The Breitling Héritage Superocean Chronographe, one of the newest Superocean Models.

Breitling brings another impressive piece of machinery to the table. The Aeromarine Superocean Héritage Chronographe A1332016/G698 is a stylish, imposing addition to a massive library of professional-grade timepieces. While only slightly less ambitious as a tool than the similar Chrono Superocean, the Héritage Chronograph sports several more aesthetically appealing design aspects at a slightly lower cost, making it an alternative for some who might dive just a little less and want their wrist to look a little better.

Not that it isn’t still a fine tool. Luminescent as always and with clear, oversized hands for legibility, the time will be clearly visible to anyone pushing its 200-meter water resistance. Lockable screws provide shock resistance and prevent accidental button-pressing, and double-sided glareproofed crystal casing ensures excellent visibility both in the murky depths and afternoon sunlight. 28,800 vph meets the excellent Breitling standard of smooth hand movement.

One of the remarkable things about the Héritage, though, has little to do with the functionality. With 4 available cases, at least 3 watch faces, and a whopping thirteen different strap choices, aesthetics are very customizable for this timepiece, and they all look fantastic. Some fun can be had on the manufacturer’s site, mixing and matching various pieces. My personal favorite so far is a steel strap, black casing, and “gun blue” dials, which have the main watch face as a dark blue and black for the chronograph faces.

The chronograph itself is as excellent-looking as one would expect from a Breitling. Three dials for seconds, minutes, and hours are slightly recessed into the main watch face, these of course all illuminated in dark lighting. The hours for the chronograph measure up to 12, so any reasonable duration can be recorded with this watch. Official Chronometer certification guarantees a high level of precision from this function as well.

As I’ve noted with a similar Breitling product, this watch is big. An impressive 46-millimeter diameter and 16.4 millimeter thickness makes it a large and imposing statement. For casual wear, it may be a bit much, but that is always dependent on the person wearing it and the setting they decide to wear it in.

The Héritage, like most Breitling gear, is a fine piece of machinery. Smooth, strong, durable, and conspicuous, it will provide strong use for years and look good doing it.

Meet the Breitling Aeromarine Chrono Superocean A1334011/B683. The name's a mouthful, but the watch earns it.

Divers have been using specialized watches for years as guides to telling time and recording diving durations deep underwater. There are plenty of them out there, but with over 50 years of contributing to the field, Breitling has always been a place for professionals to turn. If you have a bit of extra money, and you want to go diving in style and confidence, I present for your consideration the Breitling Aeromarine Chrono-Superocean A1334011/B683.

The watch boasts a long string of impressive technical specifications, probably most important of which is its 500-meter water resistance, an impressive feat for a regular chronograph. With that, you’ll be set for all your underwater ventures short of setting out to break depth records. Large, noticeable time designations and hands, illumination, and glare-proof glass assure clear visibility even in dark waters. While several of the hour tick-marks are obscured by the chronograph wheels, it doesn’t seem to be a visibility issue. The numbered bezel is unidirectional.

The chronograph itself is impressive as well. Three wheels for seconds, minutes and hours – up to twelve hours can be recorded – move at a smooth 28,800 vibrations per hour, or about 8 ticks per second. Any reasonably duration can be very accurately recorded, and while the chronograph faces, slightly recessed in the main face, are smaller, they are still very legible. Lockable pushpieces will prevent you from accidentally pressing buttons underwater, a good shock-resistant safety net for busy divers.

3 dials, 5 straps, and 2 buckles allow you some aesthetic choice when picking out your Chrono Superocean.

With its 15.1 mm thickness, 42 mm diameter, and near-mirror shine, the watch definitely makes a professional and flashy statement. And with 3 available face color combinations and 5 straps to choose from – 4 colored leathers or a stainless steel band – it’s moderately customizable to your aesthetic preferences. Although it looks undeniably great, however, that may be one of its few downsides. The Chrono Superocean is definitely not subtle, and for everyday use it may be a little too flashy. Then again, maybe that’s what you’re looking for – it’s all up to personal preference, really.

The watch is a luxury model, though, and with prices around $4,600 (variable by retailer, of course), should only be considered by those that have a legitimate need for an underwater timing tool or money to spare for its admittedly incredible design. If that is you, however, it would doubtlessly be a nice choice. Breitling has been a strong name in watchmaking for many years, and public opinion towards the Chrono Superocean has been nothing less than positive.

Avenger in Air Force Blue

The Breitling name is a watch brand synonymous with supreme style without sacrificing functionality.  Each Breitling Aeromarine Avenger Model A1338012/C794 is rugged enough to handle depths of 300 meters, and stylish enough to grace the wrist of any professional.  Each model additionally pays special tribute to a branch of our Armed Forces by presenting a dial in Air Force Blue.

This timepiece has the same excellent qualities as other Breitling models, including the sapphire crystal window to the dial.  Breitling pays special attention to small details that end up making a huge impact on the form of the watch.  This includes stenciled minutes on the exterior edges, stenciled steel numbers on the dial, and solid steel screws to hold it all together.  The face of the dial being in Air Force Blue causes the hours to stand out in stark relief, making for extremely easy reading on the fly.  Really, one can hardly go wrong with Breitling engineering.

Not everyone is able to access this timepiece, however.  With a price tag of around $5,000, this watch is more of an investment in quality than an accessory purchase.  Though it is certainly very striking, this watch is not for everyone.  The weight is a concern to some.  About equal to the weight of an iPhone, this is a watch that you will be very aware of on your wrist at all times.  For some, uncomfortably so.

At the end of the day,this is a watch that is most definitely worth the price.  Though the cost is intimidating to some, with your purchase of the Breitling Aeromarine Avenger Model A1338012/C794, you are not simply buying an everyday watch, though this watch can certainly hold up under the most strenuous of everyday usage.  You are also investing in an item that reflects the very best in quality and style.  In keeping with the Breitling code, this timepiece is the epitome of sturdiness, precision, functionality and aesthetic sophistication.  This means that it will stand the test of time not only in terms of functioning, but also in terms of retaining value. It is a truly worthwhile product for the price.

Breitling Avenger A1338012/G694

Any gentleman in search of a watch that instantly describes him as rugged, professional, and supremely stylish without him saying a word should look no further than the Breitling Avenger Model #A1338012/G694.  This watch is the epitome of the four essentials for Breitling:  sturdiness, functionality, precision, and aesthetic sophistication.  The Breitling Avenger Model #A1338012/G694 is truly an extraordinary watch for extraordinary gentlemen.

Brad Pitt sports his own Breitling

Additionally, the sheer level of style and sophistication associated with the brand is reflected in the clientele Breitling enjoys.  A Breitling Avenger Model #A1338012/G694 has graced the wrists of such superstars as Brad Pitt, Gordon Ramsey, and Harrison Ford.  John Travolta is said to own his very own fleet of Breitling watches.

Unfortunately, the price tag attached to the Breitling Avenger Model #A1338012/G694 may very well make this watch inaccessible to a great many potential customers, however.  Each Breitling Avenger Model #A1338012/G694 runs anywhere from $4,000 to in excess of $5,500 depending on the customized options that are chosen.  The weight of the watch is also a concern to some wearers.  At just over 144 grams, each Breitling Avenger Model #A1338012/G694 weighs about the same as an iPhone sans casing, which is a little hefty for some.  The weight comes from the amount of steel used in fashioning the watch, and adds to the durability of each model.

If you’re looking for a chronograph with unparalleled precision, look no further. The Breitling Skyracer Raven A2736423/F532 is a watch built with professional accuracy in mind, all while maintaining a high-tech, classy look.

A look at the Breitling Professional Skyracer Raven.

The Skyracer Raven–as well as the similarly impressive Airwolf Raven–can be distinguished by their black rubber push-pieces and bezels. On the Skyracer, this black next to the stainless steel case makes for a very masculine, no-nonsense effect. This is aided by the rows of numbers and numerous hands that give the wearer incredibly precise information. Breitling has equipped this model with the caliber 27 mechanism, which shows two measured times simultaneously: the sixty minute counter enables the consumer to read measurements under an hour down to a quarter of a second, while the more familiar two-hand counter shows both the hour and the minute. The Skyracer Raven also features a perpetual digital calendar (located where the 6 o’clock mark would be) and a bidirectional pinion bezel with circular slide rule. It’s self-winding, uses sapphire glass glare-proofed on both sides, and has a water resistance level of 200 meters (okay for swimming!). 43.5 mm in diameter and 16 mm thick, this Breitling Professional weighs 124 grams and is sold for around $5,000. You can opt for a white or “mariner blue” dial instead of black, and can choose from Ocean Racer or Driver Pro bracelet styles, both of which are 22mm thick and have attach using a fold-over clasp with a push button.

Breitling is renowned for their 100-plus years of dedication to producing precision chronographs, and the Skyracer Raven seems to be no exception to their quality rule. According to Breitling, the watch is designed to be “the most efficient self-winding chronograph in its category,” which explains why it can confidently give the time down to a slim .25 seconds. The only drawback I can anticipate for the A2736423/F532 is its incredibly busy face, which might take a couple of minutes to figure out. Potential consumers who don’t really need to know what quarter second it is might find it simpler (and perhaps less expensive) to find their watch elsewhere.

For those whose professions or hobbies demand such specificity, however, the Breitling Prossional Skyracer Raven watch would be a good buy. It’s precise, it’s detailed, and it looks good, too. To examine both it and the closely related Airwolf Raven, take a look at brietling.com.

Skyracer Raven Quick Facts:

• Caliber: Breitling 27
• Movement: Self-winding, high frequency
• Chronograph: 1/4 of a second chronograph, central 60-minute and combined 60-minute and 12-hour totalizers
• Jewel: 38 jewels
• Calender: Digital, perpetual
• Case: Steel
• Bracelet: Ocean Racer or Driver Pro
• Water resistance: 200 m (660 ft)
• Bezel: Bidirectional pinion bezel, circular slide rule
• Crown: Screw-locked
• Crystal: Sapphire, glare-proofed both sides
• Diameter: 43.50 mm
• Thickness: 16.00 mm
• Weight: 124.00 gr
• Interhorn width: 22/20 mm

By the 1930's, most airplanes had Breitling Chronographs Installed

An introduction to the Breitling Navitimer Montbrillant A4137012/B986

Breitling SA has been making watches for over 125 years. The founder, Leon Breitling, started his company in St. Imier, Switzerland, long before the Wright Brothers had realized their dreams of flight. By the end of the 1920′s, the airplane was almost as common place as a pocket watch. Less than a decade later, Breitling Chronographs were installed in most airplanes as a standard part of the instrument panel.

Breitling's Navitimer Montbrillant Chronograph Features Slide-Rule Bezel

 The first computer I ever learned to use was a slide rule. As a pilot, it was invaluable to me. A slide rule can calculate fuel consumption, distance vs. fuel ratios, flight times, rates of climb and descent, and airspeed just to name a few. Breitling took that idea one step further in 1952 and put it on the bezel of the Navitimer. The watch — in general — and the circular slide rule — in particular — have made the Navitimer a favorite of the aviation industry ever since.

 The Breitling Navitimer Montbrillant Chronograph, model no. A4137012/B986 does not disappoint. Its stainless steel bezel contains a large face which makes it easy to read, is self-winding and comes with a matching steel bracelet-style band with folding clasp.

 Other features include: 

Professional Pilot and Actor, John Travolta, Wearing his Breitling Navitimer

Professional pilot and actor, John Travolta, wears a Breitling Navitimer Montbrillant as much for its dependability and quality craftsmanship as its understated style. Chef Gordon Ramsay, the television chef from Hell’s Kitchen wears a Breitling Navitimer. The same functions that make the Navitimer a great aviator’s watch are the same functions that could be useful in the kitchen, or even in the classroom.

 The Breitling Navitimer Montbrillant can be purchased online, on average, for between $3,500.00 and $6,500.00.

Breitling Navitimer World Watch for Men h2432212/b928

Are you a world traveler? Do you feel more at home in hotels, international airports, and on foreign soil, than anywhere else? Does the idea of waking up in a city where you know exactly five words or less of the native language appeal to you? With all the adventures you can have traveling across the planet there is one thing you should never have to worry about; what time is it here? The Navitimer World watch by Breitling is a traveler’s dream come true.

The Breitling Navitimer World watch is 10% larger than the original Navitimer making it the largest timepiece created by Breitling. Though it is larger, it is promised to fit comfortably on your wrist. As is customary with all Navitimer watches, it comes equipped with a circular slide rule.

The number one feature that makes this watch ideal for the world trekker is that when it is in its 24-hour mode, it makes it possible to know the time somewhere else on the globe. With its easily readable second time zone hand, it takes just a passing glance to know what time it is in another global location.  Another notable feature of the Navitimer World watch, ideal for a traveler, is the engraving of prominent cities’ time zones on the caseback.

The Breitling Navitimer World watch H2432212/B928 comes with these specific features:

• Case Material: 18K Rose Gold
• Case Diameter: 46.0 mm
• Case Thickness: 15.5 mm
• Dial Color: Black
• Bracelet/Strap: Brown Crocodile Leather
• Clasp Type: Deployment
• Movement: Automatic Self-Winding (caliber 24: 28800 vph, 25 Jewels, 42-hour Power Reserve)
• Functions: Hours, Minutes, Seconds, Chronograph, Date, Second Time Zone
• Bezel: 18K Rose Gold, Bi-Directional Rotating
• Crystal: Scratch Resistant Sapphire
• Case Back: Solid
• Water Resistant: 30m/100ft.

* Limited Edition of 500 Pieces

John Travolta Wearing Breitling Navitimer Watch

Pros: It’s an investment, it is practical, it does way more then just tell the time, it is still the top choice of many commercial pilots, it is water resistant.

Cons: Expensive, retails for around $21,575 and  can be hard to find. Also, it appears to have limited visibility in bad lighting or at night.

Breitling’s watches are not only worn by celebrities such as, Jerry Seinfeld, Bruce Willis, and John Travolta, but have also been featured in over ten movies including: “007: Thunderball, “Rush Hour”, “Space Cowboys”, and “Tomb Raider”.

One of the beautiful things about a Navitimer World watch is that they give you several options to design your own timepiece. You can choose your own case, either steel or rose gold 18k. Then choose your dial; black, blue, or silver. Lastly, select your strap from the options of, a steel bracelet, or leather in the colors of brown, gold, black, or blue.

Breitling began crafting and designing watches 125 years ago, and from its inception Breitling watches were created with the professional in mind. Designed to be more than a watch that tells time, it is a precision measuring instrument for science and sports professionals. The Navitimer’s circular slide rule is capable of performing all calculations a flight plan requires, making this watch an indispensable part of the aviation world.

The circular slide rule enables multiplication and division of two number conversions of nautical miles to kilometers. You can calculate rate of descent, and it allows for conversion of exchange rate. The luminous numbers allow you to tell time in the dark.

Features:

• Bi-directional Rotating Bezel
• Tachometer Scale
• Slide Rule
• Chronograph Functions
• 24-hour world time
• Date display at the 3 o’clock position
• Luminous hand indicators and index hour markers
• Anti-Reflective Scratch-resistant sapphire crystal
• Stainless Steel Case back engraved with world times and cities
• Stainless Steel fluted crown engraved with Breitling Logo
• Swiss Automatic Chronograph Chronometer C.O.S.C. Movement
• Water-resistant to 30 meters/100 feet
  

  black dial and black leather wrist band

The Breitling Navitimer men’s wrist watch is a beautiful watch in modern design. It can be made to measure depending on where you make your purchase, you can choose between the case, dial, and wrist band.

Around the price range of $4,000.00 the Navitimer is a hefty investment. If you are not an aviation enthusiast, an amateur or professional pilot, there is little need for bidirectional slide rule. You can find a high quality, handsome, self-winding chronograph wrist watch at a third of the cost. If this is the type of watch that you are looking for, and the features that you need or want then you can expect the very best from the Navitimer watch, and know it as a trusted instrument that has the stamped approval of the AOPA- the world’s largest grouping of pilots. Breitling’s high quality timepieces have been so trusted and approved, that their engineering has been placed in planes and flight instruments. This is a watch you can trust.

The Breitling Professional Emergency Dial Watch.

If you’re an  aviator  plagued with worry about what might happen in the event of a crisis, purchasing a Breitling Emergency Dial Watch (E7632110/B576) might ease your mind. Breitling has a long history of dedication to precision chronometers, and were the first to submit their models to the rigorous Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (or COSC) in 1999. The Breitling Emergency not only continues this history, but takes an extra step toward professional safety by providing a built-in micro-transmitter whose broadcasts can be received by emergency rescue aircraft. With an approximate retail value of $6200, the Emergency might be worth an anxious pilot’s consideration.

The Breitling Emergency Dial Watch helped to save British pilots Steve Brooks and Hugh Quentin-Smith when their helicopter went down in Antarctica, and it has helped many others. Here’s how it works: in the event of an emergency, the user twists of the large cap at the bottom right of the case and pulls out the wound antenna within. This releases a signal at 121.5 MHz–the frequency used to finding victims with search-and-rescue homing devices. This signal alone will operate for up to 48 hours, and can be picked up within 100 miles of the watch, provided that the ocean or land is flat and that searching aircrafts are flying at about 20,000 ft. When used to complement the aircraft’s own distress signaling equipment, it can increase the pilot’s chance of being found. Once the emergency feature is used, the watch may be sent back to the factory to replace it at no cost—provided that there actually was an emergency.

The Brietling Emergency is made with titanium (though the wristbands also may come in leather), making this 44mm diameter, 15.7 mm thick dial watch a light but durable 86.6 grams. Its glass is made of sapphire and glare-proofed, its bezel a compass scale with 10-degree increments. It features thermo-compensated quartz electronic, analog, and 12/24 hour LCD digital display, as well as an EOL (end of battery life indicator) and a digital calendar with the day and date programmed for four years. Customers can choose between the original black or a yellow, orange, or blue background.

A couple of options for the look of the Breitling Emergency.

At about $6,200, is the Breitling Emergency worth your money? That’s difficult to say. It would almost certainly not behoove those with a pedestrian life to put down the money for this watch, as non-pilots must sign an agreement saying that they will cover the full costs of a rescue if they trigger a false beacon. Celebrities Bear of the show Man vs. Wild and Brad Pitt have sported Emergencies, but their need for it (especially in the case of Brad Pitt) is dubious. If you’re a normal person that just wants a good watch, you might try checking out Breitling models outside of their Professional collection.

Even for pilots, the Breitling Emergency has a couple of caveats that could compromise its value. With no backlight and minimal luminosity on its hands and numbers, the face might be a bit difficult to read in the dark. The watch only has a 3 bar water resistance, which means that it’s suitable for everyday use but damaged if a pilot were to crash in the ocean.  Stormy seas or rugged terrain will compromise the emergency beacon’s ability to be discovered, though the likelihood of a crisis in these environments equals (if not surpasses) that of calm sea or flat land. The 121.5 MHz beacon is too feeble to be detected by satellite, so it relies solely on rescue aircraft.

Still, the Breitling Professional Emergency E7632110/B576 dial watch could do a pilot a lot of good, both in the event of a crisis and as a precise chronometer.  It has helped others, and if you’re an aviator with a love for quality and safety, the Breitling Emergency will feel wonderful on your wrist.

Breitling Emergency Quick Facts (from breitling.com)

Caliber: Breitling 76

Movement: SuperQuartz, thermocompensated quartz electronic, analog and 12/24 hr LCD digital display; EOL indicator

Chronograph: 1/100th second, max. 23hrs59min. 59.99sec.

Calendar: Digital, day and date programmed for 4 years

Case: Titanium

Bracelet: Leather, Driver Pro, or Professional

Water resistance: 3 bars, incl. w/ transmitter in operation

Bezel: Bidirectional, compass scale

Crown: Non screw-locked, two gaskets, integrated pushpiece

Back (or caseback): one-piece case

Crystal: Sapphire, glareproofed both sides

Diameter: 43.00mm

Thickness: 15.70 mm

Weight: 84.60 gr.

Interhorn width: 22/20 mm

Genuine Breitling

It’s true, that Breitling started out to make a great watch, but with followers like Sly, and 007…they were destined to turn into more than your run of the mill watch maker.  These days a Breitling is a status symbol.   No other timepieces are able to turn heads like these.  It’s not just the size of their watches, which is unusually large; it’s the finishing touches, as well.

Breitlings are exceptionally crafted watches, each with special features.  They are not only special, they are unique, well made, one of a kind…and quite often, copied.  Sure, you can duplicate the look of a watch, but it is impossible to copy the movement of a Swiss made mechanical, with Japanese parts.

As with anything that comes into fashion, and is too expensive for the general population, Breitling watches have a host of fakes being made and sold, especially on line.  Breitling warns that any watch, not sold directly through them is possibly a fake.

No matter how good these fakes look, a true Breitling is worth what you pay for it.  If the selling price sounds too good to be true…guess what, it probably is.

If you are in the market for a Breitling timepiece go directly to the source, contact breitling.com.