Breitling

The best way to describe Breitling watches is rock solid, functional, and unmistakable. This renowned Swiss manufacturer is especially famous for its pilot's watches. The company has enjoyed an exceptional reputation in this sector for decades. Its catalog includes the legendary Navitimer, as well as high-tech instruments with quartz movements and special functions. Many Breitling timepieces are designed to meet the demands of modern aviation. You can use them to analyze flight data and send distress signals in case of an emergency.

However, Breitling is no one-trick pony. They also have a reputation for producing excellent diving watches. The Superocean and Avenger collections appeal to fans looking for more technical timepieces, while those who appreciate retro designs will find themselves drawn to the vintage-inspired models in the Superocean Heritage series.

Introduced in early 2018, the Navitimer 8 also features design elements taken from historical Breitling watches. No matter your taste, Breitling truly has something for everyone. Furthermore, most timepieces use mechanical calibers, all of which have come with certification from the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC) since 1999.

Breitling was hard at work in 2019 and 2020, releasing a slate of new models, as well as the brand-new Premier collection. Some of the most interesting additions to existing collections include the Navitimer 806 1959 Re-Edition and the Superocean Heritage 57. Both timepieces pay tribute to major milestones Breitling reached back in the 1950s. The Aviator 8 Mosquito chronograph with the in-house B01 movement and the Top Time Limited Edition with a so-called "Zorro dial" are among the other exciting releases from recent years.

The most affordable Breitling watches belong to the Colt collection, with prices beginning at roughly 1,800 USD for a quartz-powered timepiece. An automatic Colt in stainless steel costs around 2,900 USD. The Heritage collection is the next step up. Models like the Superocean Heritage will set you back about 4,100 USD as a three-hand watch and 5,400 USD as a chronograph. The women's Navitimer Automatic 35 pairs a rose gold case with diamonds and sells for approximately 24,500 USD. Breitling's most iconic model is the Navitimer pilot's watch. Depending on its movement and case material, this timepiece can demand anywhere from 4,800 to 43,000 USD.

In addition to numerous pilot's watches, Breitling also offers robust diving watches. For example, the Avenger II Seawolf is water-resistant to 3,000 m (300 bar, 9,843 ft) and is quite massive at 45 mm in diameter and 18.4 mm thick. Plan to spend a solid 3,500 USD for the version on a stainless steel bracelet.

The Superocean II has a more classic feel and is available as a 36, 42, or 44-mm timepiece. The smallest version is water-resistant to 200 m (20 bar, 656 ft) and is geared more toward women. It can be yours for about 3,000 USD. The 42-mm model sells for similar prices. The largest edition is water-resistant to 1,000 m (100 bar, 3,281 ft) and comes in at 3,400 USD.

In 2018, Breitling introduced the Premier collection with timepieces based on models the company first produced in the 1940s. The collection contains a range of elegant 42-mm chronographs and 40-mm three-hand watches. You can also choose from cases in stainless steel or rose gold. Breitling equips each chronograph with either the Breitling B01 movement or the caliber 13 (Valjoux 7750). Three-hand models, on the other hand, use either the caliber 37 (ETA 2895-2) or the caliber 45 (Sellita SW260). In typical Breitling fashion, the dials are available in a wide variety of colors.

Prices begin around 3,500 USD for a stainless steel three-hand model with a small seconds. If you prefer rose gold timepieces, be prepared to spend about 12,000 USD. The stainless steel edition with day and date displays costs approximately 3,900 USD.

Stainless steel chronographs with the caliber 13 sell for roughly 5,400 USD. The Premier Chronograph with a rose gold case and the caliber B01 costs around 17,500 USD. A "simple" B01 with a stainless steel case and bracelet changes hands for about 6,700 USD.

The Premier Top Time is the black sheep of this otherwise refined family of watches. It is the descendant of a Breitling from the 1960s. It features a "Zorro"-style panda dial, resulting in a timepiece that's equal parts elegant and sporty. The "Zorro" nickname comes from the two black triangles that frame the subdials at 3 and 9 o'clock. The final result resembles the famous literary character's trademark mask. A modified Valjoux 7753, the caliber 23, sits within the 41-mm case. Prices for this model come in at around 5,200 USD on Chrono24.

Breitling and British luxury car manufacturer Bentley have been partners since 2003. Together, they regularly release special-edition timepieces in honor of Bentley. Here are a few examples.

Bentley celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2019. Breitling marked the occasion with the Premier Bentley Centenary. This 42-mm chronograph gets its power from the Breitling caliber B01 and is available in stainless steel or 18-karat rose gold. The two models are limited to runs of 1,000 and 200 pieces, respectively. Perhaps the most stunning feature is the brown elm burl dial, which feels especially elegant paired with rose gold. Be sure to have at least 8,800 USD for the stainless steel version. The gold edition is much rarer and demands about 24,500 USD.

The Chronomat B01 42 Bentley followed in 2020. It has a green dial and Rouleaux bracelet. Breitling dedicated this timepiece to the two companies' longstanding partnership. The only difference between this model and standard editions are its green dial and the "Bentley" engraving on the sapphire crystal case back. Prices for this watch sit around 7,300 USD.

Later that same year, Breitling announced the Premier Bentley Mulliner Limited Edition. This watch was specifically designed to match the 2020 Bentley Continental GT Mulliner. It has a 42-mm stainless steel case and houses the caliber B01. Since the Bentley is blue, Breitling mounts this timepiece on a blue leather strap. This sporty chronograph is limited to a run of 1,000 pieces and costs approximately 7,900 USD.

The Emergency pilot's watch from the Professional series has evolved into an industry legend. This watch has been helping save lives since 1995 thanks to its built-in distress beacon. It transmits a signal to the international frequency of 121.5 MHz, which enables search planes to track the wearer's location in calm seas or on flat land from a distance of approximately 170 km (105 mi). The Emergency II, the newest version of the watch available since 2013, can also transmit a distress signal to the 406.04 MHz frequency, which is monitored by satellites.

In addition to the distress beacon, the watch features a timer, second time zone, and an alarm function. However, these functions require a fair amount of energy to operate. Therefore, the Emergency is outfitted with a battery that lasts about two and a half years. Its quartz movement, the Breitling 76, compensates for temperature fluctuations, which can cause inaccuracies. You can also choose to display the time in an analog or digital fashion.

Its titanium case is a massive 51 mm in diameter and 21.6 mm thick. Without its band, the Emergency weighs 144 g. You can purchase the Emergency II on a rubber strap for around 13,500 USD.

Exospace B55: The Rechargeable Bluetooth Smartwatch

The Exospace B55 from the Professional series is a state-of-the-art smartwatch. It can connect to smartphones via Bluetooth and is packed full of functions, including an alarm with up to seven different individual settings, UTC time, a countdown timer, and a chronograph. The quartz movement B55 ticks away inside the case and runs 10 times more precisely than the average quartz movement. A special miniature rechargeable battery powers the Exospace B55. The price for an Exospace B55 sits around 6,000 USD.

Breitling also produces timepieces that should appeal to women. For example, there are three stainless steel Superocean models that are only 36 mm in diameter. These diving watches come with your choice of a white, orange, or light blue dial. Each comes on a matching rubber strap. Their power comes from the Breitling caliber 17 based on the ETA 2824-2. Prices for these watches sit around 3,000 USD on Chrono24.

Until the announcement of the Chronograph 1952, no one could have ever predicted that Breitling would offer the iconic Navitimer as a 35-mm women's watch. As of 2019, the company also offers six versions of the Navitimer with three hands. You can choose from stainless steel, rose gold, or a two-tone combination of both materials. These watches get their power from the Breitling caliber 17. Expect to spend around 3,500 USD for a stainless steel model on a leather strap, 7,700 USD for a two-tone watch, and over 25,500 USD for a rose gold timepiece.

Breitling is held by many in high regard and spent most of its storied history as an independent company. The manufacturer became part of the British CVC Capital Partners group in 2017. Georges Kern, the former CEO of IWC and former Head of Watchmaking at Richemont, also joined Breitling in 2017 and has been at the helm ever since.

Léon Breitling founded the business in 1884. The Royal Air Force became a customer in 1936. The US Air Force followed suit and ordered Breitling's Chronomat wristwatches when they premiered in 1942. In the early 1960s, the manufacturer developed a version of the Navitimer with a 24-hour clock instead of the traditional 12. Astronaut Scott Carpenter wore this watch during his 1962 space flight in order to tell if it was day or night on Earth.

In 1979, amid the quartz crisis, Willy Breitling sold the company to the pilot and businessman Ernest Schneider. Schneider was able to put the company back on track. The Schneider family owns shares in the company to this day.

Breitling's Aerobatic Team

Breitling's commitment to aviation expresses itself in a myriad of ways. They have their own jet team, the Breitling Jet Team, which is the largest privately-owned aerobatic display team of its kind. The team flies seven Czech Aero L-39 Albatros jets. In addition, they support the Wingwalkers, who perform on the wings of biplanes. Breitling also sponsors the survival of the last flight-capable Lockheed Super Constellation in Europe. This propeller plane with four engines is lovingly nicknamed "Super Connie." These planes formed the backbone of modern long-haul passenger flights during the 1950s. The Breitling Super Constellation L-1049A (HB-RSC) is stationed in Switzerland.