The Breitling Watch Blog

A very cool little read about some key dates and times in the history of the development of the Wristwatch from the first wristwatch created in 1868 until the present. Was just emailed this by Borro, and its a short read, but very interesting. Shows how some of the brands we see today such as Rolex, Patek Philippe, Cartier and even Swatch contributed to the evolution of the Wristwatch as we know it today:

http://www.borro.com/luxury-watches/history-of-wristwatch/

Finally posted a video review of my beloved Jaeger LeCoultre Squadra Hometime automatic watch. Features a cool in-house (is there any other kind?) Swiss JLC movement which can be reverso’d to reveal the see-through case back. Very awesome little feature. Are there some more interesting reversos? Yes… but I like this one, especially because of the case size and shape too.

Breitling continues down the path of offering more Blacksteel, “miliary” inspired watches with the new Breitling Chronospace Military, but adding a Black Steel mesh bracelet this time which is nice. Now that blacksteel isn’t just available on extremely limited edition watches, earlier buyers may be getting more and more peeved that their limited editions aren’t as special anymore – I know I would be. However, this is a suitable addition to the Breitling line, though not really one that piques my interest too much.

Technology and power
A perfect example of Breitling instruments for professionals, the Chronospace Military electronic multifunction pilot’s chronograph combines a black steel case achieved by a carbon-based treatment with an extremely rugged military-type fabric strap – making it the ideal companion on every mission and in the most extreme conditions.

The bidirectional rotating bezel with compass scale features a highly original star-shaped bezel design facilitating handling even with gloves. This model’s exceptional performances are powered by a SuperQuartz™ chronograph caliber ten times more accurate than ordinary quartz and chronometer-certified by the COSC (Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute). The dial with its luminescent numerals and hour-markers and oversized hands guarantees optimal readability. Its two NVG-compatible backlit screens clearly display the many functions useful to pilots, including a 1/100th of a second chronograph with split times, alarm, countdown timer, dual timezone display with independent alarm and Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). In addition to the anthracite or khaki-colored high-tech fabric strap, the Chronospace Military is also issued with a sturdy and comfortable black steel mesh bracelet.

Breitling has returned to its roots and released a new watch, the Breitling Galactic 44. There’s nothing “galactic” about this watch at all as far as I’m concerned, and that’s a GOOD thing! Right on Breitling! Bringing back one of my favourite Breitlings of all time with a revamped 44mm Breitling Headwind. They stuck to their classic bezel style, with the smoother Galactic style rider tabs, but the tried and true familiar bezel markers of the original Headwind.

The uber-sporty watch

The Galactic collection by Breitling welcomes a new large-sized model featuring a 44 mm diameter and a satin-brushed bezel with rubber-inlaid hour-markers. Exactly what it takes to reinforce its ultra-sporty, technical look.

In 130 years, Breitling has asserted itself as the specialist of chronographs and instruments for professionals. But this expertise also enables it to create watches reflecting the same performance-oriented spirit, such as the Galactic. This uber-sporty, versatile and sophisticated model is intended for all those whose activities do not necessarily require chronograph functions, but who are nonetheless looking for a watch that is at once sturdy, accurate and reliable. After a 41 mm selfwinding version and two 36 and 32 mm ladies’ models, the collection is now enriched with a new large-sized watch. In adopting a 44 mm diameter, the Galactic has strengthened its technical and masculine appeal. The unidirectional rotating bezel takes on a satin-brushed finish along with black rubber-inlaid hour-markers, while the dial features two apertures for the day and date at 12 and 3 o’clock respectively, along with a compass scale and a graduated scale with 1/100th of an hour divisions on the inner bezel. The large hands and hour-markers enhanced with a luminescent coating guarantee excellent readability, reinforced by the sapphire crystal glareproofed on both sides. The polished steel case is water-resistant to 200 m/660 ft and equipped with a screw-lock crown protected by reinforcements. It houses a selfwinding movement chronometer-certified by the COSC (Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute), the highest benchmark in terms of reliability and precision. The new Galactic 44 is available with a black, blue or silver dial, fitted with a choice of steel bracelet or a strap in leather, crocodile leather, rubber or military-type fabric. An uber-sporty watch for fans of performance.

Britain’s Nigel Lamb won the 2014 Red Bull Air Race World Championship on Sunday, October 26th with a dramatic victory under pressure at the season finale in Spielberg, Austria. With a fourth place finish in front of a sell-out crowd of 35,000 spectators, Austria’s Hannes Arch ends up second in the overall ranking.

Although, the French pilot Nicolas Ivanoff won the race in the Austrian Alps on a sunny afternoon for his second victory this season, the 9 points that Lamb won with his fifth consecutive second place was enough to stave off a powerful challenge from local hero Arch. The British pilot secured first place with a grand total of 62 points from the eight-race world championship, which was the most exciting in the high-speed, low-altitude sport’s history.

“It’s just amazing,” said Lamb, who came from far behind in the World Championship with a victory in the third race of the season in Malaysia and then got five straight second place finishes to overtake Arch and Bonhomme in the standings.

“I have to say my race did not go as planned, my times were not fantastic through the week. It was not a good day today in racing terms, there was never a time I thought I had the Championship secured, I had a good team giving me lots of inputs, the aircraft felt good and I felt very well supported. Also from my family they are very involved but Max especially, doing all the race analysis. It is very difficult having one of your children telling you what to do, but he found a good way of not trying to change my flying but just seeing the small adjustments, which make the maximum differences.”

“Next year will be very challenging since nine pilots have been on the podium out of twelve, next year fourteen pilots. But I still have a good team, good plane, and hope to maintain the consistency, it really is teamwork that makes the success at the end of the season.”

Cheered on by the boisterous sell-out home crowd, Arch had been unstoppable all weekend. Flying last in the Final Four, Arch struggled early on the undulating course with its challenging 65-meter change in elevation and, forced to take risks on the second lap in an all-or-nothing bid to win the title, got hit with a two-second penalty for flying through one of the Air Gates with his wings not level, which dropped him to fourth place. Arch’s raw time of 57.839 would have been good enough for second place behind Ivanoff’s 57.468 but not enough to catch Lamb, who would have dropped to third in the race with his time of 58.052 but still have beaten Arch in the World Championship by a score of 60-57.

Spielberg Results: 1. Nicolas Ivanoff (FRA), 2. Nigel Lamb (GBR), 3. Martin Sonka (CZE), 4. Hannes Arch (AUT), 5. Paul Bonhomme (GBR), 6. Michael Goulian (USA), 7. Kirby Chambliss (USA), 8. Pete McLeod (CAN), 9. Yoshihide Muroya (JPN), 10. Matt Hall (AUS), 11. Matthias Dolderer (GER), 12. Peter Besenyei (HUN)

World Championship (final): 1. Nigel Lamb (GBR) 62 points, 2. Hannes Arch (AUT) 53, 3. Paul Bonhomme (GBR) 51, 4. Nicolas Ivanoff (FRA) 42, 5. Pete McLeod (CAN) 38, 6. Matt Hall (AUS) 33, 7. Matthias Dolderer (GER) 21, 8. Martin Sonka (CZE) 18, 9. Yoshihide Muroya (JPN) 10, 10. Kirby Chambliss (USA) 7, 11. Peter Besenyei (HUN) 6, 12. Michael Goulian (USA) 3