The Breitling Watch Blog

I just received this press release from Breitling, but I’ve already seen these in stores. A bit late on their part, but I thought it was cool when I saw the watch – my Wife even said that she wouldn’t mind wearing one of these white Breitling for Bentley watches!

GRAND TOURERS TURN WHITE
They were already distinguished by their size, noticeably more compact than those of the other Breitling for Bentley models, and suited to all wrists. With the new special all-white “Ice” versions, the Bentley GT and Bentley GT Racing chronographs now also display a look that is well off the beaten track. This original and sophisticated appearance features an Ice White dial – an exclusive Bentley livery colour – teamed with a rubber strap in the same shade. The faces of these exceptional sports models, enhanced by rimmed counters, evoke the dashboards of the finest Bentley Grand Tourers. The bezel with its knurled raised motif is reminiscent of the characteristic control buttons of the prestigious British carmaker. In terms of the chassis, the Bentley GT Ice chronograph has a steel case with an all-polished finish, while the even more sophisticated Bentley GT Racing Ice version is distinguished by finishes alternating between satinbrushed upper surfaces and polished sides; and its caseback bears a medallion with the outline of the famous Bentley Continental GT, the epitome of power and elegance representing the quintessence of the Grand Tourer tradition. These two watches are driven by the selfwinding Breitling Calibre 13B chronograph movement, chronometer-certified by the COSC and equipped with a calendar displaying the day and date through a large twin aperture at 3 o’clock. The bidirectional rotating bezel serves to activate the “variable tachometer”, a world-exclusive Breitling feature. When used in conjunction with the chronograph, this system enables the user to measure mean speed whatever the time elapsed, the distance covered or the speed reached. Bentley GT Ice and Bentley GT Racing Ice: grand style follows its own road.

Specs:
Movement:
Breitling Calibre 13B, offi cially chronometer-certified by the COSC, selfwinding, high-frequency (28,800 vibrations/hour), 25 jewels. 1/4th second chronograph, 30-minute and 12-hour totalizers. Day-date calendar.

Case:
steel. Water-resistant to 100 metres. Screw-locked crown. Bidirectional rotating pinion bezel with variable tachometer (circular slide rule). Cambered sapphire crystal, glareproofed on both sides.

Diameter:
45 mm.

Dial:
Ice White.

Strap:
White rubber.

URWERK – UR-202S

“Since URWERK was founded, our creations have always been presented on a leather strap,” explains Martin Frei, artist and head designer at URWERK. “I love the timeless character of this noble material, the fusion of the hyper modernism of our watches and the classicism of their attachments. But I am also a great fan of solid, substantial objects. An all-steel model was therefore a choice I felt we just had to offer.” With the UR-202S, the hours are indicated on 3 rotating blocks. Each block has a telescopic minute pointer that moves across three minute segments (0-14; 15-44; 45-60). A moon phase and day/night indicator complete this contemporary tableau. Visible at the back of the UR-202S are two turbines coupled with the rotor that regulate the watch’s winding system.

Movement
Automatic, 7.03 calibre, 28,800 vib/h, satellite complication (patented) with moving hours and telescopic minutes

Functions
Hours, minutes, day/night indicator and moon phase

Case
Polished steel or AITiN (Aluminium, Titanium, Nitride) steel
45.7mm x 43.5mm x 15mm
Titanium back
Crown at 12 o’clock

Dial
ARCAP P40 plate and satellite hours, MOVIC-treated beryllium bronze transporters, titanium telescopic hand

Bracelet
Steel or AITiN steel with folding clasp

Martin Braun is back with a new brand after his Martin Braun brand was wound down by parent company Franck Muller Watchland. Martin Braun is back in full force and he will be launching his new line at Baselworld 2011. I’ve always been a fan of Braun’s work and designs as his complications are unique and his styles are sensible. Something that is lacking in the watch market.

ANTOINE MARTIN – Quantième Perpétuel QP01

By establishing the Antoine Martin watch manufactory at Alpnach, in the heart of Switzerland, master watchmaker Martin Braun realised his dream of manufacturing a contemporary movement and creating unique, state-of-the-art modern timepieces. Two years of work were needed to envisage, create and produce this extraordinary watch, with its high aesthetic and technical standards. Among many other surprises are an oversized grade 5 titanium balance and a high-tech silicone escapement requiring no lubricant for extreme efficiency. As well as the talent displayed by the artist-watchmaker, the watch is an aesthetic joy to behold, with the case specifically designed to house the large movement. A work of art that perfectly sets off the manifold displays of its perpetual calendar.

Movement
Hand-wound, AM 39.001 calibre, 39.5 x 8 mm, 18,000 vib/h, 60 jewels, 324 components, 6-day power reserve

Functions
Hours, minutes, day, date, month, leap year, day/night indicator, power-reserve indicator

Case
18K pink gold, 18K white gold or black DLC steel
Anti-reflective sapphire crystal
Water-resistant to 50 m

Dial
Silvered
Day/night indicator at 9 o’clock, leap year at 12 o’clock, centre days and months
Large date window at 6 o’clock, power-reserve indicator on back

Strap
Brown Louisiana alligator leather with 18K pink or white gold folding clasp, or black rubber with black DLC steel folding clasp

GoS Watches releases another new model and is presented in a “Svep” woodwork presentation case hand crafted by Sture Nyberg, a Scandinvian woodcraft artisan. The Stockholm features mother of pearl dial with a cool Damascus Chapter ring, hands and crown. The watch also features a Hand Wound Alpina 592R movement. The piece will be produced in a limited production of 5 pieces.

Specs:

Case: 42mmx10mm
Lug width: 22mm
Glass: Flat sapphire glass
Movement: Swiss manual movement Alpina 592R
Dial: Mother of pearl for 4pcs 1/4-4/4, One piece 1/1 has a dial in blue Lapis Lazuli with small gold pyrites
Hands: Spear shape in hand forged Damascus steel
Index ring, rehaut: Fileworked and polished in hand forged Damascus steel
Crown: 8mm in finegrained Damascus stainless steel
Case finishing: All highgloss polished with Gustafsson & Sjögren logo on case side.
Strap: Handcrafted in Louisiana Alligator.
Presentation box: Individually crafted box in svepask technique.

“Stockholm – a new GoS model

The partnership between the bladesmith Johan Gustafsson and watchmaker Patrik Sjögren aims to provide truly unique watches with inspiration from the cold north of Scandinavia. GoS proudly presents the new model Stockholm, which has been designed in corporation with the owners of the exclusive watch store Fredmans Ur, the GoS retailer in Stockholm. The production of Stockholm is limited to five watches of which four pieces with a mother of pearl dial and a single piece with a dial in blue Lapis Lazuli. The dials in natural materials highlight the rich details within the handforged Damascus steel. Johan Gustafsson has achieved a very fine grained steel, which pattern is made visible through careful and time consuming hand finishing techniques.

The movement in the Stockholm model is the hand wound Alpina 592R from the 1950s, a NOS movement that has been thoroughly serviced and adjusted before the assembly in the GoS workshop. The Alpina movement beautifully display the characteristics and overall quality of watch movements from that era and has been kept in the original finishing. The deep beveling and the bridge shapes perfectly match the designs and shapes of the Damascus steel parts.

The Stockholm watch is the first model to be delivered in the new GoS presentation box. The boxes are individually crafted by Sture Nyberg, a local woodcraft artisan who is well known for his work which he regularly exhibit. The box is crafted in an ancient technique called “svep” in Swedish and is so specific to the Baltic region that it does not have an English name. The material is thin birch wood that is moisturized and bent over a round template. Birch root is then used to lock the shape with a seam.”

Breitling launched a new Automatic Chronospace, based on the old standby Caliber 23 movement. The Chronospace has such an awesome case and dial design that I think its great they are now making it available to Automatic Watch enthusiasts! When I first saw the Chronospace Automatic I thought it was going to be a B01 movement, but its not. This will make it more affordable for many buyers. Combine that with a solid 46mm case size, which is popular with the big watch crowd that collects Breitling and I think we have a winner here!

Movement: Breitling Caliber 23, officially chronometer-certified by the COSC, selfwinding, high frequency (28,800 vibrations per hour), 25 jewels. ¼th of a second chronograph, 30-minute and 12-hour totalizers. Calendar.
Case: steel. Water-resistant to 200 m (660 ft/20 bars).Screw-locked crown. Cambered sapphire crystal, glareproofed on both sides. Bidirectional rotating pinion bezel (slide rule). Screwed in caseback.
Diameter: 46 mm.
Dials: Volcano Black, Mariner Blue, Tungsten Gray, Stratus Silver.
Straps/Bracelet: leather, rubber Diver Pro (with raised central ridge), Ocean Racer rubber (perforated)/Aero Classic
in woven steel.

“HIGH PERFORMANCES AND STANDOUT LOOKS

With its ultra-original star-shaped bezel and its resolutely technical appearance, the new Chronospace Automatic is distinguished by an exceptional design, combined with all the qualities of an authentic Breitling pilot’s instrument.

From the Navitimer to the Chronomat, along with the Superocean and the Aerospace, Breitling instruments for professionals are distinguished not only by their performances, but also by their unique and powerful looks. They radiate strong character and are recognizable at a glance. The new Chronospace Automatic pilot’s chronograph is no exception, combining form and function with inimitable style. Thanks to its unusual star-shaped design that makes it easy to use even when wearing gloves, the bidirectional rotating bezel ensures simple and easy handling of the circular slide rule serving to perform all calculations relating to airborne navigation – a valuable asset in terms of ergonomics and functionality.

The sophisticated rack and pinion system driving the slide rule guarantees water resistance to 200 meters (600 ft), an exceptional achievement for this type of instrument. The large 12 o’clock numeral, square hour-markers and oversized hands, all accentuated by a luminescent coating, lend the dial a vigorous and dynamic aesthetic that ensures maximum readability and visibility, even in poor lighting conditions. The extreme precision of the time display and of short-time measurements is ensured by the Breitling Caliber 23 selfwinding chronograph movement, chronometer-certified by the COSC like all the brand’s movements. The new Chronospace Automatic is available with a choice of four dial colors – Volcano Black, Mariner Blue, Tungsten Gray and Stratus Silver – enhanced by black totalizers. The understated, powerful lines of the sturdy steel case are combined, according to taste and to usage, with various types of strap or bracelet, including sporty versions in rubber and a daring bracelet in satinbrushed woven steel. A perfect way of combining high performances with standout looks.”