The Breitling Watch Blog

Keep your eyes peeled for the unveiling of the long anticipated new Breitling Emergency 2 Watch, April 24th at Baselworld.

Bell & Ross has released a limited edition Instrument Aviation Collection, which include three new models: BR 01 HEADING INDICATOR, BR 01 AIRSPEED, and BR 01 CLIMB. All three models are stainless steel with PVD coating and feature ETA caliber 2892-2 (AIRSPEED & HEADING INDICATOR) and the ETA caliber 2897 (CLIMB).

The three models from Bell & Ross continue the unique incorporation of the aviation style instrument panels combined with a unique method of reading time. The heading indicator in particular uses the Bell & Ross disc system to show the time, similar to the Radar model released a couple years ago.

Overall a really cool and fun way to display time that is very appropriate to the Bell & Ross brand. Each model is a limited edition of 999 pieces, and would be a fantastic addition especially to collectors who have already picked up one of the previous limited models.

The brand “Swiss Military Watch” is about as vague as they come, and the name often invokes poor brand recognition with confusion with Victorinox and Wenger among others. However, SMW (Swiss Military Watch) is known for their very rugged military watches that rival Marathon in their quality.

The SMW Commando T25 is a very nicely crafted tactical style diver, with T25 Tritium Tubes used to illuminate the dial when used in dim and low light conditions. For those unfamiliar with tritium tube illumination, it does not require “recharging” like regular superluminova or old-style tritium paint. The tubes constantly glow until they’re dead, which is approximately 25 years.

Here’s the Swiss Military Watch logo above, which is not to be confused with several of the other brands using the “Swiss Military Watch” name.

The Commando features a 44mm case, with an orange aluminum insert bezel reminiscent of the Omega Planet Ocean. While the shape and overall style do not resemble the Planet Ocean, the color combinations and materials do. The flat black dial shows the time very clearly above the beating Swiss Automatic ETA 2824-2 movement.

The watch has all the go-to features that schrewd Watch buyers always look for, and it checks all the right boxes. Sapphire Crystal, check. Swiss ETA Automatic Movement, check. T25 Tritium Tubes, Check. 44mm Larger and Current watch case, check. 200m Water Resistance, check. Swiss Made, check. Good bang for buck? Check!

Overall its a fantastic watch. There’s the shot of the rather unremarkable caseback, perhaps the weakest part of the watch. The caseback is pretty generic, with shallow laser engraving of the logo and other important information such as water resistance, etc. The other important marking is the Limited Edition Numbering, which in this case is a very low production of 200 pieces. The numbering is actually machine engraved, which makes it stand out a bit more. Anyway, the caseback is the least important part of the watch to me, so its not a big deal. Overall, a superb watch for very little money. Much better than the Hamiltons and other similarly priced Swiss Watches.

Specs:
-Diameter appx 44mm – excluding screw-down crown
-Stainless steel case
-Screw-down steel case back
-Fitted with Hirsch black padded, waterproof, leather strap with orange detail stitching – original, unused, black silicone rubber dive stap in box
-Accurate and reliable Swiss ETA 25 jewel automatic movement
-Clear black face with mb microtec H3 gas illumination to hands and markers – glows all night
-Orange sweep second hand
-Sapphire crystal
-Special edition numbered of 200
-Date window at 3-o-clock
-Unidirectional steel bezel with orange insert and lume pip
-Water resistant to 200 metres

The newest timepiece to join the Vacheron Constantin collection, the Prestige 1972, is an enduring symbol of the Maison’s creativity and savoir faire.

Faithful to its original design, the asymmetrical stepped case and rose gold hour and minute hands perfectly highlight the subtle flourish of the herringbone pattern carefully detailed on the dial. Powered by the ultra-slim manual winding Vacheron Constantin in-house caliber 1003, and meeting the stringent new requirements to obtain the seal of the Geneva Hallmark, the 1972 Prestige is a
bold timepiece for a refined gentleman of the 21st century.

For the collectors, a second limited edition variation of the Prestige 1972 features an elegant gray dial with geometric pattern and white gold hands. This version, with its stylish contrast of black and white, is created in only 40 pieces and available exclusively through our Vacheron Constantin boutiques.

Breitling has announced a Chronomat Limited Edition in support of Autism Awareness Month, with the support of Ernie Els who became a Breitling Ambassador recently.

20% of the proceeds for this limited edition of 88 pieces will go to the foundation. Steel case, blue dial and silver subdials with an engraved caseback. The back is engraved with the Els for Autism logo and the #1 watch will be worn by Ernie himself.

In addition to his work with the Autism Foundation, Els will host the third annual Els for Autism Golf Challenge: the largest international charity-driven amateur golf tournament in history.

Breitling is one of the organizing sponsors of this tournament and will support teams throughout the United States with their retail partners to help further broaden the scope of the tournament and help raise funds for the charity. The culmination of all the tournaments is the Grand Finale, taking place in Las Vegas this October, where tournament winners, as well as teams that raised funds in excess of $13,000, will qualify to play.