The Breitling Watch Blog

That little marking on many swiss made watches just got revised today by the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry (FH). The 2007 general meeting was held today and numerous new percentages of what needs to be made in switzerland for a watch to bear the “Swiss Made” designation.

For a mechanical watch it has been increased to 80%, while a quartz watch has been increased to 60%. Previously 50% was the minimum. This is another big change for the FH. Read more about the article here:

Strengthening Of Swiss Made Step One Accomplished

Check out this new beautiful watch from Bulgari. It looks like Bvlgari is attempting to really take a shot at being a true watch design house. It features a perpetual calendar with Tourbillon and is a limited edition of 20 pieces.

The Platinum case is a whopping 48mm! It features double sapphire crystals and the movement is the automatic in-house Caliber BVL 416 with 64 hours of power reserve. YES, IN HOUSE!

Price on this baby is $155,000.

Nicolas G. Hayek Center, at Ginza will house 7 watch boutiques. These include: Breguet, Blancpain, Glashutte Original, Jaquet-Droz, Leon Hatot, Omega and Swatch brands. They will also house the offices of the Swatch Group Japan and three floors dedicated to after-sales service.

Here is the Breguet Boutique. Look at the beautiful architecture of the new Swatch Group building! What an experience it is to purchase a new mechanical watch now. Japan is a huge consumer of watches.. I know they are big fans of Breitling. I would love to see a big Breitling watch boutique!

Leading swiss watch manufacturer AP has decided to launch an all out-attack on the plastic watch design copy industry. With the popularity of their Royal Oak offshore watch, tons of imitators have been let loose. In fact, just the other day while having coffee with an old friend of mine I spied what I thought was an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore on his wrist, but I thought to myself, He couldn’t be wearing a $25K watch, he’s not that kind of guy!… And turns out it wasn’t… he was weaing a simple off-brand from the local department store with the design stolen from AP.

Now AP is getting back. They have won many court cases and may be paving the road for other swiss watchmaking brands. More info here:

News Article: Audemars Piguet Combats Copiers

There were a few new models that were introduced at Baselworld 2007 at the massive Breitling Showcase ‘booth’… not sure if you can call something that big a booth.. with a huge aquarium and all that stuff. Check out the scene:

A Couple totally new models that are now listed on the site:

Montbrillant Legende
Large new Montbrillant Legende with integrated Bracelet

Bentley Mark VI Complication
New Breitling for Bentley Complication

And a couple more new models that have new pics:

Avenger Skyland now with BLACKSTEEL pic!
Avenger Skyland

More pics of the Flying B No.3 small seconds with big date:
Flying B Number 3