Breitling
Encyclopedia
Breitling is a luxury brand of Swiss watch
es produced by Breitling SA, a private company headquartered in Grenchen
, Canton of Solothurn
(originally founded in Saint-Imier
, Bernese Jura
by Léon Breitling in 1884). The company exclusively offered Certified Chronometer
s in all models since 2000. Watches are usually oriented towards three categories: Diving (SuperOcean), Aviation (Navitimer), and Luxury (Breitling for Bentley). Aviation models such as the Navitimer offer aviation functions largely as complications, since their function in aviation has largely been replaced by modern electronic instruments. The styling of Breitling watches is characterized by polished cases and bracelets and large watch faces which are designed to improve readability. Many models feature an automatic winding
mechanism that is purely mechanical (i.e. using no electronic components) and frequently feature complications.
All Breitling watches are manufactured in Switzerland and are made from Swiss components. Raw movements are obtained from ETA and Valjoux
and are modified in the Breitling Chronometrie Workshops, before undergoing COSC
(Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres) certification. Breitling has designed and manufactured two in-house movements: The Breitling calibre B01 and B04 (a B01 with an added GMT module).
Quartz models such as the Breitling Aeromarine Colt start at $2,055.00 on a rubber strap, while mechanical models start at $3,000 and may reach prices above $100,000. Most higher priced models feature highly complex movements, gold cases and bracelets, and diamonds on the bezel. The most expensive mode at $175,000, the Breitling for Bentley Mulliner Tourbillon, features a platinum case, as well as a Flyback chronograph
, perpetual calendar , and Tourbillon
.
In the 1940s, Breitling added a circular slide rule to the bezel of their chronograph models for use by aircraft pilots. This became the famous Navitimer model. During the 1950s and 1960s, a version of the Navitimer was offered by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
with the AOPA logo on the dial.
In 1961, Scott Carpenter
, one of the original astronauts in the Mercury space program, approached Breitling with idea of incorporating a 24 hour dial
instead of the normal 12 hour dial. This was needed because of the lack of day and night during space travel. Breitling complied, and produced the 24 hour Navitimer which Carpenter wore on his 1962 space flight. Breitling then proceeded to produce the 24 hour version as the so-called Cosmonaute Navitimer - under both Breitling and AOPA logos.
The Breitling Emergency version contains a radio transmitter for civil aviation
use which broadcasts on the 121.5 MHz distress frequency and serves as a back-up for ELT-type airborne beacons. (For military users, Breitling has equipped the Emergency with a miniaturized transmitter operating on the 243.0 MHz military frequency.) Under normal conditions—flat terrain or calm seas—the signal can be picked up at a range of up to 90 nautical miles (167 km) by search aircraft flying at 20,000 feet (6,000 m). As of 1 February 2009, the Cospas-Sarsat
Satellite System will no longer monitor the 121.5/243.0 MHz frequency; however, the signal transmitted by the Emergency was never strong enough to be picked up by satellite, and Breitling has announced that, as these frequencies will still be monitored by aviation, particularly during the localization phase of a rescue attempt, there are no plans to modify the signal's frequency.http://forums.watchuseek.com/showpost.php?s=4cf97501950bad87058962fca16d59e5&p=186913&postcount=6
Reuters reported that in January 2003, two British pilots, Squadron Leader
Steve Brooks and Flight Lieutenant
Hugh Quentin-Smith, crashed their helicopter in Antarctica and were rescued after activating their Breitling Emergency transmitter watches. The two pilots were in their lifeboat when a Chilean Otter aircraft found them after homing in on signals from their watches. http://www.timezone.com/library/news/news631795494389687500
The Emergency is available for customers who do not hold a pilot's licence, but they must sign an agreement stating that they will bear the full costs of a rescue intervention should they trigger the distress beacon. The model was heavily advertised by the Breitling Orbiter 3—both Brian Jones
and Bertrand Piccard
were wearing the Emergency. Breitling sponsored the Orbiter 3 project, which in 1999 successfully became the first balloon to completely orbit the Earth without landing. A commemorative Orbiter 3 version of the Emergency watch was subsequently produced, limited to a production run of 1,999.
Note: The ETA 2892 movements used in Breitling chronographs have been modified by the addition of a chronograph module by Dubois/Depraz.
) and the fixed-wing jet pack
flights of Yves Rossy
. Breitling sponsors aerobatics
teams including the Breitling Jet Team
and Breitling Wingwalkers.
Breitling was a sponsor of Team Bentley during their Le Mans 24 Hours campaign, running from 2001-2003. To commemorate this event,
Breitling created the Limited Edition Breitling Bentley 24 Le Mans Watch.[citation needed]
Breitling also sponsors the Reno Air Race for publicity as well as to increase the brands association with aviation.
and appeared in the Breitling catalog until 1999.
Watch
A watch is a small timepiece, typically worn either on the wrist or attached on a chain and carried in a pocket, with wristwatches being the most common type of watch used today. They evolved in the 17th century from spring powered clocks, which appeared in the 15th century. The first watches were...
es produced by Breitling SA, a private company headquartered in Grenchen
Grenchen
Grenchen is a municipality in the district of Lebern in the canton of Solothurn in Switzerland.It is located at the foot of the Jura mountains between Solothurn and Biel. With over 16,000 inhabitants, it is one of the larger towns of the canton of Solothurn...
, Canton of Solothurn
Canton of Solothurn
Solothurn is a canton of Switzerland. It is located in the northwest of Switzerland. The capital is Solothurn.-History:The territory of the canton comprises land acquired by the capital...
(originally founded in Saint-Imier
Saint-Imier
Saint-Imier is a municipality in the Jura bernois administrative district in the canton of Bern in Switzerland. It is located in the French-speaking Bernese Jura .Observatoire Astronomique de Mont-Soleil is located above the village....
, Bernese Jura
Bernese Jura
Bernese Jura is the name for the French-speaking area of the Swiss canton of Bern, and from 2010 one of five administrative divisions of the canton....
by Léon Breitling in 1884). The company exclusively offered Certified Chronometer
Chronometer watch
A chronometer watch is a specific type of watch tested and certified to meet certain precision standards. In Switzerland, only timepieces certified by the COSC may use the word 'Chronometer' on them....
s in all models since 2000. Watches are usually oriented towards three categories: Diving (SuperOcean), Aviation (Navitimer), and Luxury (Breitling for Bentley). Aviation models such as the Navitimer offer aviation functions largely as complications, since their function in aviation has largely been replaced by modern electronic instruments. The styling of Breitling watches is characterized by polished cases and bracelets and large watch faces which are designed to improve readability. Many models feature an automatic winding
Automatic watch
An automatic or self-winding watch is a mechanical watch, whose mainspring is wound automatically by the natural motion of the wearer's arm, providing energy to run the watch, to make it unnecessary to manually wind the watch. A watch which is not self-winding is called a manual watch...
mechanism that is purely mechanical (i.e. using no electronic components) and frequently feature complications.
All Breitling watches are manufactured in Switzerland and are made from Swiss components. Raw movements are obtained from ETA and Valjoux
Valjoux
Valjoux is a Swiss manufacturer of mechanical watch movements. It is known primarily for chronograph ébauche movements that are used in a number of mid- to high-range mechanical watches: The company has been a part of ETA for a number of years and is a member of the Swatch Group...
and are modified in the Breitling Chronometrie Workshops, before undergoing COSC
COSC
COSC aka C.O.S.C. is Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres, the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute, which is the institute responsible for certifying the accuracy and precision of wristwatches in Switzerland.-Background:...
(Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres) certification. Breitling has designed and manufactured two in-house movements: The Breitling calibre B01 and B04 (a B01 with an added GMT module).
Quartz models such as the Breitling Aeromarine Colt start at $2,055.00 on a rubber strap, while mechanical models start at $3,000 and may reach prices above $100,000. Most higher priced models feature highly complex movements, gold cases and bracelets, and diamonds on the bezel. The most expensive mode at $175,000, the Breitling for Bentley Mulliner Tourbillon, features a platinum case, as well as a Flyback chronograph
Flyback chronograph
A flyback chronograph is a complication watch, which uses a single push of the button for stopping, resetting and restarting the chronograph function of the watch.-Other names:The flyback function has also some other names:* Retour-en-vol * Taylor system...
, perpetual calendar , and Tourbillon
Tourbillon
In horology, a tourbillon is an addition to the mechanics of a watch escapement. Developed around 1795 by the French-Swiss watchmaker Abraham-Louis Breguet from an earlier idea by the English chronometer maker John Arnold a tourbillon aims to counter the effects of gravity by mounting the...
.
Breitling Navitimer
Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association is a Frederick, Maryland-based non-profit political organization. Incorporated on 15 May 1939, AOPA's membership consists mainly of general aviation pilots in the United States...
with the AOPA logo on the dial.
In 1961, Scott Carpenter
Scott Carpenter
Malcolm Scott Carpenter is an American engineer, former test pilot, astronaut, and aquanaut. He is best known as one of the original seven astronauts selected for NASA's Project Mercury in April 1959....
, one of the original astronauts in the Mercury space program, approached Breitling with idea of incorporating a 24 hour dial
24 hour watch
A 24-hour watch is a type of watch with an hour hand that completes a revolution every 24 hours. This type of watch is especially useful for airplane pilots, astronauts, members of the military, or anyone who uses a 24-hour clock....
instead of the normal 12 hour dial. This was needed because of the lack of day and night during space travel. Breitling complied, and produced the 24 hour Navitimer which Carpenter wore on his 1962 space flight. Breitling then proceeded to produce the 24 hour version as the so-called Cosmonaute Navitimer - under both Breitling and AOPA logos.
Breitling Emergency
Civil aviation
Civil aviation is one of two major categories of flying, representing all non-military aviation, both private and commercial. Most of the countries in the world are members of the International Civil Aviation Organization and work together to establish common standards and recommended practices...
use which broadcasts on the 121.5 MHz distress frequency and serves as a back-up for ELT-type airborne beacons. (For military users, Breitling has equipped the Emergency with a miniaturized transmitter operating on the 243.0 MHz military frequency.) Under normal conditions—flat terrain or calm seas—the signal can be picked up at a range of up to 90 nautical miles (167 km) by search aircraft flying at 20,000 feet (6,000 m). As of 1 February 2009, the Cospas-Sarsat
Cospas-Sarsat
Cospas-Sarsat is an international satellite-based search and rescue distress alert detection and information distribution system, established by Canada, France, the United States, and the former Soviet Union in 1979. It is best known as the system that detects and locates emergency beacons...
Satellite System will no longer monitor the 121.5/243.0 MHz frequency; however, the signal transmitted by the Emergency was never strong enough to be picked up by satellite, and Breitling has announced that, as these frequencies will still be monitored by aviation, particularly during the localization phase of a rescue attempt, there are no plans to modify the signal's frequency.http://forums.watchuseek.com/showpost.php?s=4cf97501950bad87058962fca16d59e5&p=186913&postcount=6
Reuters reported that in January 2003, two British pilots, Squadron Leader
Squadron Leader
Squadron Leader is a commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence. It is also sometimes used as the English translation of an equivalent rank in countries which have a non-English air force-specific rank structure. In these...
Steve Brooks and Flight Lieutenant
Flight Lieutenant
Flight lieutenant is a junior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many Commonwealth countries. It ranks above flying officer and immediately below squadron leader. The name of the rank is the complete phrase; it is never shortened to "lieutenant"...
Hugh Quentin-Smith, crashed their helicopter in Antarctica and were rescued after activating their Breitling Emergency transmitter watches. The two pilots were in their lifeboat when a Chilean Otter aircraft found them after homing in on signals from their watches. http://www.timezone.com/library/news/news631795494389687500
The Emergency is available for customers who do not hold a pilot's licence, but they must sign an agreement stating that they will bear the full costs of a rescue intervention should they trigger the distress beacon. The model was heavily advertised by the Breitling Orbiter 3—both Brian Jones
Brian Jones (aeronaut)
Brian Jones is an English balloonist.Brian Jones, along with Bertrand Piccard, co-piloted the first successful uninterrupted circumnavigation of the world on board the balloon Breitling Orbiter 3...
and Bertrand Piccard
Bertrand Piccard
Bertrand Piccard is a Swiss psychiatrist and balloonist.Born in Lausanne, Vaud canton, Bertrand Piccard, along with Brian Jones, was the first to complete a non-stop balloon flight around the globe...
were wearing the Emergency. Breitling sponsored the Orbiter 3 project, which in 1999 successfully became the first balloon to completely orbit the Earth without landing. A commemorative Orbiter 3 version of the Emergency watch was subsequently produced, limited to a production run of 1,999.
Base movements
| Breitling Movement | Base movement |
|---|---|
| B01 | Calibre Breitling, first and only in-house movement |
| B10 | ETA 2892-A2 |
| B11 | Lemania 1873 |
| B12 | Lemania 187 |
| B13 | Valjoux 7750 |
| B17 | ETA 2824 |
| B18 | ETA 2892-A2 |
| B19 | ETA 2892-A2 |
| B20 | Valjoux 7750 |
| B21 | Valjoux 7751 |
| B22 | ETA 2892-A2 |
| B24 | Valjoux 7754 |
| B26 | ETA 2892-A2 |
| B30 | ETA 2892-A2 |
| B33 | ETA 2892-A2 |
| B34 | ETA 1185/86 |
| B35 | ETA 2892 |
| B36 | ETA 2892 |
| B38 | ETA 2892-A2 |
| B39 | ETA 2892-A2 |
| B40 | ETA 2892-A2 |
| B41 | ETA 2892 |
| B42 | ETA 2892 |
| B43 | Valjoux 7758 |
| B44 | ETA 2892 |
| B45 | ETA 2834-2 |
Note: The ETA 2892 movements used in Breitling chronographs have been modified by the addition of a chronograph module by Dubois/Depraz.
Notable appearences
- Sean ConnerySean ConnerySir Thomas Sean Connery , better known as Sean Connery, is a Scottish actor and producer who has won an Academy Award, two BAFTA Awards and three Golden Globes Sir Thomas Sean Connery (born 25 August 1930), better known as Sean Connery, is a Scottish actor and producer who has won an Academy...
wore a Breitling heavily modified as a radiation detector in the 1965 movie ThunderballThunderballThunderball may refer to:*Thunderball , a 1961 James Bond novel by Ian Fleming**Thunderball , a 1965 film adaptation of the novel starring Sean Connery**Thunderball , the soundtrack from the film, or the title song...
.
- Bear GryllsBear GryllsEdward Michael "Bear" Grylls is an English adventurer, writer and television presenter. He is best known for his television series Man vs. Wild, known as Born Survivor in the United Kingdom...
wears an Emergency with yellow face and rubber strap in many episodes of Man vs. WildMan vs. WildMan vs. Wild, also called Born Survivor: Bear Grylls, Ultimate Survival, or Survival Game, is a survival television series hosted by Bear Grylls on the Discovery Channel. In the United Kingdom, the series was originally shown on Channel 4, but later series were broadcast on Discovery Channel UK...
.
Sponsorship
Breitling sponsors aeronautical endeavours, including the first circumnavigation of the globe by balloon (Breitling OrbiterBreitling Orbiter
Breitling Orbiter was the name of three different Rozière balloons made by Cameron Balloons to circumnavigate the globe, named after the sponsor Breitling...
) and the fixed-wing jet pack
Jet pack
Jet pack, rocket belt, rocket pack, and similar names are various types of devices, usually worn on the back, that are propelled by jets of escaping gases so as to allow a single user to fly....
flights of Yves Rossy
Yves Rossy
Yves Rossy is a Swiss pilot, inventor and aviation enthusiast. He is the first person to achieve sustained human flight using a jet-powered fixed wing strapped to his back...
. Breitling sponsors aerobatics
Aerobatics
Aerobatics is the practice of flying maneuvers involving aircraft attitudes that are not used in normal flight. Aerobatics are performed in airplanes and gliders for training, recreation, entertainment and sport...
teams including the Breitling Jet Team
Breitling jet team
thumb|Breitling jet at Air 04, Payerne, Switzerlandthumb|Breitling Jet Team flying in formation during [[CIAF]] 2009The Breitling Jet Team is the largest civilian aerobatic display team in Europe. Based in Dijon, France, it flies seven Aero L-39 Albatros jets...
and Breitling Wingwalkers.
Breitling was a sponsor of Team Bentley during their Le Mans 24 Hours campaign, running from 2001-2003. To commemorate this event,
Breitling created the Limited Edition Breitling Bentley 24 Le Mans Watch.[citation needed]
Breitling also sponsors the Reno Air Race for publicity as well as to increase the brands association with aviation.
Chronosport watches
Breitling also manufactured Chronosport watches in the 1980s with the model name "Pluton",and appeared in the Breitling catalog until 1999.