The Breitling Watch Blog

Yet another Ball Watch that looks almost the same as all the others.. While I like Ball watches, I really am waiting for something to stand out and attract me to the brand. While its a nice watch, this one fails to impress me.

BALL WATCH – Storm Chaser DLC Glow

A robust model with unpretentious lines, the Storm Chaser DLC Glow from Ball Watch pays tribute to those courageous men who brave the most extreme conditions in the name of science, storm chasers. Excellent legibility is provided on this all-black chronograph by 66 luminescent gas micro-tubes doubling as hourmarkers. As well as the basic functions, this watch features a tachometer and a rangefinder, both of which can rapidly become life-saving functions when it is a matter of evaluating the distance and speed of a discharge sometimes exceeding 100 million volts. The final tribute to this most unusual of professions is the engraving on the back of Josh Wurman’s Doppler on Wheels. He was the first man to mount a weather radar on his truck to analyse and understand the structure of these phenomena. Limited edition of 1,999 watches.

Movement
Automatic, ETA 7750 calibre

Functions
Hours, minutes, seconds, day, date, chronograph, tachometer and rangefinder

Case
Black PVD stainless steel, 43 mm
Anti-reflective curved sapphire crystal
Back engraved with Josh Wurman’s Doppler On Wheels
Water-resistant to 100 m / 10 ATM

Dial
Black
Equipped with 66 micro-tubes of gas for unparalleled night-time legibility
Hour, minute and small seconds counters at 6, 12 and 9 o’clock
Tachometer scale on bezel, rangefinder on flange
Day and date windows at 3 o’clock

Strap/Bracelet
Black leather with buckle or stainless steel with folding clasp

Martin Braun is back with a new brand after his Martin Braun brand was wound down by parent company Franck Muller Watchland. Martin Braun is back in full force and he will be launching his new line at Baselworld 2011. I’ve always been a fan of Braun’s work and designs as his complications are unique and his styles are sensible. Something that is lacking in the watch market.

ANTOINE MARTIN – Quantième Perpétuel QP01

By establishing the Antoine Martin watch manufactory at Alpnach, in the heart of Switzerland, master watchmaker Martin Braun realised his dream of manufacturing a contemporary movement and creating unique, state-of-the-art modern timepieces. Two years of work were needed to envisage, create and produce this extraordinary watch, with its high aesthetic and technical standards. Among many other surprises are an oversized grade 5 titanium balance and a high-tech silicone escapement requiring no lubricant for extreme efficiency. As well as the talent displayed by the artist-watchmaker, the watch is an aesthetic joy to behold, with the case specifically designed to house the large movement. A work of art that perfectly sets off the manifold displays of its perpetual calendar.

Movement
Hand-wound, AM 39.001 calibre, 39.5 x 8 mm, 18,000 vib/h, 60 jewels, 324 components, 6-day power reserve

Functions
Hours, minutes, day, date, month, leap year, day/night indicator, power-reserve indicator

Case
18K pink gold, 18K white gold or black DLC steel
Anti-reflective sapphire crystal
Water-resistant to 50 m

Dial
Silvered
Day/night indicator at 9 o’clock, leap year at 12 o’clock, centre days and months
Large date window at 6 o’clock, power-reserve indicator on back

Strap
Brown Louisiana alligator leather with 18K pink or white gold folding clasp, or black rubber with black DLC steel folding clasp

ULYSSE NARDIN – Freak Diavolo

The Freak Diavolo follows in the footsteps of the iconic Freak that revolutionized the watchmaking world and incorporates the latest advances in technology, materials and concepts. While the carousel tourbillon, acting as a minute indicator, makes one complete rotation an hour, a flying tourbillon sits above the carousel. Its cage, which makes one revolution a minute, is equipped with an arrow indicating the seconds on a semi-circular dial. Technically impressive with its extended use of silicium, the Freak Diavolo is also extremely attractive with its clean lines, black and charcoal tones, hints of colour and white gold case. The ultimate symbol of unbridled imagination and elegant originality, the Freak Diavolo is faithful to the spirit of inventiveness that defines both this collection and the brand.

Movement
Hand-wound, flying tourbillon, 28,800 vib/h, 8-day power reserve, silicium balance spring and escapement

Functions
Hours, minutes, seconds and power reserve

Case
18K white gold, 44.5 mm
Bidirectional rotating bezel for setting the time
Bezel on back for winding the movement
Water-resistant to 30 m / 3 ATM

Dial
Open-worked
Carousel tourbillon for the hours and minutes, flying tourbillon for the seconds

Strap
Black crocodile leather with folding clasp

RSW – Outland

The Outland saga continues with a new, round model, available in a disk version, like the original, or a chronograph version. Far off the beaten track, its ‘Brutalist’ design pays homage to futurism and to raw geometrical architecture, just like the super computers or the first electronic musical instruments. Available in stainless steel or black PVD steel, this collection is quintessentially masculine, serious yet surprising, mature yet childish.The chronograph version is available in different dial variations, some in a limited edition. As for the disc version, instead of hands indicating the time, it is time itself that moves in relation to a stationary monolithic reference point. The hour, minute and seconds hands are replaced by three disks that rotate to the rhythm of the movement.

Movement
Automatic (disk version), Valjoux 7750 calibre (chronograph version)

Functions
Hours, minutes, seconds (disk version), date and chronograph (chronograph version)

Case
Round, 316L stainless steel or black PVD steel
Gem set (according to version)
Sapphire crystal
Water-resistant to 100 m / 10 ATM

Dial
Black
Disk version: hours, minutes and seconds indicated by disks
Chronograph version: hourmarkers, hands and counters coated with orange Superluminova
Hour, minute and small seconds counters at 6, 9 and 12 o’clock respectively
Date window at 3 o’clock

Strap
Black rubber with folding clasp

CUERVO Y SOBRINOS – Historiador Retrogrado

The Historiador Retrogrado from Cuervo y Sobrinos showcases the brand’s know-how and passion for craftsmanship in a timepiece that embodies the sensitivity and sophistication of 1940’s Havana. The elegant and traditional case recalls one of the brand’s original models, produced between 1940 and 1950. Classic and timeless, the shape and design of this neoclassical watch make it immediately recognizable. Its Clous de Paris guilloché dial is set off by embossed cobalt blue hands, epitomizing the meticulous care that goes into every Cuervo y Sobrinos timepiece. With its day, date and power-reserve functions and traditional time indications, this watch is destined for the sophisticated man, a caballero with natural charm.

Movement
Automatic, CyS 240 calibre, 30 jewels, 42-hour power reserve, rotor with CyS logo

Functions
Hours, minutes, seconds, day and retrograde date

Case
Stainless steel, 40 mm
Double-curved sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both sides
Water-resistant to 30 m / 3 ATM

Dial
Silvered, Clous de Paris guilloché decor
Applied CyS logo at 12 o’clock
Cobalt blue hands
Power reserve at 6 o’clock
Day indicator at 9 o’clock and retrograde date at 3 o’clock

Strap
Brown alligator leather with stainless steel buckle