The Breitling Watch Blog

This is a little crazy looking for me, but hey, I’m sure there are many folks out there willing to shell out $16,500USD (15,000CHF) for an iridescent watch. Nothing like taking what is already a pretty funky looking watch, and making it funkier!

From Graham:
The multitude of colours is hypnotic. The iridescence of the Swordfish Booster Iris, similar to the most beautiful natural wonders, is eye-catching. Do you know what Iris means in Latin?

Rainbow.

This rainbow effect is not due to pigment but interferences of light. It means that light waves interfere with one another on a surface refracting parts of the spectrum which create the iridescent colors. You have probably already seen it in a soap bubble or in an oil stain on a wet pavement but it results from a high-technological process.

The change of colours is also due to the extremely complex composition of the layers’ oxide. The steel case and components have been placed in big vacuums producing plasma reaction.

This unique coating contains multi-layered structures that provide thin-film interference. The thickness across the surface causes changes of colours in reflected light. Iridescence adds a new dimension to “surface”.

Graham Swordfish Booster Iris

Functions
Chronograph (seconds, 30 minutes and 12 hours counter) Hours, minutes, seconds

Calibre
Calibre G1710, automatic bi-compax chronograph, 28’800 A/h (4 Hz), Incabloc shock absorber
34 jewels
Power reserve: 48 hours

Case
48 mm steel case with black PVD coating and interferential substrate (iridescent effect) with two portholes at 3 and 9 o’clock
Steel right hand control pushers with “Clous de Paris” high grip pattern
Steel bezel with black PVD coating and interferential substrate (iridescent effect)
Flat sapphire crystal, anti-reflective coating
See-through sapphire crystal case back, screwed-down case back

Water Resistance
330 feet / 100 m

Dial
Black mother-of-pearl dial. Hours and minutes black snailed counters. Counters are magnified by 15%.
Skeleton central hands with black tip, black numerals and indexes, black seconds hand, grey hours, minutes counters’ and chrono hands

Strap
Integrated green croco
Black ceramic pin buckle

Price
15’000 CHF

With just 12 pieces to go around, this is a timepiece for the truly entitled (that’s not me). An absolutely stunning masterpiece, like all Urwerk timepieces. If only I had the money….

With its orbiting satellites and arrow-shaped time-indicating torpedoes, the UR-110 ZrN Torpedo is a truly stellar timepiece. Its radiance has been maximized thanks to a coating of Zirconium Nitride on the bezel, which provides the distinctive pale gold hue that gives rise to the “Champagne Supernova” nickname.

Zirconium Nitride is a high-performance ceramic machine tool coating, commonly used for industrial parts and aerospace components. While only a few microns thick, it is extremely hard (2,000 Vickers) and provides superb scratch, wear and corrosion resistance, while exhibiting excellent lubricity and ductility.

The UR-110 ZrN Torpedo is an Édition Spéciale of just 12 pieces, each distinguished by a red satellite hour numeral. Available exclusively from Chronopassion (Paris), Marcus (London), The Hour Glass (Singapore) and Westime (Los Angeles).

Model: UR-110 ZrN Torpedo

Case: Titanium with bezel in 316L sandblasted stainless steel treated with *Zirconium Nitride (ZrN); caseback in titanium; surface finishes micro-sandblasted

Movement: calibre UR 9.01 self-winding, unidirectional winding rotor coupled to twin turbines

Indications: Revolving satellite complication with rotating hour/minute modules mounted on planetary gears. Control board: day/night indicator, “oil change” indicator and running seconds

Dimensions: 47mm x 51mm x 16mm

*Please note that ZrN (Zirconium Nitride) is an industrial treatment that can result in variations in and the colour/hue on the bezel and between individual models.

Announcing the new Breitling Colt! What do you guys think? I saw some preview pics from a dealer, and I’m still not liking this one so much unfortunately. All of the models in the Colt line are now Quartz, no more rider tabs.

FRONTRUNNER

The same spirit but a new look. Breitling has entirely redesigned its Colt model, a symbol of sturdiness, reliability and performance. A sculptural model carved in steel, the new Colt turns heads with its original styling clearly built for action, achievements and thrills. With its solid construction and its water resistance to 300 meters (1,000 ft) or 500 meters (1,650 ft), it establishes itself as an exceptionally sporty model, a champion and natural frontrunner. Its originality begins with the bezel featuring a taut, sophisticated shape and stamped numerals, and continues with the case echoing the same outline. The dials are adorned with new rounded numerals exclusively designed for this model, with rhythmical motifs and with a play on colors. The steel bracelet reinforces the unique character of this fresh, youthful and dynamic design, while ensuring optimal comfort and sturdiness.

Available in three versions endowed with strong and distinctive characters, including a chronograph and a ladies’ watch, the new Colt is equipped with SuperQuartz™ movements that are chronometer-certified by the COSC (Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute), like all Breitling movements.

RENO AIR RACES

Reno, Nevada. Every year in September, an array of original planes converge on Stead Airport to take part in one of the world’s great aviation venues: the famous Reno pylon races. Flying at dizzying speeds, these aircraft face off on circuits traced out in the desert, just a few feet off the ground. Their motto: “Fly low, go fast, turn left.” As a partner of all the fi nest hours in aviation, Breitling is the main sponsor of this event that is unique in the world – thereby pursuing its mission to perpetuate the competitive spirit, the taste for performance and the fierce quest for victory.

When I saw these watches, I got pretty excited. Romain Jerome has licensed the Space Invaders name from Taito Corporation in order to produce two 78-piece limited edition watches – 78 is a tribute to the year the game was introduced.

Absolutely stunning and awesome at the same time. This definately calls out to the kid in me.

Specs:
Case: PVD Coated Stainless Steel
Diameter: 46mm
Strap: Rubber
Crystal: Sapphire
Water Resistance: 30m
Movement: Romain Jerome Caliber RJ001-A, 23 jewels, 28,800 vph, 42 hour Power Reserve

Omega has released a new Speedy Moonwatch model to commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the Apollo 15 mission to the Moon. Omega had commemorated the Apollo 11 40th Anniversary in 2009, and now follows up with its latest Limited Edition. This will be a Limited Edition of 1,971 Pieces, and will feature the original moonwatch Hesalite Crystal and solid engraved caseback, staying true to its heritage. The movement will be the manual-winding Omega caliber 1861.

From Wikipedia:
Apollo 15 was the ninth manned mission in the American Apollo space program, the fourth to land on the Moon and the eighth successful manned mission. It was the first of what were termed “J missions”, long duration stays on the Moon with a greater focus on science than had been possible on previous missions. It was also the first mission where the Lunar Roving Vehicle was used.

Lots of new Breitling Watches coming out in Baselworld 2011 that I haven’t blogged about yet. All sorts of craziness including Red Bezels and much more Caliber 01 models. Here’s a quick glance at some of the newest Breitlings to be released for 2011. There continues to be a lot of Limited Editions coming out!

Breitling Navitimer 1461

Breitling Navitimer 01

Breitling Chronomat 41

Breitling SuperOcean 44

Breitling SuperOcean Chronograph II

Breitling SuperOcean GMT

Breitling Transocean Chronograph

Breitling Transocean

Breitling Galactic Chronograph II

Breitling SuperOcean Heritage 42

Breitling Chrono-Matic Blacksteel Limited
Edition

Breitling Chrono-Matic 1461 Limited Edition

Finally, a Corum Admiral’s Cup watch that I like!

CORUM – Admiral’s Cup 46 Chrono Dive

Corum’s extreme sports range introduces a new model and a new function with the Admiral’s Cup Chrono 46 Dive. Although slightly smaller, it features the same clean lines and strong design as its predecessors. Its highly recognizable 12-sided case is made of grade 5 titanium and water-resistant to 300 meters. The dial in subtle shades of gray is encircled by an inner flange bearing the 12 nautical pennants that are the signature of the brand.

Movement
Automatic, CO753 calibre, COSC-certified, 28,800 vib/h, 27 jewels, 48-hour power reserve

Functions
Hours, minutes, small seconds, date and chronograph

Case
Grade 5 titanium, 46 mm
Unidirectional rotating bezel
12-sided, cambered, anti-reflective sapphire crystal
Screw-down titanium back
Water-resistant to 300 m / 30 ATM

Dial
Black
Hour, minute and small seconds counters at 6, 3 and 9 o’clock respectively
Luminescent hourmarkers, hands and chevrons
Date window at 6 o’clock

Strap
Black vulcanised rubber with titanium buckle

Breitling’s Bentley Motors 30-Second Chronograph has been remodeled into a new Model, the Breitling for Bentley Barnato and Barnato Racing Chronographs. Both feature Breitling’s Caliber 25B movement with the unique 30-Second Chronograph. New for both the Racing and Regular Barnato Chronographs is the display back featuring a new Wheel Rim style Winding Rotor, mounted on the same 25B movement. This is a sweet looking display back!

Very cool to see Breitling really push forward with more display backs and fancy looking movements. Their stuff has been locked behind solid casebacks for far too long! They’ve also added “Swiss Made” to the dials of all their watches now which adds to the marketability of the brand. No longer are we seeing questions like “Is Breitling Swiss Made? It doesn’t say it on the dial.”, but we do get questions like “Are older Breitlings Swiss Made? They didn’t say that on the dial.”

From Breitling:

BENTLEY BARNATO
Resolutely Bentley in terms of its design, the Bentley Barnato associates a generously sized case with fixed bezel featuring a knurled raised motif and red-rimmed sports counters – just like on the dashboards of the finest sports cars from the British carmaker. Totally Breitling from a technical standpoint, it combines a selfwinding chronograph movement chronometer-certified by the COSC with an ultra-efficient and ultra-legible “30-second chronograph” system. Its originality extends to the reverse side fitted with a transparent back serving like an open car bonnet to reveal a wheel-rim shaped oscillating weight. Available with a black or silver dial enhanced by applied hour-markers and tone-on-tone counters with a refined spiral motif, the Bentley Barnato comes in steel as well as in a 500-piece red gold limited edition. It can be teamed with a leather, crocodile leather or rubber strap, or with the particularly sturdy and comfortable Speed bracelet.

BENTLEY BARNATO RACING
The Bentley Barnato Racing special series features a spectacular design that makes it the most original of all Breitling for Bentley chronographs. The pointer-type counters are replaced by a highly original disc-type counters system displaying the hours and minutes of the measured time by means of two red triangles. The openworked shape of the silver-toned discs is reminiscent of the steering wheels on the famous Bentley models that won the Le Mans 24 Hours race five times between 1924 and 1930 – thanks to Barnato and the other Bentley Boys. The “30-second chronograph” serves to measure the best laps to the nearest 1/8th of a second. The oscillating weight inspired by the wheel rims on the new Continental GT provides a maximum of energy to the COSC chronometer-certified movement. Carved in steel for the standard version, the Bentley Barnato Racing takes on an even more exclusive aura in a 500-piece red gold limited edition.

AN EXCLUSIVE “30-SECOND CHRONOGRAPH” SYSTEM
Inspired by a patent filed by the founder’s son Gaston Breitling in 1926, the ingenious principle of the “30-second chronograph” is distinguished by its central hand sweeping around the dial in half a minute instead of the customary 60 seconds. This original layout provides readings of the measured times accurate to within 1/8th of a second.