Replica Breitling Stainless steel Watch, High Quality Breitling Stainless steel Replica Watches

Breitling Galactic Chronograph II (A1336410M512131S)

Thank you for an easy

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

Review by Aisel Roman, From United Kingdom Swanley

Breitling Breitling for Bentley Flying B Chronograph Blue (A4436512.C736)

I love the general elegance of the Breitling Breitling for Bentley watch. However, the shading of some of the pearls detracted from the quality. Some of the lighter pearls looked cheap as if seconds were used to construct the watch.

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

Review by Heather Hills, From United Kingdom Leeds

Breitling Bentley Barnato Chronograph Onyx Black Dial Black Rubber Men's Watch M4139024-BB85SS

beautiful as described. Packed well, and shipped very fast. Excellent Transaction

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

Review by Hambuchen, From Switzerland Les Vieux Pres

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.

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.

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.

It was his date with destiny, and ultimately the uniquely complex certification process could not prevent Yves "Jetman" Rossy from making his historic flight through Grand Canyon West this past weekend.Flying his jet-propelled wing attached to his back, and steering only by movement of his body, Rossy launched from a helicopter at 8,000 feet into the breathtaking blue of the Grand Canyon sky. Skimming the rockscape at speeds of up to 190 mph, Jetman sustained flight for more than eight minutes, 200 feet above the rim of Grand Canyon West. To end the flawless precision flight, Rossy deployed his parachute and gracefully descended to the canyon floor.An earlier flight scheduled for Friday, May 6 was cancelled when final FAA certification was held up due to the difficulty in classifying Mr. Rossy's one-of-a-kind jet-powered wing. By the time the process was complete, sufficient practice flights were unable to occur prior to the scheduled 9 a.m. flight."My first flight in the U.S. is sure to be one of the most memorable experiences in my life, not only for the sheer beauty of the Grand Canyon but the honor to fly in sacred Native American lands," Rossy stated. "Thank you Mother Nature and the Hualapai Tribe for making my lifelong dreams come true."Jetman has already won global acclaim for his successful jet-powered flights cross Lake Geneva and the English Channel. But this was the first time he had ever achieved his dream of flying in the purest sense in the U.S. - and his choice of the Grand Canyon, where eagles soar, reflected the deep significance of the site both to Rossy and to the resident Hualapai people.

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!

Endowed with a look inspired by the 1940s and 50s and featuring a circular slide rule for pilots, the Montbrillant chronograph was named after the building on Montbrillant Street, in the heights of La Chaux-de-Fonds, which housed the Breitling workshops from 1892 to 1979. It was in these premises that the brand developed the inventions and improvements that were to change the face of the wrist chronograph, including the first independent pushpiece (1915), the second independent pushpiece (1934) and the first selfwinding chronograph (1969). This was also where Breitling produced its first onboard chronographs that contributed to its status as "official supplier to world aviation" during the boom of air transport on propeller-powered and subsequently jet aircraft.

Today, the Montbrillant is associating its name with another milestone in the history of the brand with the winged B by hosting Breitling's Caliber 01, the most reliable and efficient of all selfwinding chronograph movements, produced using a revolutionary assembly process. The Montbrillant 01 Limited is issued in twin editions of 2,000 in steel and 200 in red gold, with the individual number engraved at 9 o'clock on the case middle. The Mercury Silver dial features elegant hands, the traditional central hundredth of a second counter, and an 18K gold version of the stylized B that served as the brand symbol until the mid-20th century. A transparent sapphire crystal caseback provides generous views of Breitling's Caliber 01, chronometer- certified by the COSC (Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute), with its column wheel and its original structure. A collector's piece for all those with a love of history in movement.

WORLDTEMPUS - January 14, 2011

Despite the freezing temperatures outside, Breitling was heating things up inside with yesterday's opening of its modern, architecturally impressive, 4,500-square-foot boutique. This, the world's first mono-brand Breitling store, stocks more than 900 exclusive, limited edition and Breitling for Bentley timepieces. The boutique's official opening was a real hot spot thanks not only to the presence of the coveted timepieces, but also to the attendance of celebrities that included superstars John Travolta, Wayne Gretzky, and former quarterback and current TV commentator Boomer Esaison.

The boutique, which features an entire glass window front allowing for a full view of the three-story interior, is a superb blend of future and past to reflect Breitling's energetic spirit and rich history. The walls are decorated with iconic pop-art that recalls aviation in an edgy, romantic manner. On the second floor, in a sitting area, there is an historical mural that depicts Breitling's many endeavors in aviation and adventure. The opposite wall is opposite in feel, as well, with modern digital videos streaming across it.

Marie Bodman, U.S. brand president said, "The strategy is to showcase a complete assortment of timepieces in a manner that thoroughly reveals the brand throughout its history to the present, giving our customers the ultimate brand experience."

First-class takeoff
The Transocean with its modern lines, pure design and refined details admirably reflects the spirit of luxury and prestige of the finest long-haul journeys. Aboard its understated, streamlined fuselage is a high-performance "engine" entirely developed and produced in the Breitling workshops. As a preview celebration of this future classic, the brand with the winged B is introducing a Transocean Chronograph Limited special series fitted with a transparent caseback revealing Breitling Caliber 01 - doubtless the best chronograph movement in its category.

In the 1950s and 1960s, Breitling shared the finest hours in the amazing saga of the conquest of the skies. The famous Navitimer, launched in 1952, rapidly established itself as the cult watch among pilots and other devotees of aviation. The brand supplied onboard chronographs for the propeller planes and subsequently the jet planes of numerous aircraft manufacturers and airlines, thus becoming the "official supplier to world aviation". In 1958, building upon the reputation for excellence acquired by its instruments for professionals, Breitling launched a new model named Transocean. "Men who have faith in the mighty liners of the sky will trust the Transocean, for behind every Breitling wristwatch lies the experience of aviation precision" - ran the slogan. This high-performance shock-resistant, antimagnetic and super-watertight model was also distinguished by its extremely precise chronometer certified selfwinding movement. Endowed with an understated and refined design, it soon became a great success and proudly accompanied the boom in transatlantic travel, in an era when the famous Boeing 707, DC-8 and Caravelle aircraft - three symbols of speed, comfort and security - were bringing continents closer together than ever.

The new Transocean
Breitling pays tribute to this landmark model in its brand history by launching a new collection also inspired by the spirit of great journeys and luxury long-haul aircraft. While the pure lines of today's Transocean are bly reminiscent of the finest classic chronographs of the 1950s and 1960s, the new model reinterprets them in a resolutely contemporary style. The elegant case is distinguished by its perfectly understated design, magnified by a smooth, slender bezel with a beveled profile and streamlined lugs molding the wrist. The epitome of simplicity. The classic round pushpieces, a nod to the first water resistant pushpieces, lend a subtle vintage touch, while the large "baton" type straight-line hands, highlighted by a luminescent substance, convey a more modern aura. A prime example of clarity and readability, the dial features meticulously refined details such as applied hour-markers, counters that are finely recessed and "snailed" (decorated with a spiral motif), and an 18K gold rendering of the initial B that served for many years as the brand emblem.

At the heart of this model lies an exceptional "engine" also designed to keep precise and reliable time throughout the longest journeys, since the Transocean is equipped with Caliber 01, a high-performance selfwinding chronograph movement entirely developed and produced within the Breitling workshop and chronometer certified like all the brand's movements. A model of discreet luxury, fine craftsmanship and technical perfection, the new Transocean is 100% Swiss made, as indeed are all chronographs and wrist instruments bearing the Breitling signature.

A limited edition epitomizing refined luxury
As a prelude to the launch of the series-produced models, Breitling offers collectors and enthusiasts of milestone watches a special edition of this new first-class chronograph. Issued in worldwide series of 2,000 in steel and 200 in red gold, the Transocean Chronograph Limited is equipped with a polished case and bezel and carries the individual number engraved on the case middle. It is available with two dial variations - Mercury Silver or black - and comes fitted with a choice of leather or crocodile leather strap, or a woven steel bracelet. Contrary to future models in the series, to be endowed with solid casebacks, this limited-edition model water-resistant to 100 meters (330 ft) boasts a transparent back serving to reveal the 100% Breitling-made chronograph caliber with its column wheel and its distinctive architecture. An open window on excellence.

Breitling introduces its flagship Chronomat 01 model in a limited series endowed with exclusive finishing and a transparent caseback providing a fascinating view of the 100% in-house made chronograph caliber. A close-up look at elegance and top-flight performances.

First introduced in the spring of 2009, the Chronomat 01 was the first Breitling watch to house Caliber 01, a chronograph movement entirely developed and produced in the brand's workshops. The leading model in the Breitling collections, this instrument is distinguished by the powerful character of its case, its bezel engraved with original numerals, and its distinctive blend of strength and elegance. Available in a number of different versions, it has established itself as the new benchmark in the field of mechanical chronographs - and indeed as the ultimate chronograph.

For devotees of rare and exclusive timepieces, Breitling now offers this iconic model in limited series of 2,000 in steel and 200 in rose gold, all bearing the individual number engraved at 9 o'clock on the case middle. The b and unique design of the case, bezel and bracelet is highlighted by subtle contrasted finishing - satin-brushed on the top and polished on the sides. The black dial is adorned with applied hour-markers. Contrary to the standard Chronomat 01 models, equipped with solid steel or gold casebacks, the Chronomat 01 Limited Edition features a transparent sapphire crystal caseback providing optimal views of the in-house made chronograph movement. An exceptional glimpse of this high-performance motor boasting a column-wheel, an entirely original architectural design, and assembled according to a revolutionary industrial process.

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.

Revue FH - 17 June 2010

A longstanding partner of aviation professionals, Breitling is now associating with an airline pilot who is also a freediving world record-holder on familiar terms with both great heights and extreme depths. Nicknamed «The Flying Fish», Herbert Nitsch is the first and only man to have descended on a single breath to the amazing depth of 700 feet (214 meters).

VIEW THE VIDEO

The story of Herbert Nitsch is first and foremost that of a passion for flying and aviation, which soon led him to take his pilot's license and to work as an airline pilot for the Austrian Airlines group - a profession he still exercises on a part-time basis. It is also that of a passion for water and for deep-sea diving, which has made him one of the greatest contemporary breath-hold freedivers.
The sporting career of this Austrian athlete born in 1970 began quite by chance with what might be considered a sign of destiny. In 1999, on his way to a scuba diving holiday in Egypt, his equipment went missing between two flights. Forced to make do with just a diving mask during his entire vacation, he discovered the fabulous world of freediving - and his own amazing personal ability to hold and control his breath. After two weeks' training, he was already within two meters of the Austrian national record, and two years later, he broke his first international records.
Since 2001, Herbert Nitsch has set around 30 world records in the eight official disciplines approved by the International Association for the Development of Apnea (AIDA), the supreme freediving authority: constant weight; constant weight without fins; free immersion; variable weight; no limit; static apnea; dynamic apnea; and dynamic apnea without fins. In April 2010 in the Bahamas, he established three new records: two in free immersion and one in constant weight. Nonetheless, Nitsch achieved his most glorious feat to date on June 14th 2007, off the Greek island of Spetses, when he reached the depth of 700 feet (214 meters) in the «no limit» category. In order to push the borders of human accomplishments and to surpass his own limits, Herbert Nitsch has now set himself the goal of reaching the legendary 1000-foot barrier - corresponding to the incredible depth of 305 meters on a single breath. With the new Breitling Superocean - a rugged, high-performance watch water-resistant to 5,000 feet (1,500 meters) - he has found the ideal companion in taking up this challenge and ensuring his security as he continues to cultivate his twin passions for great heights and extreme depths.

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.

Black is the keynote here, variously interpreted in the steel case subjected to an ultra-resistant carbon-based treatment; the unidirectional rotating bezel; the large screw-locked crown and non-slip pushpieces; and on the dial base creating a striking backdrop for the white luminescent hands, hour markers and red-rimmed counters. Its original, technical and powerful appearance makes the Avenger Seawolf Chrono Blacksteel limited edition an unmistakable standout model among diver's watches.

But its greatest feat is hidden inside its case, thanks to its magnetic pushpiece system. This exclusive Breitling-patented device serves to activate the controls through the metal of the case, without any direct mechanical contact. This means that whereas most chronographs cannot be used when diving, the Avenger Seawolf Chrono is the only instrument of this type to be watertight and fully operational at a record depth of 1,000 meters (3,300 ft). To accompany professionals to great depths in complete security, this extreme chronograph has been equipped with a decompression valve and a glareproofed sapphire crystal guaranteeing optimal readability in all circumstances.

Its SuperQuartz™ caliber - also exclusive to Breitling - ensures a level of accuracy ten times superior to that of standard quartz movements, enabling it to measure times to within 1/10th of a second complete with split-time indications.
The Avenger Seawolf Chrono Blacksteel, issued in a 2,000-piece worldwide limited edition, is available on a - naturally black - Diver Pro rubber strap or on a perforated Ocean Racer strap. In a nod to Breitling's special ties with aviation, its inner bezel ring is adorned with a windrose serving to memorize a course - both underwater or in the air.

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.