-sale location-tracking system enables all devotees of mechanical chronographs to locate the nearest authorized Breitling retailers.

After the Super Constellation, Breitling welcomes into its fleet another legendary aircraft, the DC-3. By supporting the restoration and relaunch of a 1940 plane, the "brand with the winged B" confirms its determination to preserve the aviation heritage - a stirring adventure with which its own history is so closely entwined and which thrills the hearts of so many enthusiasts.
Commissioned by American Airlines, the Douglas DC-3 twin-engine propeller aircraft first took off in 1935, at a time when Breitling was supplying civilian and military planes with its first onboard chronographs. Thanks to its peerless performances, its sturdiness, its low fuel consumption and its long-range capabilities, it revolutionized the world of air transport by enabling for the first time reliable and profitable commercial flights with a minimum of stop-overs. At the end of the 1930s, most of the major American and European companies were equipped with this model.
During World War II, the DC-3 - particularly in its so-called Dakota version - played a key role in troop transport. Nicknamed "the landing plane", it experienced its moment of fame in June 1944 by serving to tow countless gliders and dropping thousands of paratroopers on the coasts of Normandy. General Eisenhower paid it a glowing tribute by defining it as one of the four "pillars" of the victory in Africa and in Europe.

This legendary plane will be celebrating its grand comeback at the 2009 Paris- Le Bourget airshow, June 15th - 21st, a prestigious event with which Breitling enjoys a longstanding association. It will be presented on the tarmac of the airport, at the foot of the Breitling booth located in a prominent position on the terraces of the Air and Space Museum.
Thanks to its perfectly equipped cabin, the Breitling DC-3 will subsequently be used for passenger flights intended for the brand's customers, retailers and guests. It will also take part in various aeronautical events. When peace returned, the DC-3 pursued its brilliant career in civil aviation until the early 1950s, a period when Breitling was establishing itself among the major manufacturers and airlines as the "official supplier to world aviation". No less than 13,000 of these planes were built.
The DC-3 HB-IRJ flying the Breitling colors was produced in 1940 for American Airlines. Despite clocking up 75,000 flight hours, it has been kept in exceptionally good condition. Purchased in the United States and restored in Miami, it was then transported to Europe via Quebec, Newfoundland, Greenland and Iceland.

A specialist in chronographs and technical watches, Breitling has also shared the finest hours in the conquest of the skies. For the very first time, a magnificent new publication tells the detailed story of this grand adventure so inseparably entwined with that of modern times. Based on new historical research and enlivened by more than 450 images, including numerous original documents, Breitling The Book is destined to become a must-have reference work for brand lovers, as well as for devotees of watchmaking, chronographs and aviation.
Breitling The Book describes 125 years of passion for chronographs, reminding readers of the crucial role Breitling has played in the technical development of this type of watches - from the first pocket watches created by Leon Breitling from 1884 right the way through to today's "instruments for professionals", and along the way the invention of the first independent pushpiece in 1915, the separation of the "stop/start" and "reset" functions in 1923, the invention of the second independent pushpiece in 1934 and the first selfwinding chronograph in 1969.
The account also highlights the close links between the brand and the aeronautical world ever since the era of the great aviation pioneers. A combination of words and pictures provide a chance to discover the famous onboard chronographs that gained Breitling a special place in airplane cockpits from the 1930s onwards and enabled it to accompany the boom in airline transport by becoming "official supplier to world aviation". Not to mention the numerous wrist instruments intended for aviators, including the famous 1952 Navitimer that quickly became a cult model for pilots the world over.

Published at a time when Breitling has taken a decisive new step by launching its own mechanical chronograph movement, this book also outlines the chief characteristics of the new Caliber B01 which represents the culmination of a longstanding quest for excellence, performance and independence.
Past, present and future thus unite in a shared momentum fueled by "the chronograph spirit, the Breitling spirit".
Written in a lively tone, extremely well documented and presented in an original and pared-down graphic design style, Breitling The Book is available in five languages: French, English, German, Spanish or Italian. It can be ordered via the www.breitling-the-book.com website or click on the link below:

English - French - German - Italian - Spanish