I took this watch with me on my trip to Cambodia, and it was a great wearer for that trip. I have always loved the headwind and would really like to get one back into my collection on a pilot strap. While I like the Breitling Rubber, I can’t wear Rubber all the time. It just doesn’t work for me. Great watch though! Hope you enjoy the video review of this fantastic 44mm Pilot watch with the Day-Date complication.

Breitling’s Ambassador, Herbert “The Flying Fish” Nitsch, is aiming to set a new record for free diving. His previous record of 700 feet set in 2007 still stands, but he continues to push his own limits.

From Breitling:
“Herbert Nitsch freedives towards an 800-foot record

Herbert Nitsch, airline pilot and extreme record man, went down in history on June 14th 2007, off the Greek island of Spetses, by freediving to a depth of 700 feet (-214 m). This incredible feat put him way ahead of his nearest competitors and has yet to be superseded. Since then, he has kept right on pushing his limits. Closely linked with Breitling, “The Flying Fish” is currently engaged in the preparatory phase for his next record: freediving to 800 feet (-244 m), scheduled for summer 2012. To test his physique and nerves of steel, he has once again chosen the waters of the Aegean Sea, in the magnificent setting of the isle of Santorini. The highly successful trials have provided the opportunity to check the performance of the “torpedo sled” facilitating the champion’s descent and ascent, complete with its underfoot ballast system, as well as the overhead inflatable buoy for bringing the diver back to the surface – all on a single breath. This is super high-tech and ultra-reliable equipment, exactly like the Breitling that partners his accomplishments. Highly focused on safety, Herbert Nitsch intends to perfect his physical and mental training during the next few months, and finalize the development of the whole procedure of diving to the 800-foot threshold, before setting the “Breitling Extreme 800” record next year. All of which will bring him one step closer to his ultimate objective of breaking the legendary 1,000-foot (-305 m) barrier.”

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Breitling for Bentley releases a watch to commemorate the Ice Speed Record broken by the Continental GTC Supersports. That carbon fibre dial is insane, and the watch definately has very definite Sportscar inspired styling. The watch also features a Titanium case, same as the one featured on the Supersports Lightbody as well as the same color scheme. It also features a Breitling Caliber 27B movement, and a cool Carbon Fiber dial.

The record-breaking tribute watch.

ISR. Ice Speed Record. On February 18th 2011, in the north of Finland, a special version of the Bentley Continental GTC Supersports convertible set a new ice speed record at 205.46 mph (330.695 km/h). In thereby testing its fastest and most reliable car ever in such extreme conditions, Bentley once again proved its supremacy in terms of technology and engine performance. Strapped firmly to the wrist of driver Juha Kankkunen was the new Bentley Supersports Light Body. In tribute to this milestone in automobile history, Breitling for Bentley has created a limited edition of the watch that was part of the record-breaking achievement and named it Bentley Supersports ISR. Embodying a blend of British chic and Swiss expertise, this high-performance chronograph is distinguished by its light and sturdy titanium chassis, its red-accented dashboard-style carbon fiber dial and its raised knurled bezel reflecting the style of Bentley control buttons. Its selfwinding “motor” chronometer-certified by the COSC (Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute) drives a highly ingenious double-counter system and a twin-handed totalizer serving to read off the elapsed hours and minutes at a glance, just as one reads the time on a watch. Issued in a 100-piece limited series, this commemorative watch will be exclusively available to the one hundred privileged purchasers of the Continental Supersports Convertible ISR – the commemorative edition celebrating the original car that accomplished the record-breaking feat, and of which the outline is engraved on the watch caseback.

Specs:

Breitling Calibre 27B, officially chronometer-certified by the COSC, selfwinding, high-frequency (28,800 vibrations per hour), 38 jewels. 1/4th of a second chronograph, central 60-minute totalizer, combined 60-minute and 12-hour totalizer. Calendar.

Titanium Case, 100-piece limited edition featuring a carbon fiber dial. Water-resistant to 100 m. Screw-locked crown. Bidirectional rotating pinion bezel with variable tachometer (circular slide rule). Cambered sapphire crystal, glareproofed on both sides. Diameter: 49 mm.

Undoubtedly a very cool shot and very talented individuals.

“A spectacular flight above the Lake Lucerne, at the heart of Switzerland, featured a gathering of the essential components of the Breitling “fleet”, with the seven L-39C Albatros planes composing the fabulous Breitling Jet Team (the world’s largest civilian aerobatics team flying on jets); the Breitling Super Constellation (one of the world’s last three flightworthy “Super Connies”); the pair of orange Boeing Stearman biplanes carrying the Breitling Wingwalkers performing acrobatic figures in mid-air; and the four colourful Pitt Special S2As of the Breitling Angels flight headed by the MX2 flown by international aerobatics ace Nigel Lamb.”

While not entiredly watch related, Breitling is the main sponsor of the annual Reno Air Races, which have been cancelled this year after Jimmy Leeward fatally crashed into the crowd. Our hearts go out to those who have suffered from this tragedy and lost love ones. Leeward was 74 and flew a modified P-51 named “The Galloping Ghost”.

ON THE OCCASION OF THE 48TH RENO RACES, BREITLING LAUNCHES THE FREE ‘BREITLING RENO AIR RACES’ ANDROID GAME AND UPDATES THE APPLE VERSION THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN DOWNLOADED ALMOST ONE MILLION TIMES!

So it looks like Android users will finally get to play this free game from Breitling, and us Blackberry users are still out of luck. What about making one for the Playbook, Breitling? I’d appreciate it!

Breitling, main sponsor of the National Championships Air Races, the legendary Reno pylon races (Nevada, USA), announces the launch of a free “Breitling Reno Air Races” Android game, capitalizing on the success of the Apple version launched last June and currently approaching the one-million download mark!

An updated edition of the latter is being simultaneously made available in order to further enrich the game for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch (iOS).

Announcing the new Breitling Colt! What do you guys think? I saw some preview pics from a dealer, and I’m still not liking this one so much unfortunately. All of the models in the Colt line are now Quartz, no more rider tabs.

FRONTRUNNER

The same spirit but a new look. Breitling has entirely redesigned its Colt model, a symbol of sturdiness, reliability and performance. A sculptural model carved in steel, the new Colt turns heads with its original styling clearly built for action, achievements and thrills. With its solid construction and its water resistance to 300 meters (1,000 ft) or 500 meters (1,650 ft), it establishes itself as an exceptionally sporty model, a champion and natural frontrunner. Its originality begins with the bezel featuring a taut, sophisticated shape and stamped numerals, and continues with the case echoing the same outline. The dials are adorned with new rounded numerals exclusively designed for this model, with rhythmical motifs and with a play on colors. The steel bracelet reinforces the unique character of this fresh, youthful and dynamic design, while ensuring optimal comfort and sturdiness.

Available in three versions endowed with strong and distinctive characters, including a chronograph and a ladies’ watch, the new Colt is equipped with SuperQuartz™ movements that are chronometer-certified by the COSC (Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute), like all Breitling movements.

RENO AIR RACES

Reno, Nevada. Every year in September, an array of original planes converge on Stead Airport to take part in one of the world’s great aviation venues: the famous Reno pylon races. Flying at dizzying speeds, these aircraft face off on circuits traced out in the desert, just a few feet off the ground. Their motto: “Fly low, go fast, turn left.” As a partner of all the fi nest hours in aviation, Breitling is the main sponsor of this event that is unique in the world – thereby pursuing its mission to perpetuate the competitive spirit, the taste for performance and the fierce quest for victory.

Well, before I was able to get a Breitling Caliber 01-based watch, my buddy picked one up. He snagged a Chronomat 01 with the Roman Numeral Dial… awesome. I love this combo, though I have to admit that the watch has a level of “bling” to it that previous Chronomats did not have. Somehow the new polished bezel really takes the shiny level up.

I love the way the roman numeral dial looks on this model, with the numerals staying upright all the around, as opposed to the way they looked on the older Crosswind. While I still like the Crosswind, I think the Chronomat 01 has a more modern looking dial. I know that there are a lot of old school Breitling fans out there that do not like this new direction that Breitling is taking. While I don’t necessarily approve of all of their recent releases, this is one that has grown on me.

The dial features some of those square elements with faint striping that a lot of the people seem to dislike, but don’t bother me too much.

There she is head on.. as you can see, same double AR coating as always. The 43.5mm diameter, while slightly smaller by .2mm, actually seems to wear a bit larger to me. I am not sure why, but it might have to do with the bezel design and shape.

The new 01 movement is an absolute piece of genius and features just about everything that I could hope for in a Chronograph Movement:

- Amazing power reserve at 70 Hours
- Column Wheel Chronograph
- Auto-Centering Reset Hammers
- Customizable Index Regulator System
- Instantaneous Date

With the 01, Breitling moved back to fully polished bezels. The previous Chronomat and Evo models had brushed bezels, but prior to that, older Chronomats had fully polished bezels as well. As we all know, trends are circular and the Chronomat is no exception. The rider tabs are much more subdued than previous, but still feature the same quality screwed-in construction, as does the bezel.

Breitling also changed the Chronomat 01 Bracelet to have swing lugs rather than fixed lugs. This is common with their larger watches such as the Breitling for Bentley Motors, but new for the Chronomats.

Overall a Killer watch in my opinion. Perhaps not a natural progression for Breitling and while the style may seem a bit forced, I feel that the watch is settling into the majority of its new design statements. I really dig the Breitling 01, and would probably have myself one of them if I weren’t getting so distracted by the multitude of other watches out there catching my fancy!

Breitling’s Jetman is pretty cool, I have to admit, but that guy has some serious cajones flying across the Grand Canyon with a Jetpack!!! Absolutely amazing footage and a great accomplishment. Congrats Jetman and Breitling!

“GRAND CANYON WEST, ARIZONA (May 10, 2011) — 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.”