The Breitling Watch Blog

Breitling Unleashes a new Digi-Analog caliber, the exclusively in-house designed B50, with the new Breitling Professional Cockpit B50 watch. This isn’t the first watch named “Cockpit” to come out of the Breitling Brand, but its the first that’s really designed to be worn in one! Very cool with a plug-in that allows you to hook it up to a computer USB.

The ultimate pilot’s instrument
Breitling once again establishes itself as the partner of aviation by launching a new multifunction electronic chronograph equipped with an “in-house” analog and digital-display caliber – a brand-exclusive development. Designed to accompany aviators in all their missions, this Cockpit B50 innovates through its broad range of functions, its user friendliness as well as its ultra-legible display mode. The new instrument for pilots.

Equipped with a sturdy and light case in natural or black carbon-coated titanium, the Cockpit B50 chronograph flaunts a resolutely technical, powerful and masculine appearance – making it the archetypal authentic Breitling “Instrument for professionals”. It is however distinguished first and foremost by the performances and the functionality of its exclusive new Breitling Caliber B50: a SuperQuartz™ movement ten times more accurate than standard quartz and chronometer-certified by the COSC (Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute), the highest benchmark in terms of reliability and precision.

Innovative functions
Designed for professionals, with a strong focus on aviators, the Cockpit B50 combines all the functions most useful in undertaking the most extreme missions. In addition to the chronograph with split-time and flyback capabilities, it notably features a second timezone display, a perpetual calendar, two alarms in buzzer and/or vibrate mode, a lap timer function as well as a countdown complete with alarm. Breitling has also equipped it with innovative functions such as an electronic tachometer, a countdown/countup system serving to switch directly from a countdown to a timing operation, as well as an eminently aviation-style “chrono flight” device which is useful for recording flight times by memorizing departure and arrival times as well as the date. Another special feature is its use of UTC (Coordinated Universal Time, the aviation reference time) as the time base, which enables the Cockpit B50 to ensure smooth juggling with timezones. The swap function can also be used to do switch between the time displayed by the hands and that of the second timezone shown on the screen, simply by pressing a pushpiece, with the system automatically taking account of a potential date change.

Simple and logical use
To facilitate the handling of its multiple functions, the Cockpit B50 is equipped with a particularly simple, logical and consistent control system, featuring function-selection via crown rotation and activation/deactivation by two pushpieces. This impeccable user friendliness is reinforced by the interface messages appearing on the screens and guiding the user through the various operations. In addition to “pilot” mode, the movement also offers a “sport” mode that temporarily reduces the number of functions available. A double press on the crown momentarily “parks” the hands so as to provide a clear view of both screens.

Ultra-readable displays
The Cockpit B50 also innovates with its digital displays guaranteeing optimal visibility in all circumstances. The two white-on-black liquid crystal (LCD) screens are equipped with a backlighting system that can be activated at a press on the crown. This high-tech device makes the indications stand out by day or night with the utmost luminosity and clarity. A true instrument panel on the wrist. A dedicated ‘tilt’ function automatically activates the backlighting when the user bends his wrist by more than 35° – an extremely practical system when at the controls of a plane or the wheel of a car. In another striking new feature, the digits are oversized and the 12 o’clock screen comprises 7 digits of 14 segments each, enabling a full display of all letters in the alphabet and thus enhanced interactivity.

A rechargeable battery
To provide the energy required for this high-performance lighting, Breitling has developed an innovative miniaturized rechargeable battery system. Recharging may be done via the electricity grid or through a USB port on a computer. Safety is reinforced by various state-of-discharge alert levels, including stuttering and stopping of the central chronograph seconds hand, as well as a “standby” mode by means of which the apparently inactive movement nonetheless maintains its temporal reference in order to be correctly restarted on demand without any need for adjustments.

Cockpit B50: the new benchmark for pilots.

One of the more interesting timepieces that Breitling has announced in the last few months is this Transocean Chronograph Boutique Edition. It features an interesting hunter-style exhibition case back which has been used quite a bit by Longines in their Weems editions watches and is often seen on pocket watches, albeit without the sapphire crystal covering the movement.

This is a very cool limited run model of 2000 pieces that will be available exclusively at Breitling Boutiques. Its not available yet, but when it is it looks like a great excuse to get your butt over to one and check it out!!

Specs:
Case: Steel
Case back: Hunter-Style Exhibition Sapphire
Movement: Breitling 01
Power Reserve: 70 Hours
Water Resistance: 100m
Diameter: 43mm
Bracelet: Ocean Classic
Lug Width: 22mm
Reference Numbers: AB0154

A new Breitling model announced – the Transocean 38 featuring a smaller 38mm case. They don’t really say the watch is marketed towards women, but the small case size combined with Mother of Pearl and diamond options leads me to believe that its definitely more of a ladies timepiece. Like the SuperOcean Heritage 38 before (which I actually bought for my wife), this one will probably not be a huge hit with most male buyers.

First-class travel, Breitling style

Breitling reinterprets the pure and original spirit of its Transocean collection in a refined model featuring a twin-aperture calendar and small seconds. A new classic for all wrists.

In 1958, Breitling accompanied the boom in air travel by launching an ultra-precise, anti-shock, anti-magnetic, super-water-resistant watch named Transocean. This selfwinding model with its elegantly understated style rapidly asserted itself as one of the brand’s stellar products, endowed with all the expertise acquired in the service of aeronautics. As the advert ran at the time “Men who have faith in the mighty liners of the sky…will trust the Transocean. For behind every Breitling wristwatch lies the experience of aviation precision”. After more than 55 years in flight, the “contemporary classic” Transocean collection still reflects the spirit of long-distance travel and luxury long-haul aircraft – as admirably embodied in the new Transocean 38. The steel case fitted with a slim beveled bezel and slender lugs features a 38 mm diameter that is ideal for all wrists. The dial bears applied hour-markers and the gold B initial that used to serve as the Breitling logo. The date appears in an extremely readable manner through a twin aperture at 12 o’clock, nicely counter-balancing the small seconds at 6 o’clock. The caseback bears the historical Breitling symbol with its stylized embossed planes. On the technical side, the Transocean 38 delivers even better performances than its illustrious predecessor. Its case is water-resistant to 100 m (330 ft), equipped with a sapphire crystal glareproofed on both sides, and houses a selfwinding movement certified by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC) – the highest official benchmark in terms of precision and reliability. The Transocean 38 comes with a black or silver dial. It is fitted with an extremely original steel mesh bracelet in tribute to the original models, a perforated bracelet or a leather strap. For feminine wrists, Breitling also offers a mother-of-pearl dial (with or without diamond hour-markers) as well as an optional gemset bezel. Technically and aesthetically first-class style.

The young Frenchwoman, who is both the reigning aerobatics world champion and an accomplished airline pilot, joins the flight team of the brand with the winged B, at the controls of her aerobatics Extra 330SC plane. A partnership under the banner of passion, style and high performance.

“I am proud to fly for this legendary brand which has contributed so much to the development of aeronautics and is the representative par excellence of the aviator’s watch” enthuses the champion. “I am also proud of being the first woman to join the official Breitling pilots and thus defend the position of woman pilots.” Born in Grenoble in 1982, Aude Lemordant watched glider tugs flying over her home throughout her childhood. As a result of this, she decided that she too would go and make small talk with the clouds. At the age of 14, she had her introduction to the air and at 16, obtained her glider license. In 2000, she passed her pilot’s license in California. Deciding that the cockpit was the “best possible office” she decided to make it her profession. After graduating from ENAC (Ecole nationale de l’aviation civile – National School of Civil Aviation), she joined Air France, becoming an airline pilot on Airbus at the age of 22 and today flying Boeing 777s. However, her training also enabled her to discover another form of aviation in the shape of aerobatics, which thrilled her right from the start. She began competing in 2005 and swiftly climbed the ranks, joining the French team in 2009, becoming champion of France and world vice-champion in 2011, followed in 2012 by French championship and European freestyle championship titles. Once again crowned French champion in 2013, she also became world champion in the singles, freestyle and team categories. Since then, Aude Lemordant has chosen to fly a new plane – the Extra 330SC, personalized in Breitling colors: a technological gem that she first of all needed to “take in hand”. This challenge has been visibly overcome, since she again won the French championships in June 2014 and is determined to defend her greatest title at the 2015 world championships, which will take place in France. With her 6,500 flying hours, her acrobatic prowess at the controls of her Extra 330SC plane and her professionalism as a long-haul airline pilot, Aude Lemordant perfectly embodies the entire world of Breitling in its ongoing role as the privileged partner of aeronautics. A world dedicated to achievement, performance and surpassing oneself.

I don’t know if a revamp or “Fresh Momentum”, as Breitling calls it is the right description, but the Colt has returned to its roots with a design that resembles the previous Breitling Colt models complete with Rider Tabs and an Automatic model.

The new Colt will be available in a Colt Quartz Chronograph version, regular Colt Quartz, Colt Automatic, and Colt Lady models.

From Breitling:

“Breitling has redesigned the entire Colt collection while reviving its original spirit: that of a military watch combining peerless performance with an efficient and understated style.

Colt was born in the 1980s and initially intended for the armed forces – like other Breitling watches such as the Navitimer and the Chronomat – before winning over a broad audience through its sturdiness, its reliability and its readability. It has since established itself as the most accessible Breitling model. The newly revamped Colt features a design that reinterprets all the essential assets on which it has built its success. The broad unidirectional rotating bezel with a satin-brushed finish and engraved hour-markers is adorned with four rider tabs – a Breitling signature feature – ensuring excellent handling as well as enhanced protection of the sapphire crystal which is glareproofed on both sides. The polished steel case, water-resistant to 200 meters (660 ft), is equipped with a large screw-locked crown with protective reinforcements. The black, blue or silver dials are enlivened by a fine circular raised motif and their readability is enhanced by oversized hands and hour-markers, accentuated by a luminescent coating. The satin-brushed steel bracelet may be replaced by a rubber or leather strap. The new Colt comes in a range of four models: a 44 mm watch with a mechanical selfwinding movement certified by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC) – the highest official benchmark in terms of reliability and precision; a watch and chronograph equipped with SuperQuartz™ movements, ten times more accurate than standard quartz; and a Lady watch with a smaller diameter and an optionally gemset bezel. All of which brings fresh momentum to this collection with a youthful, dynamic and winsome attitude.”

Fresh Momentum for the Colt Video: