The Breitling Watch Blog

One watch that I’ve been wanting for a long time is a Zenith El Primero… not any specific one, just a larger 42mm+ watch with the high oscillating El Primero Movement. 36,000vph, highly accurate and beautiful, this movement was used in the Rolex Daytonas until the early 2000’s.

I’ve come across many Zeniths using this movement and still can’t decide on which one, though the Defy Classic Chrono Aero seems like it might be the ticket. Newly introduced at Baselworld 2007, this is probably my favourite of the Defy Classics, thought the Defy Extremes are very nice in my opinion.

http://forums.timezone.com/?t=rview&th=789760&goto=2550706

That is a nice watch.. and I can’t stop thinking that I should buy one! With increased pressure to purchase a “Full Ling” (nickname for a larger Breitlings with a 46mm or larger diameter) Its tough to decide what I should buy next… maybe it should be indeed a Motors T as I’ve wanted one for a while. But the El Primero keeps calling my name!

Sometimes when scouring ebay or for sale listings in forums such as Timezone, you will notice that people are selling these “American Airlines” or “15th Airborne” Edition of Breitling watches.. Usually they are Chronomats, Aerospaces, or occasionally B-1’s or Navitimers.

Ever wonder how these custom dialed versions appear? Its nothing special… Breitling does not represent these organizations or companies in any way.. they are simply making custom dials for them at a cost.

Breitlings does custom dials for customers if they will make at least 50 of them.. and the cost of the custom dial is added onto the overall price. This can be done through a dealer, but the minimum of 50 is very strict. Usually these editions go for slightly more than the standard models, as there are collects out there willing to pay a premium on them.

Here are a couple of examples.. one is the Isreali 50th and the other is a Land Rover dial.

I got an email the other day from a fellow who is on the search for another limited edition Breitling that I have never heard. This one is worthy of mentioning because it is a really neat looking watch, and is quite limited in Number. Apparently only 250 of these were made, and it is a brushed Crosswind Special with only 2 subdials, and red second and subdial hands. Very interesting watch. I would really not mind owning one myself. Take a look at this nice LE Breitling here:

http://www.breitlingsource.com/watch_details/Limited_144.html

This is a really cool watch, from one of my favourite watch makers… not necessarily one that I can afford, however. It’s been made for a very long time by the company, and resembles some of the neat stuff that Urwerk is putting out as far as movement is concerned, though the style is nothing like theirs. The AP Starwheels is just an incredbly neat watch that no one ever talks about anymore! Check it out below for a link to Minute Machines:

More info on the Star Wheel

Here’s a quick picture I took of nine of my Breitlings together.. wanted to get a group shot but I take lousy pictures from far away. Don’t know how to take them! Missing the Breitling Cockpit in this one, but otherwise complete. Check it out! Squadron of Breitlings!

We have from top left to right, then bottom left to right:
Navitimer, Aerospace, Chronomat, Wings Automatic, SuperOcean Steelfish, Headwind, Chronomat Evolution, B-1, Chrono Avenger