Interesting This to Know about Your Breitling
What does the model number on my watch mean?
A typical model number looks like this: A17340. The first character, "A", indicates the material of which the watch case is made:
A All stainless steel
B Stainless steel and gold (gold rider tabs only)
C Stainless Steel And Rose Gold
D Stainless steel and gold (full gold bezel)
E All titanium
F Titanium and gold
H Rose gold
J White gold
K Yellow gold
L Platinum
The next two characters, "17", indicate the Breitling caliber number. In this case, the watch is fitted with a B17 caliber. The fourth character, "3", indicates that the movement is COSC certified. If this character reads "0", the movement is not certified. Finally, the last two characters, "40", are model specific. Using the caliber number and the last two digits, the model can be determined. In this case, the watch is a SuperOcean.
How many watches of a particular model were made?
Breitling does not release these numbers.
How do I use the slide rule on my Navitimer?
From the 2001 Chronolog:
Multiplying two numbers:
To multiply 7 by 12, the figure 12 on the outer scale is placed opposite the "10" mark on the inner scale. The result is displayed opposite the figure 7 on the inner scale, namely 84.
Dividing two numbers:
To divide 120 by 4, one need only place the figure 12 (=120) on the outer scale opposite the figure 40 (=4) on the inner scale. The result can be read off opposite the "10" mark on the inner scale, namely 30.
What are the two 60-minute subdials on the TwinSixty/Hercules for?
One is a regular 60-minute chronograph totalizer with a single minute hand. The other, more special totalizer, has both a minute hand and an hour hand like a regular watch. This allows for instant and accurate readings.
What is a UTC Module?
A UTC Module is a small separate quartz watch that is attached to an existing Breitling watch such as a Chronomat or an Aerospace. The UTC Module indicates a second timezone. It requires a special strap or bracelet.
Does the Breitling Emergency really work?
Yes, it transmits on the 121.5 MHz aircraft emergency frequency (243 MHz for military personnel). There have been reports of rescues initiated by users of the Breitling Emergency. Non-aviation emergency initiated transmissions are discouraged by heavy fines.
Can only pilots purchase the Breitling Emergency?
This used to be the case in the US. However, with the introduction of the 2002 model, non-pilots can purchase the Emergency as well. It does have to be registered by submitting your driver's license number.
What is the Breitling Premier?
The original Breitling Premier was made between the 1930s and 1960s. Breitling made the watch in stainless steel and in gold. The Premier is quite collectible today although its value is not astronomical. A stainless steel Premier in decent condition generally fetches between £700 and £1200 while a solid gold model in excellent condition has a value in the neighborhood of £4000.
The Premier used chronograph calibers from Venus. The caliber 150 and the caliber 178 (column-wheel) are two of them.
A modern version of the Premier, reminiscent of the original, was made between 1996 and 1999. It used an ETA 2892 base with a chronograph module. It was available with a silver or black dial, with or without a date function. A special, larger Premier called the Grand Premier was manufactured in 1999.
Is it "Montbrillant" or "Montbrilliant"?
However brilliant this watch may be, the name is still Montbrillant (only one "i").
Breitling Movement Information
What is COSC?
COSC stands for Controle Officiel Suisse des Chronometres and is the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute. A mechanical chronometer certified movement must be accurate to within -4 to +6 seconds per 24 hours. This amounts to a 99.99% rate of accuracy. The entire current Breitling line of watches, mechanical and quartz, is being submitted for certification.
Are all Breitling watches COSC certified?
Not all old Breitling models are COSC certified, but all watches manufactured in 2000 or later are. This is true for both mechanical movements and quartz movements.
Is my watch COSC certified?
If it was manufactured in 2000 or later, it definitely is. If it is older, an easy (but not guaranteed) way to find out is to look for the word "CHRONOMETRE" on the dial or case back. Also, you can check the model number on the case back. If the fourth character is a "3", the watch is certified. If not, the character is a "0". If it is a newer watch, a COSC certificate was also given to you at the time of purchase (if not, talk to your dealer).
Does Breitling make its own movements?
Breitling stopped making in-house movements in the early 1950s. Since then, it has used movements from a number of manufacturers such as Venus, Lemania, ETA, Valjoux and Piguet. Kelek (which is owned by Breitling) develops modules for the base movements, some of which are exclusive to Breitling.
What kind of finishing and modifications go into a Breitling watch movement?
Since Breitling's acquisition of Kelek, the level of finishing and modifications to their movements has increased dramatically. For example, a Breitling caliber 13 enhanced by Kelek tested accurate to +1 second per 24 hours (WatchTime magazine) and is nicely decorated with Geneva Waves and circular graining.
Who is Kelek?
Kelek is a Swiss watch manufacturer founded in 1896 and owned by Breitling. In addition to finishing and modifying Breitling's ETA/Valjoux/other base movements to high standards, Kelek develops in-house modules for them. You can find Kelek's official Web site at www.kelekwatches.com.
There are reports indicating that Kelek has now been fully integrated with Breitling and its new name is Chronometrie Breitling.
Who is ETA?
ETA is a Swiss movement manufacturer owned by the Swatch Group. Its history goes back to the year 1793. The vast majority of Swiss watch manufacturers buy ebauches (raw movements) from ETA. Lower-end manufacturers use the movements as-is, while better firms such as Breitling modify them to their own specifications and requirements. ETA owns the Valjoux firm.
For more information, please see ETA's official Web site.
Who is Valjoux?
Valjoux is a company whose history goes back to the late 1800s. It is well known for its early column-wheel chronograph movements such as the Valjoux 72. In more recent history, the Valjoux 7750 has been used by a great variety of watch manufacturers including Breitling. Another common Valjoux movement is the 7751 which, in addition to the 7750's time/date/chronograph functions, has day and month indicators, a 24-hour indicator and a moon phase indicator. Valjoux is owned by ETA.
What is a 2824?
The 2824 is a mechanical self-winding (automatic) time/date movement made by ETA. It is a very rugged and reliable movement used by many manufacturers. In Breitling form, this movement is accurate enough to pass COSC certification tests. This movement is the base for Breitling caliber 17 used by the SuperOcean and other models.
What is a 2892?
The 2892 is a mechanical self-winding (automatic) time/date movement made by ETA. It is a reliable and fairly thin movement considered more refined than the 2824 workhorse. This movement is known for its great accuracy and is used by many different manufacturers. It can be fitted with a chronograph module.
What is a 7750?
The 7750 is a mechanical self-winding (automatic) time/date/chronograph movement made by Valjoux. It is a rugged, reliable, accurate and thick chronograph movement. Breitling caliber 13 is based on this movement and has proven very impressive in accuracy tests at an average of +1 second per 24 hours. Caliber 13 is used in many Chronomat and Navitimer models as well as in the Avenger.
What is the difference between a mechanical movement and a quartz movement?
In a nutshell: mechanical movements use springs, gears and wheels while quartz movements use batteries and stepping motors. The mechanical movement dates back hundreds of years and has a very rich history and tradition. The quartz movement was introduced in a major way in the 1970s and nearly killed the mechanical watch industry. In the early 1980s, however, there was a mechanical revival and people could once again enjoy the rich history, tradition, quality and workmanship that go into the mechanical movement.
Some describe the mechanical movement as having a heart and soul -- it is alive -- while the quartz movement is a cold piece of electronic circuitry. That is not to say that quartz watches can not be very useful and accurate tools. Oftentimes, quartz movements are more accurate than even the finest mechanical movements.
Breitling makes both mechanical and quartz watches.
What is SuperQuartz?
SuperQuartz was introduced in Breitling's 2002 quartz models and is according to the company 10 times more accurate than standard quartz movements. It is a thermocompensated movement. According to the company, SuperQuartz is proprietary to Breitling.
What movement is in my Breitling?
The Chronolog lists the different Breitling watches and the calibers used.
Navitimer Montbrillant Legende New 2008 Range
If you like big watches then you must love Breitling.
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Web Site Update Launched
Today we Lauched the updated version of our Website, hoping to make life easier for our buyers to find and purchase what they need. The main Product being Breitling due to our positive experience in the product. Have fun!
Breitling History
BREITLING
From 1884 to the present day Breitling still retains a mixture of style and precision.
1884: In St. Imiez, in the Jura mountains of Switzerland, Léon Breitling opens a workshop specializing in making chronographs and precision counters for scientific and industrial purposes.
1891: German Otto Lilienthal, known as the "father of aviation", flies more than 50 meters (165 ft) in his glider.
1892: In response to his company's significant growth, Léon BREITLING relocates in La Chaux-de-Fonds, the centre of Swiss watch making in those days.
1903: On December 17, 1903, at Kitty Hawk (North Carolina), Orville Wright achieves the first powered flight in a heavier-than-air machine: 12 seconds over a distance of 36.5 meters.
1909: On July 25, 1909, Louis Blériot, "conqueror of the Channel" successfully flies from Calais to Dover in 37 minutes, in a Blériot XI.
1913: On September 21, 1913, Adolphe Pégoud, nicknamed "king of the air", loops the first ever loop in aviation history.
1914: On the demise of Léon Breitling, his son Gaston takes over the firm.
1915: Gaston creates the first wristwatch chronograph and subsequently provides pilots with the first wrist instruments.
1918: The spectacular progress made in aviation during World War I does much to hasten the end of the conflict. It is the end of the era of the formidable "Red Baron", Manfred von Richthofen.
1919: On June 15, 1915, John Alcock and his co-pilot Arthur Brown land their Vickers Vimy at Clifden, Ireland. Having left Newfoundland exactly 16 hours and 12 minutes earlier, they become the first to fly over the Atlantic.
1923: Breitling develops the first independent chronograph push piece. Start and return-to-zero functions had previously been controlled using the winding-crown.
1927: On May 20 and 21, 1927, Charles Lindbergh flies the "Spirit of St. Louis" across the Atlantic from New York to Paris in 33 hours, 30 minutes.
1932: Gaston's son, Willy Breitling, takes the helm of the family firm.
1934: Breitling develops the second return-to-zero push piece. This invention, making it possible to measure several successive short times with an added function using the first push piece, gives the wrist chronograph its definitive form.
1935: On January 12, 1935, Amelia Earhart flies solo across the Pacific from Honolulu to Oakland. This feat takes aviation's popularity to dizzying heights.
1936: Breitling becomes official supplier to the Royal Air Force. This marks the start of a long-standing record of cooperation with international aviation.
1938: Boeing presents the first pressurized commercial plane, the Boeing 307.
1940: Igor Sikorsky demonstrates his mastery of free helicopter flight by keeping his VS-300 in the air for over 15 minutes, on May 13, 1940.
1942: Breitling launches the Chronomat, the first chronograph to be fitted with a circular slide rule. In parallel, the company broadens its professional clientele to include the American armed forces. July 18, 1942, sees the test flight of the world's first jet aircraft, the Messerschmitt 262. Equipped with arrow-shaped wings, an aerodynamic fuselage and an ejection seat, it is considered to be the forerunner of modern aircraft.
1947: At 10.30 am on October 14, 1947, the Bell X-1 flown by Chuck Yeager breaks through the hitherto inviolate sound barrier. The era of supersonic flight dawns.
1952: Breitling creates the Navitimer, a wrist instrument equipped with the famous "navigation computer" capable of handling all calculations called for by a flight plan. This super chronograph quickly becomes a firm favourite among pilots around the globe. By this stage, BREITLING is already supplying the major international airlines with cockpit counters. The De Havilland Comet, the first ever-civilian jet aircraft, inaugurates the era of jets on May 2, 1952, with a regular London-Johannesburg flight.
1957: On December 20, 1957, the first series produced Boeing 707 takes off from Seattle. Twice as fast as other commercial aircraft, it offers hitherto unrivalled levels of comfort.
1962: Astronaut Scott Carpenter wears the Cosmonaute chronograph on his wrist during his orbital flight aboard the Aurora 7 space capsule.
1965: Entry into service in the US Air Force of the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird; this high-altitude strategic reconnaissance plane, able to reach three times the speed of sound, quickly pulverizes all speed and altitude records.
1969: Breitling invents the self-winding chronograph movement, in cooperation with Büren and Heuer-Leonidas. This technical feat represents a major breakthrough for the entire Swiss watch industry. The year of superlatives. On February 9, 1969, the Boeing 747 or Jumbo Jet makes a successful test flight. Weighing 315 tons, able to carry 400 passengers or 50 tons of freight and 178 tons of fuel, it is the largest civilian aircraft ever built. Barely a month later, on March 2 in Toulouse, the Franco-British Concorde supersonic plane takes off for the very first time.
1974: The European Airbus project takes shape with the entry into service within Air France of the A-300, the first twin-engined wide-bodied jet airliner.
1979: Ernest Schneider - a pilot, watch manufacturer and microelectronics specialist - takes over the Breitling brand from the founder's grandson, Willy Breitling.
1981: Aeronautical innovations continue with the first stealth bomber, the Lockheed F-117. This aircraft, capable of avoiding radar detection systems, is secretly put into service from 1983 onwards, but its existence will only be officially recognized in 1988.
1984: Breitling launches the Chronomat, in close cooperation with the "Frecce Tricolori" elite flight team. With its sturdy case and famous bezel with rider tabs, the Chronomat marks the return of the chronograph and quickly becomes the best-selling line in the Breitling collection, a position it has held ever since.
1985: The Aerospace, an innovative multifunction electronic chronograph crafted in titanium, immediately appeals to many pilots.
1986: Aboard the experimental Voyager plane, Jeana Jaeger and Dick Rutan achieve the first non-stop round-the-world flight without refuelling, in only 216 hours.
1993: On March 4, 1993, the Saab Gripen began operating within the Swedish Air Force. It is the world's first 4th-generation fighter plane in service. Described as a "multi-role" aircraft, it can be used for interception, attack and reconnaissance missions.
1994: Entry into service of the B-2 stealth bomber made by Northrop Grumman.
1995: Breitling presents the Emergency, a multifunction instrument watch with built-in micro-transmitter broadcasting on the 121.5 MHz aircraft emergency frequency.
1997: A major development in military aviation, with the first flight of the F-22 Raptor from Lockheed Martin; this 4th-generation fighter aircraft, which is also a stealth bomber, is the most sophisticated plane ever built.
1998: Breitling launches the B-1, the most versatile multifunction chronograph ever to emerge from its workshops. Designed in cooperation with aviation professionals and fitted with a microprocessor specially developed for Breitling, the B-1 embodies significant progress in the field of Swiss microelectronic engineering.
1999: The last aviation record is set on March 21st 1999. After 20 days of flight, the experimental Breitling Orbiter 3 balloon, flown by Brian Jones and Bertrand Piccard, touches down in the Egyptian desert. It has achieved the apparently impossible: a non-stop round-the-world balloon flight.
1999: 1st Round the World Balloon Flight by Bertrand Piccard and Brian Jones in the Breitling Orbiter 3 - Duration of the flight was 19 Days 21 Hours 47 Minutes.
The history of Breitling began in 1884, when the company was founded by Leon Breitling, continued by his son and grandson Willy, who in 1934 invented a second return-to-zero push piece, making it possible to measure several successive short times, with an add function, using the first push piece, giving birth to the modern mechanical chronograph. It remains Breitling's biggest selling instrument. Since the 80's when the company was taken over by Ernest Schneider, Breitling has only increased in popularity among the new generation, fascinated by the adventurous image, the rugged oversized cases and complicated dials. Year after year, the House expands its historic collections, which include some of its best sellers like the Crosswind, Chronomat, Wings, Navitimer, Montbrillant and Rattrapante, to name but a few. Included among Tarrytown Jewellers Pre-Owned watch collection are many Breitling's, on bracelets and straps. Call us or drop us an email, to own a premier watch at a discounted price today.
Breitling Chronomat
The Chronomat has a long and storied history. Ernest Schneider acquired Breitling from Willy Breitling in 1979 when the company was on the brink of bankruptcy. Beginning in 1984, the 100th anniversary of the firm's founding, Ernest Schneider sought to bring out a new mechanical wristwatch. Up until that time, Schneider's Breitling offerings were mostly quartz watches with a military flavour. The Breitling version of the story is that they consulted with the Italian air force aerobatic team known as Frecce Tricolori. The result was a chronograph with some peculiar case details. First, it had a flat profile. Most large chronographs have lugs that bend downward toward the wrist. Breitling instead put the "Curve" in the lug end of the bracelet.
The second curious feature of the Chronomat design was screw-on markers at noon, 15, 30 and 45 minutes on the bezel. The rationale for attaching these "rider tabs" with screws was that the bezel could be converted to a countdown timer (although it ratchets in one direction only) by exchanging the 15 and 30-minute tabs.
Perhaps the third unusual feature of the watch was the name. When Schneider bought Breitling from the ailing Willy Breitling, he also bought rights to all registered trademarks. Schneider chose the name of one of the defunct watch lines instead of registering a new trademark. Thus the Breitling Chronomat was reborn, but with no resemblance to the original (which looked much like a present-day Navitimer Montbrillant).
The movement in the Chronomat is the now-popular Valjoux 7750. It has been reported elsewhere that Breitling began with the 17-jewel version, but upgraded during their 97/98 product line to the 25 jewel version. Some have said the Breitling version is not overly adorned or re-tuned. However, in 1997, Breitling bought Kelek and has incorporated their movement technology into their product line. The reports of Breitling's having mechanical problems have subsided. Quietly, people have stopped maligning these watches. Nevertheless, I have been told (so it is third hand now) that older Chronomat's suffered from poor quality control. Be careful when buying an older Pre 1997 used Chronomat.
Other case features: the crown is screw-down. The pushers are an interesting rounded/ridged design that keeps them from dominating the side of the watch. There are crown protectors on either side of the crown protruding from the case.
The case is available in all stainless steel, two-tone (the rider tabs, bezel screws, pushers and crown are 18k gold OR bezel is 18k gold but rider tabs are SS), and all 18k gold. Since the 1994/95 model year, the Breitling emblem on the face is either 18k yellow gold (TT or solid gold versions) or white gold (SS versions). The hands have changed somewhat over time. They are precious metal in the TT/18k gold versions, but the chronograph hands are blue metal. Early Chronomat's have a central chronograph hand that ends in a simple, squared-off tail (see the early Chronomat picture above). Newer Chronomat chronograph hands have the Breitling script "B" and anchor at the end (see the pictures below). The hour and minute hands have tritium fields for luminescence.
Chronomat GT Chronomat Vitesse
Continuing onto the face: there is two face styles currently in production. The "GT" style has large rings around the totalizers (sub dials), and large hour markers ending in tritium dots. The "Vitesse" style has block Arabic numerals for the hour markers, which in turn are filled in with tritium for luminescence. The immediately previous generation of Chronomat's came with either somewhat thinner hour markers, or somewhat smaller and non-slanted numerals.
The face styles and colours are many and varied. I've put a few favourites below, but there are many others.
There are several Chronomat variants/descendents, listed here in no particular order:
· One notable variant is the Chronomat Blackbird, a black faced Chronomat GT (technically, no, it is closer to the Chronomat's prior to 97/98), with an all-matte stainless steel case and (optional) matching pilot bracelet.
· A second variant is the Chronomat Longitude, which has a second, independent hour hand for keeping two time zones. The Longitude's bezel is also bi-directional and marked with hours, so that yet a third time zone can be kept track of.
· On the size front, there are several smaller sizes-- Chrono Sextant (mechaquartz, 36mm diameter), Chrono Jetstream (also mechaquartz, 36.6mm diameter), Chrono Cockpit (automatic, discontinued, 38mm); and, one larger size-- Chrono Crosswind (7750-based, luminous chronograph hands, 44mm)
The bracelets for Chronomat's comes in two options-- a so-called Pilot bracelet or a Rouleaux bracelet.
Pilot Bracelet in stainless steel and or Gold
Rouleaux (bullet) bracelet in stainless steel and or Gold
More to follow soon
