The Breitling Watch Blog

Perhaps the most notable release from Breitling at Baselworld 2016 is the new SuperOcean Heritage Chronoworks®. The watch features Breitling’s first Ceramic case and Breitling’s new Chronoworks division’s creation – the B01 Chronoworks Movement. The movement features five improvements from the standard B01 movement that allow it to gain power reserve from 70 hours to 100 hours. These improvements include Ceramic Base plate and bridges, silicon wheels, lever and escape wheel, variable inertia balance wheel, seconds pinion with elastic toothing resulting in a lubricant and jewel free design that increases the power reserve by 30 hours. Pretty incredible!

There’s no doubt that there is some impressive engineering and design done with the Chronoworks Movement. However, with all these new innovations from Breitling come a steep price tag. The watch is priced around $40,000 USD! Much higher than the usual price for a Breitling.. only time will see how well it fairs.

Chronoworks Video:

Here’s a glimpse at some of the new watches that Breitling revealed at Baselworld 2016. These pictures were taken by Dale Vito of Ace Jewellers in Amsterdam. Please see the full thread on the forum here: http://breitlingsource.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=60125. We’ll be posting full watch specs and details as they come in!

SuperOcean Chrono 42

SuperOcean (Really like this one)

Navitimer 1884 LE (Kind of a Datora Throwback here)

See some more pics here.

Breitling for Bentley Launches the Bentley GMT B04 S Carbon Body watch, featuring a “super sturdy” case machined out of carbon fiber resin. This is not to be confused with their Midnight Carbon cases which are Blacksteel. These are lightweight pieces with racing-inspiring materials produced in a limited run of 250 watches.

The case has some incredible detail and texture due to the carbon material, which is pretty cool. I am curious how it will hold up over time in terms of water resistance since the case material would be more susceptible to torque and other pressures but it states a 100m water resistance. I have always wondered this about the AP Royal Oak Carbon cases as well.

From Breitling:
Issued in a 250-piece limited series, the Bentley GMT B04 S Carbon Body is distinguished by its resolutely sporty exterior. The carbon case is based on cutting-edge technology already used for the chassis of Formula 1 racing cars, but entirely novel in a watch. The dial is also made of carbon with a visibly woven structure. A fine tribute to Bentley’s motor-racing feats, both past and present. The dual timezone Manufacture Breitling Calibre B04 is distinguished by its unprecedented user-friendliness.

Unlike many other Watch companies out there, Breitling continues to focus on the ultra-large watch market, and why not – this is one segment of the market where they tend to dominate. And what better watch to launch this huge 50mm watch model with than the Avenger line? This new watch, the Breitling Avenger Hurricane, features many new technologies from Breitling, and what better time to announce it than in time for Baselworld 2016.

Featuring a Breitlight® case, this makes the 50mm watch significantly lighter than a titanium or steel watch, so its not as heavy as it would seem. To me it looks and sounds a lot like the “forged carbon” that AP uses in the Royal Oak Offshore. This is what Breitling has to say about Breitlight®:

Extreme performance, through the innovative use of Breitlight®, a world-first achievement on a watch case. 3.3 times lighter than titanium and 5.8 times lighter than steel, but significantly harder, this exclusive high-tech material boasts a number of qualities: exceptional resistance to scratches, traction and corrosion, anti-magnetic, thermal stability, anti-allergic properties – as well as a touch that is warmer than metal and a slightly mottled effect accentuating the originality of the design.

The watch also features the new in-house B12 movement, which is a 24hr Chronograph, modeled after the Original Caliber 12 which features the 24hr manual winding lemania based movement. This new B12 is automatic, however.

Video:

From Breitling:

The superlative-charged Breitling
It immediately flaunts a standout 50 mm diameter. It revolutionizes watchmaking with its ultra-sturdy and ultra-light case made in a futuristic material named Breitlight®. It surprises observers with its Manufacture Breitling movement equipped with a 24-hour military-type display. Close-up on a Breitling built for extremes.

I combed throught the Basel Footage on eBay and selected a few of what I thought were the more interesting videos to give my readers an idea of what it was like at Baselworld and to pick out some of the Breitling related videos as well as other videos that are probably more interesting to Breitling collectors and enthusiasts. Rolex put out a slightly revamped Daytona and a slightly revamped GMT-II Master… nothing too special there. Anyway, take a look at a few of the picks and enjoy!

Breitling Emergency II at Basel 2013:

Breitling for Bentley B06 Motors at Basel 2013:

Breitling Fishtank at Basel 2013:

Rolex Daytona at Basel 2013:

Bell & Ross at Basel 2013:

Bremont Codebreaker at Basel 2013:

Basel 2013 Highlights:

Impressions from Attendants: