The Breitling Watch Blog

Breitling has returned to its roots and released a new watch, the Breitling Galactic 44. There’s nothing “galactic” about this watch at all as far as I’m concerned, and that’s a GOOD thing! Right on Breitling! Bringing back one of my favourite Breitlings of all time with a revamped 44mm Breitling Headwind. They stuck to their classic bezel style, with the smoother Galactic style rider tabs, but the tried and true familiar bezel markers of the original Headwind.

The uber-sporty watch

The Galactic collection by Breitling welcomes a new large-sized model featuring a 44 mm diameter and a satin-brushed bezel with rubber-inlaid hour-markers. Exactly what it takes to reinforce its ultra-sporty, technical look.

In 130 years, Breitling has asserted itself as the specialist of chronographs and instruments for professionals. But this expertise also enables it to create watches reflecting the same performance-oriented spirit, such as the Galactic. This uber-sporty, versatile and sophisticated model is intended for all those whose activities do not necessarily require chronograph functions, but who are nonetheless looking for a watch that is at once sturdy, accurate and reliable. After a 41 mm selfwinding version and two 36 and 32 mm ladies’ models, the collection is now enriched with a new large-sized watch. In adopting a 44 mm diameter, the Galactic has strengthened its technical and masculine appeal. The unidirectional rotating bezel takes on a satin-brushed finish along with black rubber-inlaid hour-markers, while the dial features two apertures for the day and date at 12 and 3 o’clock respectively, along with a compass scale and a graduated scale with 1/100th of an hour divisions on the inner bezel. The large hands and hour-markers enhanced with a luminescent coating guarantee excellent readability, reinforced by the sapphire crystal glareproofed on both sides. The polished steel case is water-resistant to 200 m/660 ft and equipped with a screw-lock crown protected by reinforcements. It houses a selfwinding movement chronometer-certified by the COSC (Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute), the highest benchmark in terms of reliability and precision. The new Galactic 44 is available with a black, blue or silver dial, fitted with a choice of steel bracelet or a strap in leather, crocodile leather, rubber or military-type fabric. An uber-sporty watch for fans of performance.

It was only a matter of time – Breitling would be launching a Blacksteel Cosmonaute that looks awesome with its all-black dial and subdials to go with the brushed blacksteel case. Breitling’s successful Blacksteel watches have now invaded the Navitimers! When it was revealed at Basel, the watch was mounted on a Ocean Racer rubber strap, which I’m not sure if I personally liked the presentation. Perhaps with the inevitability of the Navitimer Blacksteels to come, they should make a blacksteel oriented strap or bracelet that suites the Navis.

From Breitling:

“Intersidereal darkness

The first spacegoing wrist chronograph enters a new orbit with an exclusive and technical all-black version issued in a worldwide 1,000-piece limited series.

On May 24th 1962, Lt Commander Scott Carpenter orbited the earth three times aboard the Aurora 7 capsule. On his wrist was a Navitimer featuring a 24-hour graduation serving to distinguish day from a night – an absolute necessity in space. This space conquest pioneer joined the Breitling collections under the name Cosmonaute. 50 years after its first flight in 2012, the Navitimer Cosmonaute is pursuing its odyssey in a new and highly original version featuring a case in black steel created using a highly resistant carbon-based coating. The dial and counters of this high-performance chronograph are in the same black color, enhanced by luminescent indications and small red hands. The Manufacture Breitling Caliber B02, chronometer-certified by the COSC (Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute) features two key characteristics true to the original model: a manual winding system and a 24-hour display.The famous Navitimer circular slide rule enables pilots to perform the entire range of calculations relating to airborne navigation directly on the wrist. The engraved caseback bears the official Aurora 7 mission insignia. Issued in a numbered 1,000- piece limited series, the Navitimer Cosmonaute Blacksteel is fitted with a black rubber strap further enhancing its tech-savvy, masculine appearance.”

According to the Wall Street Journal, Vianney Halter’s New Deep Space Tourbillon is the most important watch of 2013. Priced at $170,000, this watch is one of the most amazing pieces of horological creativity that I have ever seen. Check out the WSJ’s video below on a bit of a background on Vianney Halter and how he came to become one of the most creative and well respected names in the Watch Industry today.

The tourbillon mechanism rotates on 3 axis or dimensions, and also tells time which encompasses our real world concepts of 3 dimensions and the fourth dimension of time.

General specs:
46mm Diameter
10mm Case Height, 20mm Including Domed Crystal
Case Material: Titanium

Video Link: http://live.wsj.com/video/the-most-important-watch-of-2013/62A235B4-BF3A-4BA0-B500-21048E3B3C30.html#!62A235B4-BF3A-4BA0-B500-21048E3B3C30

The Girard-Perregaux Sea Hawk, a staple in the world of Dive Watches, was recently given a facelift, and now is launching in ceramic as well. Just released at Basel 2013, this iconic dive watch from GP will now be available in a sleek, black ceramic case. The Chrono Hawk, the non-diver variant of the Hawk will also be available in ceramic, and features the same sleek case but has a chronograph function with no dive bezel.

Sea Hawk Ceramic

Case Diameter: 44mm
Case Material: Ceramic
Water Resistance: 300m
Movement: GP03300-0074 With Power Reserve Indicator

Chrono Hawk Ceramic

Case Diameter: 44mm
Case Material: Ceramic
Water Resistance: 300m
Movement: GP03300-0076 With Chronograph

Neuhaus has released a new watch, the Janus Minimal Limited Edition. A very cool Unitas-based piece that is limited to 99 pieces, and minimalist in design. Sounds like the case is the same as the Janus Doublespeed, which is a 44mm Stainless Steel case, Water resistant to 50m, 10.7mm thick, with a 24mm Lug spacing. Neuhaus watches are hand assembled in Germany.

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