Travel at its most comfortable

Bentley for the quintessence of British chic. GMT for the revolutionary dual timezone adjustment system. Light Body for the featherweight titanium case. B04 for the high-performance Manufacture Breitling Calibre entirely developed and produced in the Breitling Chronométrie workshops. The new Bentley GMT Light Body B04 extends an irresistible invitation to tear up the road – or whiz through the air – while enjoying a combination of comfort and elegance, efficiency and style.

This authentic wrist sculpture is distinguished by its original and daring design featuring asymmetrical lugs, a black rubber strap, a broad bezel with a knurled motif inspired by Bentley radiator grilles, along with pushpieces built into the ergonomically streamlined profile. A paragon of functionality, this travel chronograph is also distinguished by its unprecedented ease of handling. All the wearer needs to do when juggling with timezones is to pull out the crown and turn it forwards or backwards in one-hour increments. This is achieved without any loss of precision in terms of the minutes, while the date is automatically adjusted to local time in either direction. Another appreciable source of comfort on the road stems from the rotating inner bezel bearing the names of 24 cities and enabling at-a-glance readings of all timezones around the world in relation to the one indicated by the 24-hour hand. The dial bearing an openworked circular pattern reveals glimpses of the automatic B04 chronograph movement, chronometer-certified by the COSC (Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute), as indeed are all engines in the Breitling for Bentley racing team. High-precision travel at its finest.

30 years of the pilot’s chronograph
To celebrate the 30th anniversary of its flagship Chronomat model, Breitling is launching a special series with a resolutely technical and professional look. It encapsulates the entire spirit of this legendary chronograph that has become a reference in the field of pilot’s instruments.

In the early 1980s, Ernest Schneider – to whom Willy Breitling had just sold his firm – learned that the Frecce Tricolori, the Italian airforce aerobatics team, had issued a bid for tender on their first official watch. He accordingly decided to create a brand-new aviation chronograph specifically designed for pilots’ needs. This instrument was developed in close cooperation with the squadron. All details of the construction and exterior were designed to meet the demands of aviation professionals – be it the sturdiness of the case, the profile of the lugs, the readability of the dial and the ergonomic shape of the pushpieces and crown. Won over by this ultra-functional, avant-garde and elegant chronograph, the Italian flying aces voted in its favor and the official Frecce Tricolori watch was launched in 1983.

The leading Breitling collection
Keenly aware of having created an instrument enshrining the brand’s entire philosophy and mission, Ernest Schneider chose to make this model the new flagship of the Breitling spirit. In 1984, the firm celebrated its 100th anniversary in grand style by launching its mainstream Chronomat collection. Over the past three decades, this exceptional chronograph has witnessed an evolution in its aesthetic expressed through a sequence of subtle adjustments – all the while maintaining its immediately recognizable character and style. Breitling has constantly improved its performances in terms of sturdiness, functionality, precision and reliability. In 2009, the Chronomat was the first model in the range to host the new Manufacture Breitling calibers. As the leader of the Breitling collection, it has established itself as an authentic horological classic – the embodiment of a world dedicated to performance, great feats and transcending existing limits.

A Chronomat Airborne special series
To celebrate the 30th anniversary of its best-seller, Breitling has created a special series reviving the design and the spirit of the original Frecce Tricolori chronograph. This Chronomat Airborne is distinguished by its satin-brushed rotating bezel equipped with four raised rider tabs serving to count off flight times, while facilitating rotation even with gloved hands. The result is an edgy, technical and sophisticated appearance. The sturdy steel case with its polished finish is available in two 41 and 44 mm sizes, while the dial comes in two versions: black with silver-toned counters, and silver-toned with black counters. The caseback is engraved with the inscription “Edition Spéciale 30e Anniversaire” (Special 30th Anniversary Edition) as well as the outline of an Aermacchi, one of the ten planes flown by the Italian flight squadron. In keeping with its aeronautical vocation, the Chronomat Airborne is fitted with an ultra-sturdy strap in black military-type fabric, secured by a folding clasp. Onboard is a Manufacture Breitling Caliber 01 selfwinding high-performance movement, chronometer-certified by the COSC (Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute), as indeed are all the engines powering the Breitling fleet. A new chapter in the history of pilot’s chronographs.

Available in two sizes:
Chronomat 41 Airborne with 41mm Case
Chronomat 44 Airborne with 44mm Case

Breitling has announced a “new” model, the Bentley 6.75 Midnight Carbon. Nothing too special here, with blacksteel case and the slotted dial treatments, in a limited edition of 1000 pieces. Its a very busy looking Breitling, that might appeal to some crowds.

From Breitling:
Sheer class, decked out in black

A tribute to the biggest Bentley engine, the famous 6.75 litre version powering the luxurious Mulsanne limousines, the Bentley 6.75 chronograph ramps up the power and the audacity in an entirely black-clad limited series.

This midnight-hued livery, achieved by a special ultra-resistant carbon-based treatment, enhances the sporting style of the satin-brushed steel case with its taut, dynamic lines and its knurled bezel inspired by Bentley’s famous radiator grilles. The dial also exudes dark elegance, enhanced by a vertical openworked motif offering a glimpse of the movement. The caseback springs its own surprise, since the five-spoke motif reprising the distinctive design of Bentley wheel rims also appears in black against the metallic background. The selfwinding chronograph movement, chronometer-certified by the COSC (Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute), is distinguished by its original “large aperture calendar” system displaying the date in a highly readable manner via two distinct indicators: one for the tens and the other for the units. Issued in a 1,000-piece limited edition, the Bentley 6.75 Midnight Carbon comes on a rubber strap with a central raised motif echoing that of the bezel. Sheer class, clad in black and signed Breitling for Bentley.

Raven, a sister brand to Benarus, launched a cool vintage style diver early last year called the Vintage 40mm. The watch was released in a limited edition of 200 pieces with a date, and 50 pieces without a date. I was fortunate enough to procure one of the rare no-date versions which I am reviewing here today. A very nice nod to the vintage Submariner.

The watch has 40mm Submariner inspired stainless steel case, with a domed acrylic crystal. Some cool vintage features are the gold tone mercedes hands and red/orange dial and bezel highlights. The watch wears very nicely for a 40mm watch, similarly to the new 40mm Submariners. The bezel insert is old-school aluminum. Lume is C3 SuperLuminova.

This shot catches the cool curve of the acrylic crystal and shows off the coin-edge of the bezel. Its a very well machined piece of kit, with very precise and deliberate machining, giving the watch a sense of quality. Since these were priced in around $450, I wouldn’t have necessarily expected it to feel like a Rolex, but this watch is no slouch.

A beautiful job on the deep precision machined crown. Love the Raven logo on it, and it feels good when in use. You can also get a better idea of what the Bezel edge looks like here, with all the contours.

The watch comes with two NATO straps (One leather, one nylon), as well as a stainless steel bracelet which is shown here. Its a nice oyster-style bracelet, with screw-in links and a standard stamped clasp. The clasp does have a nice deep etching of the Raven logo, which is nice.

The caseback is very clean, with nothing but a large, deeply etched Raven logo and the serial number, which I have blurred out. Very clean and nice. Compliments the rest of the watch nicely in its simplicity. Underneath the caseback beats a Miyota 9015 movement with winding and hacking features.

And the best for last – the wrist shot. For a 40mm watch, this wears remarkably well. The cool domed acrylic crystal, clean, precision machined case, and overall styling really come together well in this nod to the Vintage Submariner. I really think then did a fantastic job and Raven will continue to be on the radar for me when it comes to Sub-style divers.

Really digging this new LE from Breitling.. not just a Blacksteel case, but they threw in a 24hour movement, the Breitling Caliber 22. Combine that with the cool stenciled 24-hr arabic dial and you have a winner. I personally like the extra effort put into this model. Additionally, they released a new strap called the offroader for it, which is a canvas military style strap.

SUPER AVENGER MILITARY LIMITED SERIES
An elite force

A concentrated blend of power, precision and functionality, the new Super Avenger Military chronograph by Breitling certainly lives up to its name. Its rugged steel case, water-resistant to 300 meters (1,000 ft), features an ultra-resistant carbon-based black coating. The result is a non-reflective stealth look clearly geared up for the most extreme missions. The equally black dial provides a 24-hour “military time” display to avoid any potential confusion in the heat of action. The offroader strap is made of a durable and comfortable synthetic fabric such as those adopted for their operations by the elite armed forces. Issued in a 500-piece limited edition, the Super Avenger Military is also distinguished by its screwed-in pushpiece guards, its large screw-locked crown with non-slip grip guaranteeing maximum functionality; its thick glareproofed sapphire crystal, as well as the oversized hands, hour-markers and numerals ensuring optimal readability. A true instrument for professionals, it is equipped with a selfwinding movement chronometer-certified by the COSC (Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute) – the highest official benchmark in terms of precision and reliability, as well as the only one based on an international norm. Super Avenger Military: an elite force on the wrist.

See the watch on the official Breitling Website:
http://www.breitling.com/en/models/avenger/super-avenger-ii/versions/limited-editions/