The Breitling Watch Blog

Announcing the new Breitling Colt! What do you guys think? I saw some preview pics from a dealer, and I’m still not liking this one so much unfortunately. All of the models in the Colt line are now Quartz, no more rider tabs.

FRONTRUNNER

The same spirit but a new look. Breitling has entirely redesigned its Colt model, a symbol of sturdiness, reliability and performance. A sculptural model carved in steel, the new Colt turns heads with its original styling clearly built for action, achievements and thrills. With its solid construction and its water resistance to 300 meters (1,000 ft) or 500 meters (1,650 ft), it establishes itself as an exceptionally sporty model, a champion and natural frontrunner. Its originality begins with the bezel featuring a taut, sophisticated shape and stamped numerals, and continues with the case echoing the same outline. The dials are adorned with new rounded numerals exclusively designed for this model, with rhythmical motifs and with a play on colors. The steel bracelet reinforces the unique character of this fresh, youthful and dynamic design, while ensuring optimal comfort and sturdiness.

Available in three versions endowed with strong and distinctive characters, including a chronograph and a ladies’ watch, the new Colt is equipped with SuperQuartz™ movements that are chronometer-certified by the COSC (Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute), like all Breitling movements.

RENO AIR RACES

Reno, Nevada. Every year in September, an array of original planes converge on Stead Airport to take part in one of the world’s great aviation venues: the famous Reno pylon races. Flying at dizzying speeds, these aircraft face off on circuits traced out in the desert, just a few feet off the ground. Their motto: “Fly low, go fast, turn left.” As a partner of all the fi nest hours in aviation, Breitling is the main sponsor of this event that is unique in the world – thereby pursuing its mission to perpetuate the competitive spirit, the taste for performance and the fierce quest for victory.

As many of you know, Wyler shut its doors about two years ago due to the economic downturn and its inability to keep up in the marketplace. The reality is that no one really wanted to pay $15,000 for a watch with a nearly bone-stock ETA 2894-2 movement in it. So now we are seeing the watches pop up online and on eBay for around $2200-3000 in their basic models.

As you can see from the above, I bought two! I really love the look of the Code-R Chronos, and they come in tons of different configurations. I actually changed the strap on the white dialed model to a black rubber strap, and like it much better. I generally prefer the rubber straps on these I think – Suits the style much better. These watches feature suspension-mounted movements in high-tech titanium and carbon fiber cases, but are available in many different types of materials including gold, tantalum and ceramic.

As you can see, the brown one features a brown rubber strap that has what looks like a tire-tread pattern on it to give it a sporty look. The four screws visible from the top of the case hold springs that the central round part of the watch sits on, giving the watch a suspension system, similar to that which is found on some Formex watches, though somewhat more refined.

The brown dial is metallic, almost like what some call “Liquid Copper”. Lume is limited to a small portion of the hands and is not especially bright, but is bright enough for regular limited use. Watches are all completely Swiss Made, with quality components. The crown guard is an interested innovation they use, and differs from others in that it pulls out and pops into place and feels very well made. Everything about the watch is very well made, but since it is no longer in production, replacement parts may be hard to find.

The white dial is a glossy white, with black chrome applied indexes. Another interesting feature is that the crown is surrounded in rubber, like the tire of a car. It makes turning the crown much easier since it is partially obscured by the crown protector. The calf leather strap that came with the watch waas very soft and easy to scratch.

Overall, I really dig my two Wyler Code-R’s. For the price that they are available at now, they are a good value if you like the style. The watches are well-made and the fit and finish is a very high level. The movements, while stock ETA 2894-2’s, do have a black chromed rotor which looks pretty nice. I wouldn’t pay anywhere near what the original retail was, but its a watch I would recommend at the current pricing.

Specs
Case Size: 44mm x 52mm
Case Metal: Titanium and Carbon Fiber
Strap Material: Rubber/Leather
Movement: ETA 2894-2, 37 Jewels

A new “affordable” touribillon from Graham, this one featuring a Chronograph as well. Actually a pretty nice looking watch that I wouldn’t mind owning myself, but maybe not for the $57,000US price tag.

Functions: Column wheel chronograph (seconds, 30 minutes and 12 hours counter). Tourbillon mechanism
Hours, minutes, seconds

Calibre: Calibre G1780, automatic column wheel chronograph-tourbillon, 28’800 A/h (4 Hz), Incabloc shock absorber

Rhodium blackened movement with Haute Horlogerie finishing. Perlages, sandblasted, manually chamfered and polished bridges and bottom plate, column wheel with polished segments and black low-friction coating, ruthenium oscillating weight with skeletonised rotor and 925 sterling silver segment

34 jewels

Power reserve: 48 hours

Ruthenium tourbillon cage: 48 components, 0.485 grams. Off-centre construction at 11 o’clock. Complete see-through tourbillon. Two patents. Rhodiated double bridge construction with black varnish coated upper bridge. Golden balance.

Case: 48 mm steel, Steel right hand start / stop and reset pushers with “Clous de Paris” high grip pattern, Steel bezel, Domed sapphire crystal, anti-reflective coating on both faces
See-through sapphire crystal case back

Water resistance: 160 feet / 50 m

Dial: Black dial with tachymeter scale on external ring, black snailed minutes and
seconds counters

Rhodiated central hours and minutes hands with black Super-LumiNova coating, rhodiated chrono, hours, minutes and seconds counters hands, rhodiated numerals

Strap: Black croco, Steel folding buckle

Price: $57,000 (approx)

To mark the 80th anniversary of the Reverso, Zep has designed and personalised an enamel dial for a Reverso à éclipse in pink gold: a one-off work of art. The celebrated Swiss artist drew his inspiration from a visit he made to the Manufacture last April.

Enamelling, like engraving, is one of the rare crafts carefully honed by the Jaeger-LeCoultre Manufacture. Today’s enamelling workshop is staffed by three experts, who offer a wide range of personalisation options for the watch Reverso itself, but also for enamel dials. The unique works created by these craftsmen at the Jaeger-LeCoultre Manufacture are a testament to an expertise combining tradition and inventiveness. They make use of cutting-edge techniques that are then unveiled in each year’s collections.

This unique Reverso watch, designed by Zep, will be sold at the Artcurial auction house on 29 November 2011 in Paris, with the proceeds benefiting the muscular dystrophy charity “Association monégasque contre les Myopathies”.

The Brand also had the honour of unveiling a special preview of the design at the Veytay Polo Club during the finals of the Jaeger-LeCoultre Polo Masters Geneva.

“I’ve always been fascinated by miniaturisation and the aesthetics of mechanical movements. The idea of slipping Titeuf in amongst the complex and subtle cogs of a Reverso seemed obvious. It’s also a nod to the character ‘Charlot’ in the film ‘Modern Times’. I only hope that my personal touch doesn’t upset the legendary accuracy of his Reverso…” said Zep, whose real name is Philippe Chappuis.

This is a very cool one-off piece by ArtyA, a watch company that specializes in unique pieces. Since I have a casual interest in firearms, this piece caught my eye. The little bullets inside the case are an uncommon cartridge called a 6mm Flobert. The diameter is equivalent to a .22 and while not designed for that, can be shot from some guns chambered in .22lr. Nonetheless, an interesting cartridge that fits into the case well.

As you can see, the bullets are suspended with copper wire. I would have liked to see the bullets more evenly spaced and more “perfect” in their placement. Perhaps the imperfection is part of the charm for the person who comissioned the piece. The 47mm case features crosshairs to complete the theme.

Above you can see the rotor is also visible, featuring the backs of three .38 Special casings to enhance the look. I wonder how it spins when the weight is so evenly distributed. Would love to see this watch in action. The little movement is quite well contained in the central housing.

As you can see, the back is marked 1/1 Unique. Swiss Made. Notice the lugs have screws inset to hold the strap. The fine machining work on the case is apparent from the rear shot, showing nice crisp lines and nice hand rubbed finishes.