The Breitling Watch Blog

Breitling launched the long awaited two new XL sized Navitimers with in-house B01 and B04 movements, the Navitimer GMT and the Navitimer 01 46MM. Presumably, the Navitimer GMT will replace the Navitimer World eventually. GREAT moves from Breitling.. thes two pieces are much anticipated!

An icon in great shape
Breitling begins a new chapter in the epic saga of its famous Navitimer aviation chronograph by launching a reinterpretation of the classic model in a larger diameter, as well as a travel version featuring revolutionary user friendliness. These two new variations on a legendary watch are both equipped with high-performance chronometer-certified Manufacture Breitling movements.

In 1952, Breitling created a ‘wrist instrument’ purpose-built for pilots and other aviation professionals. Equipped with a circular slide rule, the Navitimer serves to handle all calculations relating to airborne navigation. This chronograph unique in its kind and featuring an ultra-technical, original yet elegant design, soon established itself as the most iconic Breitling model and a cult object for all passionate aeronautical enthusiasts. A gilt-edged security. Produced without interruption for over 60 years, this fabled watch is also the doyenne of all mechanical chronographs worldwide – and one of the ten great 20th century watchmaking classics.

Navitimer 46 mm: a larger-than-life take on the legend
New size, new power: the classic Navitimer now appears in a larger 46 mm diameter – an XL look that enhances its presence on the wrist and accentuates the originality of its design while optimizing its readability. These generous dimensions further highlight the famous black dial produced using the “épargne” technique against a pure silver background – a method ensuring excellent readability and stunning radiance. The Navitimer 46 mm is also available with a blue dial featuring tone-on-tone counters. A transparent caseback provides a chance to admire Manufacture Breitling Caliber 01, probably the world’s finest automatic chronograph movement, entirely developed and produced in the Breitling Chronométrie workshops and chronometer-certified by the COSC (Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute) – the highest benchmark in terms of precision and reliability, and the only one based on an international norm. This larger-than-life take on the legend is fitted with a choice between a steel bracelet and a leather or crocodile strap. It also comes in a 200-piece red gold limited edition with a black dial.

Navitimer GMT: timezone ace
A trustworthy companion of airborne adventurers, the Navitimer has always viewed the world as its playground. The new Navitimer GMT confirms this vocation. Breitling decided to think big in creating this chronograph with a traveller’s soul. User friendliness is guaranteed by the ingenious Manufacture Breitling Caliber B04, clearly visible through the transparent caseback and equipped with a dual timezone system boasting peerless functionality: simply pulling out the crown and turning it forwards or backwards in one-hour increments enables instant setting of the travel timezone date and hour – while maintaining a home-time display in 24-hour mode and without losing any precision in terms of the minutes. The large-format steel case with its imposing 48 mm diameter frames a perfectly readable instrument panel. The new Navitimer GMT comes with two faces – a classic dial in black with silver counters or an all silver version – and may be fitted with a steel bracelet or a leather or crocodile strap. It is also available in a 200-piece red gold limited edition with a black dial.

Travel at its most comfortable

Bentley for the quintessence of British chic. GMT for the revolutionary dual timezone adjustment system. Light Body for the featherweight titanium case. B04 for the high-performance Manufacture Breitling Calibre entirely developed and produced in the Breitling Chronométrie workshops. The new Bentley GMT Light Body B04 extends an irresistible invitation to tear up the road – or whiz through the air – while enjoying a combination of comfort and elegance, efficiency and style.

This authentic wrist sculpture is distinguished by its original and daring design featuring asymmetrical lugs, a black rubber strap, a broad bezel with a knurled motif inspired by Bentley radiator grilles, along with pushpieces built into the ergonomically streamlined profile. A paragon of functionality, this travel chronograph is also distinguished by its unprecedented ease of handling. All the wearer needs to do when juggling with timezones is to pull out the crown and turn it forwards or backwards in one-hour increments. This is achieved without any loss of precision in terms of the minutes, while the date is automatically adjusted to local time in either direction. Another appreciable source of comfort on the road stems from the rotating inner bezel bearing the names of 24 cities and enabling at-a-glance readings of all timezones around the world in relation to the one indicated by the 24-hour hand. The dial bearing an openworked circular pattern reveals glimpses of the automatic B04 chronograph movement, chronometer-certified by the COSC (Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute), as indeed are all engines in the Breitling for Bentley racing team. High-precision travel at its finest.

30 years of the pilot’s chronograph
To celebrate the 30th anniversary of its flagship Chronomat model, Breitling is launching a special series with a resolutely technical and professional look. It encapsulates the entire spirit of this legendary chronograph that has become a reference in the field of pilot’s instruments.

In the early 1980s, Ernest Schneider – to whom Willy Breitling had just sold his firm – learned that the Frecce Tricolori, the Italian airforce aerobatics team, had issued a bid for tender on their first official watch. He accordingly decided to create a brand-new aviation chronograph specifically designed for pilots’ needs. This instrument was developed in close cooperation with the squadron. All details of the construction and exterior were designed to meet the demands of aviation professionals – be it the sturdiness of the case, the profile of the lugs, the readability of the dial and the ergonomic shape of the pushpieces and crown. Won over by this ultra-functional, avant-garde and elegant chronograph, the Italian flying aces voted in its favor and the official Frecce Tricolori watch was launched in 1983.

The leading Breitling collection
Keenly aware of having created an instrument enshrining the brand’s entire philosophy and mission, Ernest Schneider chose to make this model the new flagship of the Breitling spirit. In 1984, the firm celebrated its 100th anniversary in grand style by launching its mainstream Chronomat collection. Over the past three decades, this exceptional chronograph has witnessed an evolution in its aesthetic expressed through a sequence of subtle adjustments – all the while maintaining its immediately recognizable character and style. Breitling has constantly improved its performances in terms of sturdiness, functionality, precision and reliability. In 2009, the Chronomat was the first model in the range to host the new Manufacture Breitling calibers. As the leader of the Breitling collection, it has established itself as an authentic horological classic – the embodiment of a world dedicated to performance, great feats and transcending existing limits.

A Chronomat Airborne special series
To celebrate the 30th anniversary of its best-seller, Breitling has created a special series reviving the design and the spirit of the original Frecce Tricolori chronograph. This Chronomat Airborne is distinguished by its satin-brushed rotating bezel equipped with four raised rider tabs serving to count off flight times, while facilitating rotation even with gloved hands. The result is an edgy, technical and sophisticated appearance. The sturdy steel case with its polished finish is available in two 41 and 44 mm sizes, while the dial comes in two versions: black with silver-toned counters, and silver-toned with black counters. The caseback is engraved with the inscription “Edition Spéciale 30e Anniversaire” (Special 30th Anniversary Edition) as well as the outline of an Aermacchi, one of the ten planes flown by the Italian flight squadron. In keeping with its aeronautical vocation, the Chronomat Airborne is fitted with an ultra-sturdy strap in black military-type fabric, secured by a folding clasp. Onboard is a Manufacture Breitling Caliber 01 selfwinding high-performance movement, chronometer-certified by the COSC (Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute), as indeed are all the engines powering the Breitling fleet. A new chapter in the history of pilot’s chronographs.

Available in two sizes:
Chronomat 41 Airborne with 41mm Case
Chronomat 44 Airborne with 44mm Case

Breitling just launched a 27-minute film on their history and their watches. A very cool movie that you can watch for free on Youtube. Entertaining and informative.

Breitling, the pilot’s watch

Breitling and aviation enjoy passionate and enduring ties. A quest for innovation dedicated to fine accomplishments. A desire to constantly push existing boundaries. A taste for risk and adventure.

From aviation pioneers to Jetman’s feats, from the Navitimer chronograph to the Breitling Jet Team, and from onboard chronographs to the Reno air races – the world’s fastest motor sport –, Breitling has shared all the finest hours in the conquest of the skies.

In 130 years, the firm with the winged B has established itself as the undisputed specialist of pilot’s watches thanks to its accurate, sturdy, high-performance instruments developed for the most demanding professionals.

Enjoy a fresh look at this magnificent adventure in a breathtaking new film!

Breitling has announced a “new” model, the Bentley 6.75 Midnight Carbon. Nothing too special here, with blacksteel case and the slotted dial treatments, in a limited edition of 1000 pieces. Its a very busy looking Breitling, that might appeal to some crowds.

From Breitling:
Sheer class, decked out in black

A tribute to the biggest Bentley engine, the famous 6.75 litre version powering the luxurious Mulsanne limousines, the Bentley 6.75 chronograph ramps up the power and the audacity in an entirely black-clad limited series.

This midnight-hued livery, achieved by a special ultra-resistant carbon-based treatment, enhances the sporting style of the satin-brushed steel case with its taut, dynamic lines and its knurled bezel inspired by Bentley’s famous radiator grilles. The dial also exudes dark elegance, enhanced by a vertical openworked motif offering a glimpse of the movement. The caseback springs its own surprise, since the five-spoke motif reprising the distinctive design of Bentley wheel rims also appears in black against the metallic background. The selfwinding chronograph movement, chronometer-certified by the COSC (Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute), is distinguished by its original “large aperture calendar” system displaying the date in a highly readable manner via two distinct indicators: one for the tens and the other for the units. Issued in a 1,000-piece limited edition, the Bentley 6.75 Midnight Carbon comes on a rubber strap with a central raised motif echoing that of the bezel. Sheer class, clad in black and signed Breitling for Bentley.