The Breitling Watch Blog

I had talked a bit about Linde Werdelin watches previously, since they started catching my eye. Linde has just released a new watch dubbed the SpidoSpeed Chronongraph which uses a similar case to their SpidoLite watches but slightly thicker to accomodate the Chronograph Pushers and with even more skeletonization.

I just met up with a fellow watch collector and got to check out his Linde Werdelin 3 Timer, the first time I’ve had the opportunity to handle one of these magnificent watches in the flesh. Such a beautiful peice, and incredibly unique watch, especially when worn with their facetted armadillo style bracelet. I have already told him to sell it to me when he tires of it!

For now, check out the Linde Werdelin SpidoSpeed Chronograph:

Powered by a Concepto movement (2251 calibre) partially visible through the sapphire crystal case-back, the SpidoSpeed has a specially designed rotor also graphically aligned with the SpidoSpeed case. On choosing a Concepto movement for the new model, Jorn Werdelin said “Concepto movements have attracted a lot of interest in the world of watch making in the last years for their quality, durability, reliability and versatility in terms of finishing and complications. It was very important for us to have an integrated chronograph for the SpidoSpeed so the pushers and the crown would be at the same level.”

Specs:
Movement: Concepto Calibre 2251
Case Size: 44mm x 46mm x 15mm
Sapphire crystal
Water Resistant to 100 meters
MSRP is 11,670 Euros.

Doxa’s eagerly awaited SUB4000T 10th Anniversary watch has finally been released, and is quite the doozy. Massive 47mm case, and 4000ft water resistance aided by the side-mounted helium escape valve. The watch features a Power Reserve indicator that is dubbed “Safe Dive”, which almost makes it sound like a depth meter.

The watch has an oyster style bracelet, which is different from Doxa’s current offerings.

Movement: ETA 2897 Top Grade, 28,800 vph, 21 jewels Swiss Made. 42 Hour power reserve.
Case: Stainless steel
Case diameter: 47.00 mm
Lug width: 22.00 mm
Case height: 16.00 mm
Price: $1890

Following the trend of Limited Editions, Breitling has continued with the Montbrillant 01 Limited, featuring the Display back that will only be available on the Limited edition.

Movement: Breitling Caliber 01, officially chronometer-certified by the COSC, selfwinding, high-frequency (28,800 vibrations per hour), 47 jewels. Over 70-hour power reserve. 1/4th second chronograph, 30-minute and 12-hour totalizers. Calendar.
Case:
Steel or 18K red gold.
Waterresistant to 3 bars.
Bidirectional rotating bezel (slide rule).
Cambered sapphire crystal, glareproofed on both sides.
Transparent sapphire crystal caseback.
Diameter: 40 mm.
Dial: Mercury Silver.
Straps/bracelets: Barenia leather, crocodile leather/ Air Racer or Navitimer (steel only).

“Montbrillant 01 Limited

Breitling is writing a new chapter in the history of the Montbrillant chronograph by equipping it for the first time with Caliber 01, a high-performance movement entirely developed and produced in the company workshops. A limited series completely dedicated to style and accomplishment.

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.”

Download PDF Brochure

This is pretty cool. I have always been a Wayne Gretzky fan, and growing up in Canada you never stop hearing about him. Now he’s joined the Breitling Team as a brand ambassador wearing the Breitling Chronomat B01.

Here’s the Press Release:

Wayne Gretzky joins the Breitling team

The greatest ice hockey player of all time is the new ambassador of the specialist of “instruments for professionals”, in a stellar encounter between two devotees of excellence.

Canadian-born Wayne Gretzky is a living legend in the world of ice hockey. Nicknamed “the great one”, this champion renowned for his professionalism and his fair-play has a record-breaking list of achievements to his credit, including four Stanley Cup Championships, 61 NHL records, and being named 18 times to the All-Star teams. In tribute to his absolute superiority, his famous jersey number, 99, has been retired by all NHL teams.

Within the field of ultra-sturdy and accurate timepieces, Breitling has constantly pushed the boundaries of existing accomplishments. A specialist in technical watches, the brand played a crucial role in the development of the modern chronograph, notably by inventing the first independent pushpiece (1915), the second independent pushpiece (1934) and the first selfwinding chronograph (1969). Its obsession with quality has made it the privileged partner of world aviation. As the only major watch brand to equip all its models with movements chronometer-certified by the COSC, Breitling has also created Caliber 01, the world’s most reliable high-performance selfwinding chronograph movement.

Wayne Gretzky is to star in an advertising campaign intended for North America, along with a plane that has also made its mark on history: the de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver, a classic monoplane manufactured between 1948 and 1967, and which is widely regarded as one of the best utility planes of all time. The champion appears wearing Breitling’s flagship model, the Chronomat 01 featuring an ultrasturdy case water-resistant to 500 meters (1,660 ft), an exclusive, powerful design, and powered by the high-performance Caliber 01… Another “Great One”.

Graham has launched an antiqued Chronofighter dubbed the “Fortress”, and I must say that the look is very nice. I’ve owned a Chronofighter for a while, and I have to admit that the novelty has worn out a bit, but I still enjoy wearing the watch. The cases are very well crafted and the watch in general is quality made. Prices are a bit on the high side but now that they have are using what appears to be an in-house Calibre G1742 movement, prices are more justified. The strap has this awesome look to it, which Graham calls a bomber jacket brown… very appropriate.

Functions: Column wheel chronograph, Date, Time
Movement:Calibre G1742 with Incabloc shock absorber, 28 jewels, 48 hours Power Reserve
Case Diamter: 43mm
Sapphire Crystal, exhibition Sapphire Caseback
Water resistance: 100m

Download the Press Release PDF