The Breitling Watch Blog

Archimede launches a new Big(gish) Pilot, the 45mm Automatic pilot, using a automatic swiss ETA 2824-2 Movement. Sort of an in-between size as it is smaller than most of the BP watches that are a 47mm diameter, and bigger than the 42mm varieties. I personally find the 42mm a good size, though a bit more diameter wouldn’t hurt. The 47mm I do find a bit big for my wrists and tastes, so this Archimede might be on my radar, even though I have quite enough pilot watches for now.

Well, full sized is a relative term. Back in the day, 36mm was full sized. Now, 42mm is the minimum that many would consider full sized. For me, 42mm is perfect size.

Enter the new Chronoswiss Chronoscope CM – a Regulator layout, with Mono-pusher Chronograph movement, based on the good ol Enicar that they love so much over there. Caliber C125 movement, and case measures a healthy 42.5mm in diameter! Finally a classic looking Chronoswiss with a big case. The timemaster was big enough, but the dial was not to my liking.

The watch is available in both Rose Gold and Stainless steel variations, and like most Chronoswiss watches has a Sapphire display back. At any rate, the movement is a unique modification by Chronoswiss, and the size is great. Combined with the unique and quintessentially Chronoswiss dial, this watch will be on my short-list.

When A. Lange releases a new watch, it is always of interest as they always do something unique, and the Lange Zeitwork is no exception. This watch has unique Jump hour and Jump minute complications, displayed “digitally” on the dial. The small seconds is located at 6 o’clock and the power reserve indicator is at 12. Healthy size of 42mm in diameter with a thickness of 12.5mm. The dial is solid sterling silver and the crystal is sapphire. This watch has an incredible parts count of 388 parts, with typical A. Lange & Sohne attention to detail.

Movement: Lange caliber L043.1
Manual Winding
66 jewels
18,000 vph
Power Reserve 36 hours
388 parts
18kt white, rose or yellow gold or platinum

iPhone apps are the next big thing for Swiss Watch companies attempting to attract a larger audience and give their Brand followers an additional medium to express their loyalty… enter the world of Apple iPhone Apps! Everyone that’s living outside of a cave knows what the iPhone is, and most people are aware that one of the big selling points of the iPhone is that “there’s an app for that!” Well… now there’s an app for high-end watch collectors too! Three watch brands have recently announced iPhone Apps.. Glycine, Bell & Ross, and Victorinox Swiss Army.

Most of the apps are essentially just virtual watches that appear on your iPhone screen, as in the case of the Glycine and Bell & Ross. The Victorinox one goes a bit further to offer some interesting additional features and Store Locator and News.

Glycine

Bell & Ross

Victorinox

All are available at the iPhone App Store

I’m a little late posting this, but it came out last week. Breitling The Book. Its a huge comprehensive book on Breitling’s History, and is only available from Breitling Directly as far as I know. Price is $175US, $135EU, or $200CHF, and it is available in 5 languages: English, French, Spanish, German and Italian.

There is a big section on the new B01 caliber, and the book in many ways commemorates this event. Beautifully packaged, and bound, this book is a great addition to any collection, and you can bet I will be buying mine. Not sure if it is available at Authorized Dealers, but would be a nice thing to pick up locally if possible.

http://www.breitling-the-book.com/

Just came across this Gerald Genta watch on ebay, and it was unique enough that I decided to write an short article on it. As many of you know, Gerald Genta is the many behind many watch designs, most notably the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak. His own line of watches is extremely unique and uses some high complications with the higher end pieces.

Watch has a relatively small diameter of 40mm, with a crocodile strap and titanium case. Complications include retrograde hours, grand and petite sonnerie, westminster chime, 1 minute flying tourbillon, power reserve indicator. Movement is highly decorated as well… and the best part, retail price is 1.2 Millon bucks!

Wenger Swiss army has a watchmaker’s pocket knife they call the Minathor, which you may or may not know about. They are very cool with several tools that help adjust your watch bracelet, and open case backs and other little things. They are not cheap for a Wenger, and cost $90 plus shipping from IW Watch Magazine. It is definitely a cool little tool and nice little addition to the collection. Now if only Breitling’s promotional knives were made with these!

I have not seen many of these talked about on the forums so I figured it would be good to mention these to anyone that isn`t aware of them. The tools and functions include:

A. Large blade
B. Case-opener
C. Magnifying glass
D. Spring-bar tool
E. Small ruler, graduated in mm
F. Screwdriver No.0
G. Metal file
H. Corkscrew
I. Reamer
J. Flat head screwdriver with safety lock system (pat.)
K. Cap lifter
L. Wire Bender
M. Oil-pike
N. Fine tweezers
O. Tool holder
P. Toolbox with 14 numbered slots:

1. Pin-punch bit 1.2 mm
2. Pin-punch bit 0.80
3. Reserve Slot
4. Reamer for enlarging holes
5. Reserve Slot
6. Reserve Slot
7. Fine fork for spring bar tool
8. Screwdriver blade 1.2 mm
9. Screwdriver blade 0.80 mm
10. Round needle file
11. Reserve Slot
12. Reserve Slot
13. Reserve Slot
14. Phillips screwdriver bit 1.5 mm

Now that`s a lot of features!

Just so you guys know what you are missing out on, all Andrew Michaels owners club members get access to exclusive raffles of cool stuff and also get great added value benefits from Andrew Michaels, an authorized Breitling Dealer, which also happens to be one of the biggest, with a current stock of over 600 Breitling watches!

To join the Andrew Michaels Owners Club (AMOC), just join the Breitling Source Forum and go to the Andrew Michaels owners club section to find out how. Its easy! Only requirement is that you own a Breitling.

Or April Raffle will be for a pair of Breitling Earplugs, a Breitling Lanyard, a Breitling T-shirt, Breitling Swizzle sticks and Breitling Coasters!