Exospace B55.
Still a family business, as well as one of the last independent Swiss brands, Breitling boasts 132 years and counting of watchmaking, having added countless chronographs to its archive.
The latest, aviation-themed models introduce an ultralight material and a smartphone synchronisation, the latter demonstrating Breitling’s knack for electronics.
Despite its 50mm diameter, the XXL Avenger Hurricane is not a “heavyweight” watch due to Breitlight, a polymer-based material four times lighter than titanium but significantly harder.
The futuristic case material is antimagnetic, anti-allergic, thermally stable and resistant to scratches, traction and corrosion. Its slightly mottled effect accentuates the design of the beefy black model with yellow accents.
Besides the 24-hour display customary in pilot watches, the Avenger Hurricane features luminescent aviation-inspired stencil-type numerals and hands along with a glare-proof sapphire crystal that ensures readability, while pushpieces and crown are fitted with a non-slip grip that enables handling even when you’re wearing gloves.
Powered by a new self-winding chronograph movement, the oversized timepiece claims to rest comfortably on the wrist, as the strap combines a yellow rubber core and sides with a high-resistance black-military textile-fibre exterior.
Breitling’s ties with aviation began with onboard chronographs, which migrated from aircraft cockpits to the wrist following the 1952 launch of the Navitimer, equipped with a circular aviation slide rule.
Hailed as a milestone chronograph, the limited edition Navitimer 1884 combines the iconic slide rule with a calendar displaying the day and month through twin apertures at 12 o’clock; and the date by means of the 1940s Datora system, whose central pointer is tipped with a moon crescent.
The 9 o’clock small seconds subdial provides a 24-hour “military time” display that facilitates calendar adjustments by distinguishing between day and night.
Matching the dark dial, the choice of straps includes a black rubber featuring an aircraft-tire-tread pattern. This contributes even further to the 46mm steel model’s sporty all-black look.
In the same size but with the case in black titanium, Exospace B55 is Breitling’s first connected chronograph to stay competitive in the digital age.
Fitted with a SuperQuartz movement, the model synchronises with a smartphone, and can be used to make adjustments in time-setting, timezones and alarms.
Information such as flight and lap times from the watch can be uploaded to the smartphone, and the electronic chronograph can receive notification of incoming emails, messages (SMS, WhatsApp) and phone numbers, as well as reminders of appointments.
The analogue and digital display still offer original functions for pilots, such as an electronic tachymeter and a chronograph recording up to 50 split times.
When the hand is gripping aircraft controls or a steering wheel, simply tilting the wrist at more than a 35-degree angle or pressing the crown activates the two-LCD backlit display.
User-friendliness is further enhanced by a control mode involving function selection by rotating the crown and activation/deactivation by means of two pushpieces.
Navitimer 1884.
Avenger Hurricane.
This source first appeared on Bangkok Post Lifestyle.