The Breitling Watch Blog

Some pretty awesome stuff from Bulgari this year… mostly what I am really impressed with is the Sotirio Bulgari watch.. This thing is amazing. Check out the stuff below:

BVLGARI presents the new”Bulgari Bulgari” Moon Phase watch

The “Bulgari Bulgari” collection, the icon of the Bulgari watch line, is updated with a new model for women.
In this exclusive version, the 38 mm case has a characteristically linear and contemporary design that renders this precious timepiece unmistakable. The white mother-of-pearl dial is embellished with diamond pavé and hand-mounted markers. The white alligator skin strap has a folding steel buckle. Water resistant up to a depth of 30 metres, it features an automatic B77 Calibre mechanical movement with a 42-hour power reserve. It also marks the phases of the moon and is embellished by Côte de Genève and Perlage treatments.

The “Bulgari Bulgari” Moon Phase model will be available at all Bulgari stores and selected dealers starting from May 2009.

BVLGARI PRESENTS the new SOTIRIO BULGARI watch
125th anniversary edition

In the mid 19thcentury, Sotirio Bulgari articulated a vision of elegance that has since proven capable of transcending the boundaries of both time and space. The young Sotirio sensed the new spirit of his time and, assembling his formidable arsenal of artistic and artisanal skills, left Greece for Corfu and then went on to the recently unified Italy. His enterprising spirit upset many existing schemes, anticipating practises that would become standard only much later. It is to this remarkable man – multicultural voyager ahead of his time, entrepreneur, aesthete and founder of one of the world’s most respected jewellers and watchmakers – that Bulgari dedicates, on the occasion of its 125th anniversary, three watches as extraordinary as the history that began with Sotirio Bulgari.

Watches characterised by a classic style reinterpreted in a contemporary key. A perfect synthesis of innovative design and manufacturing skill, they are distinguished by their sophisticated workmanship and great attention to detail. These new timepieces represent the Bulgari’s vision of a formal watch, featuring manufacture movement, dials finished with exclusive treatments and a unique design. Unique as the exclusive flip-over back case and the pure bezel characterised by the absence of the Bulgari logo and the lugs. Characterised by a converging inclination they are a prominent feature in these Sotirio Bulgari. Their particular construction (they are integrated in the back case) meets the challenge of offering high shock resistance in spite of the reduced size. As testimony of the endless care for detail even the crown as been personalised (with the Sotirio Bulgari historical hallmark) as the sapphire crystal that is curved and enriched by the antireflective treatment

The argenté dial is made in house by Bulgari; the Roman numerals and faceted indexes are applied by hand. The skeleton hour and minute hands are faceted. The watch strap is made of black alligator skin with an 18 cts Bulgari ardillon buckle.

The BVL 250 calibre automatic movement is made of 250 components. The watch has 55 hour power reserve, 32 rubies and 28’800 vibration/hour (4 Hz). It has a diameter of 25.60 mm and is 3.73 mm thick. The bridges and the main plate feature an exclusive design and are embellished by côtes de Genève, diamantés and perlage treatments. The customised oscillating weight features colimaçonné treatments and its 18 cts weight is enriched by a satiné circulaire treatment. The shape of the bridges and the weight of this calibre were redesigned to highlight the creativity of the watch and reveal as much as possible of the movement with its sophisticated finishing. These testify to the sophisticated Swiss savoir faire that went into the making of this watch and were executed in full compliance with the qualitative parameters established for haut de Gamme movements. All edges are diamantes as are the sinks around the jewels. The 18 cts gold oscillating segment is finished with a satiné circulaire treatment, while the central part is colimaçonnée. The Swiss finisseurs’ standard of craftsmanship is evident by the exclusive care taken in decorating even the smallest components, such as the screw heads, which are polished.

Dedicated to our founder these new timepieces are the tangible proof of Bulgari’s tireless quest for perfection.

Finally, after years of waiting, us Breitling aficionados can finally enjoy the launch of the Breitling in-house movement, the B01. The Breitling B01 – An Exceptional Motor, uses a column wheel, a vertical trigger mechanism and has a power reserve of over 70 hours.

A couple other features of note on the movement are an auto-centering feature for the reset hammers – a much needed feature. Also are an exclusive indexing regulator system that allows you to adjust the the timing of the movement. Very cool features!

From the Breitling Website:

Breitling crowns its 125 years of passion for chronographs with the launch of its own high-performance movement. Breitling is marking an important date in its history by unveiling Caliber B01, its first chronograph “motor” designed and built entirely in-house. It is a logical evolution for a brand that has played a major role in developing the wrist chronograph, and is counted among the leading makers of this complication. It is a perfectly consistent choice for one of the last independent Swiss watchmakers, which is thereby ensuring its freedom to maneuver and loyalty to its own criteria for excellence.

Through 125 years and five generations, Breitling has tied its name closely to the development of aviation, sports, technology, sciences and industry – all of these being areas that require reliable and accurate measuring instruments. With the B01, the company is more than ever confirming its calling to accomplish challenging feats, and beginning a new chapter in a history already replete with great moments in the air, on land and beneath the seas.

Download Press Release

Look out Jaeger! Dubey & Schaldenbrand is looking to take a peice of the reverso pie with their new Spiral Verso VIP watch, launched this year at the Exposition Geneva! This is a very cool looking watch as you can see from the little video that the guys at Dubey put together.

I’ve always been a fan.. and this one is definately one cool watch!

Movement: Chronograph 3 counters with triple date and moon phase
Self-winding mechanical movement from Dubey & Schaldenbrand Chronometer-quality escapement, stop second
Finish: Hand engraved decorated movement gold finish Skeletonized rotor, blued steel screws
Frequency: 28.800 vibrations per hour
Jewels: 25 / Incabloc
Power reserve: 48 hours
Functions: Hours, minutes, subsidiary seconds, 24 hours hand, chronograph, day, date, month and moon phase
Dial: Brossé with 6 blued half spheres set on a brushed dial
Hands: “Losanges diamantés” with SuperLuminova Chronograph hand with vintage spiral (exclusivity DS)
Case: Polished 316L surgical stainless steel, mobile lugs. Blue set crown
Dimensions: 41 x 47.5 mm, Height 15.5 mm
Watch crystal: Anti-reflective sapphire crystal domed on top and on the bottom
Water resistance: To 30 meters
Band: Galuchat royal (24 mm special cut)
Dimensions: 20 mm stainless steel bracelet
Buckle: 16 mm tang or deployant
Special features: Crown on left side
Revolutionary flying case

The Vulcain Cricket was introduced in 1947 as the worlds first mechanical wristwatch with alarm, and today continues their tradition of creating reliable watches with their unique alarm complication. Their current marketing campaign includes a lot of advertising in which they claim “Worn by US Presidents” in the ads. A couple notable presidents to wear the Vulcain Cricket are Richard Nixon (1969–1974) and Dwight Eisenhower (1953-1961). Since they are relaunching their brand, Barack Obama will be the first present in many years to receive a Vulcain Cricket. The watch he will be receiving is the Anniversary Heart. The first president to receive a Vulcain Cricket was Harry Truman.

The new Vulcain Crickets have a very forward and modern design, utilizing a lot of open heart techniques on the dial, exposting the rather beautiful Vulcain movement. The new stuff out of Vulcain does involve a lot of Limited Edition watches with fancy packaging to entice the upper market that the watch is now targetted to.

The Rose Gold Anniversary Heart is a beautiful watch, and I’d love to have one myself, but estimated cost will top $20K in Rose Gold. They do have some more affordable models, however.

In addition to all the president buzz, Vulcain is also releasing its Self-Winding Caliber V21 at L’Heure AscH in Geneve between Jan 21st and Feb 7th, 2009. This will be Vulcain’s first self-winding movement, and will likely increase the amount of interest in Vulcain watches for the newer generation. The first watch to use this new movement is the Cricket GMT X-Treme in Titanium and Pink 18K Gold. Almost sounds like these guys are getting their naming inspiration from Zenith!

See the Invitation PDF.

In many areas of the world, the new 2009 Chronologs are out! Just a reminder to head over to your local AD and pick a copy up, or have your local Breitling distributor send one to you. Last I checked here in Canada they aren’t in yet, but here’s hoping that they will be in the next couple weeks.

There are lots of new models out for this year’s Chronolog, which most of you have already seen since they were released at Baselworld and before. Chrono-matic 49, Breitling for Bentley GMT are a couple that spring to mind.