In order to share its passion for aviation, Breitling recently launched a photo competition on Facebook. The lucky winner has been selected and will have the opportunity to take his pilot’s license entirely paid for by the brand. Find wallpaper-size versions of the winning images inside.

The first-prize winner is Jeremy P. Hampton, from Overland Park, Kansas, for his photo “Future of flight meets the history of flight”. Jeremy’s image was chosen from the 5,000 pictures selected for the competition. As the winner, he will receive a full all-expenses paid training course leading up to his pilot’s license.

The winner of the second prize, Tyler Rogoway, from Portland, Oregon will fly with the Breitling Jet Team, the largest civilian professional flight team performing in jets.

The winners were chosen by Breitling fans on Facebook, as well as by a panel of top-level judges including actor and pilot John Travolta, famous air-to-air photographer Katsuhiko Tokunaga, aviation pioneer Yves “Jetman” Rossy, Breitling Jet Team aerobatics team leader Jacques Bothelin, hot-air balloonist Brian Jones – co-pilot of the world’s first nonstop round-the-world balloon flight aboard Breitling Orbiter 3 in 1999 – as well as Tony Velocci, editor-in-chief of the prestigious U.S. magazine Aviation Week.

See Breitling’s Facebook page for more details: www.facebook.com/Breitling

The images may be enlarged with a click.

Jeremy P. Hampton’s winning photograph “Future of flight meets the history of flight”.

Tyler Rogoway’s runner-up image “Falling Charcoal”

In contests running right now, Breitling is offering a chance to get your pilot’s license, or to fly with the Breitling Jet Team. Maurice Lacroix offers the lucky winner a two-week, five-city around the world trip next month with chances to meet brand ambassadors such as Sir Bob Geldof or Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales. Find more information and links to the contests inside.

Breitling’s photo contest is underway and there is only one week left. The contest closes May 17. To enter and for more details, visit Breitling’s Facebook page and sumbit a photo that best captures the spirit of aviation. Submissions will be voted on by Breitling Facebook fans and by a panel of judges including actor and pilot John Travolta, professional air-to-air photographer Katsuhiko Tokunaga, and aviation pioneer Yves “Jetman” Rossy beginning May 18th. Winners will be announced June 15th.

Under its slogan Never Stop Moving, Maurice Lacroix launches its new automatic masterpiece models with a contest in which the prize is a trip to five global cities over two weeks for one traveller. The lucky winner will explore each city’s most exclusive hotspots and meet some of Maurice Lacroix’s inspirational brand ambassadors – among them, music legend Sir Bob Geldof, golf star Justin Rose or Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales. Which cities will the winner visit? That’s part of the contest. The journey starts at the production site of Maurice Lacroix in Swiss Saignelégier. From there, each global destination will be voted on by the Facebook community. The only details that are already confirmed are that the journey will span Asia, America and Europe.

The contest is open to everyone over age 25 holding a valid passport. Visit the contest mini-site, and get details about how to enter and submit your entry at the official Maurice Lacroix Facebook page.

After a temporary grounding for maintenance work, the famous Breitling Super Constellation aircraft is preparing to take to the air once more. To honor the occasion, Breitling has announced the launch of a limited edition Navitimer chronograph that will delight collectors while raising funds to secure this historic aircraft’s future. Find wallpaper (for both the airborne and wristborne Super Connies), along with pricing, inside.

For aviation fans, the Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation remains one of the finest symbols of the conquest of the skies. Equipped with four ultra-powerful “turbo-compound” engines, this magnificent propeller-driven long-haul plane dominated civil aviation in the 1950s and established itself as the “King of the Atlantic”. It is also famed for its incomparable silhouette featuring a dolphin-like curved fuselage and triple-tail design.

In a ceremony held on April 30th in Germany, Breitling renewed its financial support for the preservation of this legendary aircraft. The Breitling Super Constellation “Star of Switzerland” is one of the last three “Super Connies” in flightworthy condition on the planet, and the only one based in Europe – as well as the only one equipped for passenger flights. Built in 1955, it was restored in the 1990s by a group of passionate devotees and made its grand comeback to the Old Continent in 2004. Since then, it has regularly taken part in various air shows, and each of its appearances is enthusiastically greeted by spectators.

Over the past few months, the Breitling Super Constellation has undergone maintenance operations, particularly for corrosion issues. The hundreds of hours of work also involved applying a new paint job featuring an elegant blue line accentuating its aerodynamic profile. The “Star of Switzerland” is now ready to take off again.

The plane was officially presented on April 30th in Lahr, in the Black Forest region of Germany, before representatives of the press and guests of the brand, and in the company of quadruple Olympic ski-jumping champion and “godfather” of the Breitling Super Constellation, Simon Ammann. During the ceremony, Ammann presented the “Super Constellation Flyers Association” with a check for 200,000 Swiss Francs on behalf of Breitling in support of the endeavors to safeguard this historical aircraft.

The brand is also launching a limited edition of its legendary Navitimer aviation chronograph, the sale of which will fund another 200,000 Swiss Franc check for the association. Issued in a limited run of 1,049 – in tribute to the Lockheed L-1049 – this instrument for professionals bears the inscription “Breitling Super Constellation” on its dial, as well as a golden B, shaped like the 1950s logo, an initial also echoed on the plane’s three rear stabilizers. The caseback is engraved with the technical specifications of the “Super Connie” as well as its silhouette appearing in a medallion.

By supporting the safeguarding the Super Constellation, Breitling confirms its determination to preserve the heritage of aviation – the adventure with which its own history is so closely entwined.

The list price for the Navitimer Super Constellation will be $6475. Additional technical information appears below the images, which may be enlarged significantly with a click.

Movement: Breitling Caliber 23, officially chronometer-certified by the COSC, selfwinding, high-frequency (28,800 vibrations per hour), 25 jewels. 1/4th of a second chronograph, 30-minute and 12-hour totalizers. Calendar.

Case: Steel, limited series of 1,049. Resistance to 3 bars. Rotating bezel with circular slide rule. Cambered sapphire crystal, glareproofed on both sides. Diameter: 42 mm.

Dial: Black.

Strap/Bracelet: Barenia leather, crocodile leather/Navitimer, Air Racer.

Breitling’s new Chronomat GMT lets you adjust instantly to the time and date on your arrival while maintaining a 24-hour home-time display without losing any precision in counting the minutes. Equipped with the new Breitling Caliber 04, entirely developed and produced within the company workshops, the Chronomat GMT is a special chronograph offering a smoothly functional dual timezone system. Find pricing, arrival dates and wallpaper inside.

To ensure user friendliness, Breitling’s watchmakers and engineers have developed a differential system – for which a patent has been filed – serving to disconnect the local hour hand from the gear train when changing timezone. This operation thus has no effect on the precision of the watch, nor on the performance of the chronograph.

The new Breitling Caliber 04 developed for this model is derived from Breitling Caliber 01, entirely designed and produced within the company workshops. It features the same original architecture including a column wheel, a vertical coupling clutch guaranteeing high-precision activation, and an innovative patented recentering device for the zero-resetting hammers. As is the case for all the brand’s movements, this movement is chronometer-certified by the COSC (Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute).

The sturdy case is water-resistant to 500 meters (1,650 ft) and offers a unidirectional rotating bezel. The dial is available in six colors with tone-on-tone or contrasting totalizers. The triangular openworked red-tipped hand points to home time on a 24-hour graduated scale partially covered by the inner bezel. The luminous home-time hands and hour-markers enhance readability day and night.

The new Chronomat GMT is equipped with two central hour hands. The first matches the minute hand and runs over a 12-hour scale, while the second is tipped with a red triangle and runs in 24-hour mode. When the user is in his home country, the two hour hands move in a perfectly synchronized manner.

To adjust the 12-hour hand to local time, the user simply pulls the crown out to position 2 and turns it in either direction by the number of notches corresponding to the number of hours composing the time difference. The date display is indexed to this 12-hour hand and changes automatically if required, both backwards or forwards. The red-tipped hand keeps track of home time on a 24-hour basis.

Entirely made in Switzerland, the Chronomat GMT may be teamed with a choice of various straps and bracelets offering a variety of styles and uses: the classic touch of Barenia or crocodile leather, the sporty spirit of rubber straps, and the sturdy steel Pilot bracelet.

The price on the Pilot bracelet is $9470. Look for the Chronomat GMT to begin arriving at retailers in May/June.

Additional information appears below the images, which may be enlarged significantly with a click.

Technical Data

Movement

Breitling Caliber 04, officially chronometer-certified by the COSC, selfwinding,
high-frequency (28,800 vibrations per hour), 47 jewels. Over 70-hour power reserve. 24-hour 2nd timezone display. 1/4th of a second chronograph, 30-minute and 12-hour totalizers. Calendar

Case

Steel. Water-resistant to 500 m (1,650 ft/50 bars). Screw-locked crown and pushpieces. Unidirectional ratcheted rotating bezel. Cambered sapphire crystal, glareproofed on both sides.
Diameter: 47 mm.

Dials

Onyx Black, Metallica Blue, Blackeye Blue, Blackeye Gray, Sierra Silver, Metallica Brown.

Straps/bracelet

Barenia leather, crocodile leather, rubber Ocean Racer (perforated), rubber Diver Pro (with raised central ridge)/ Pilot.

Breitling has announced a unique timepiece to celebrate the 100th anniversary of naval aviation – the Naval Centennial Limited Edition Airwolf. The first piece in this series will make a special journey with naval aviators. Learn more and find wallpaper and pricing inside.

This commemorative edition features functions utilized by pilots: 1/100th of a second chronograph with split times, alarm, countdown, 2nd timezone with independent alarm, UTC and perpetual calendar. The NVG-compatible display backlighting system enables night-time read-off and a turbine-shaped caseback serves as a resonance chamber for the alarm.

500 pieces will be produced, with 50 given to the 100th Anniversary of Naval Aviation Foundation, of which Breitling is a Silver National Sponsor. For each additional watch sold, $100 will be donated back to the Foundation.

The first piece produced will make a special journey around the globe with naval aviators throughout 2011, and will arrive back in time for the closing event in Washington, D.C. on December 3, 2011. The timepiece’s travels will be documented and a log of the journey will be presented along with the watch at December’s ceremony.

This special timepiece is just part of Breitling’s year-long salute to the 100th anniversary of naval aviation, which will include events and celebrations that tie in with the watchmaker’s long-time aviation partnerships. The 100th Anniversary of Naval Aviation Foundation is a non-profit that aims to honor and raise awareness for naval aviation; Breitling was selected to be one of a small group of sponsors for the organization’s celebrations.

The Naval Centennial Limited Edition Airwolf is now available at Breitling’s flagship Manhattan boutique, and it will soon be available at the brand’s authorized retailers. The suggested retail price is $4,500. For retail locations, visit www.Breitling.com.

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Breitling is writing a new chapter in the history of the Montbrillant chronograph by equipping it for the first time with Caliber 01, a movement developed and produced in the company workshops in La Chaux-de-Fonds. This is a limited series of 2,000 pieces in steel and 200 in 18K red gold. Look inside for wallpaper and pricing information.

With a look inspired by the 1940s and 50s and featuring a circular slide rule bezel for pilots, the Montbrillant chronograph was named after the building on Montbrillant Street, in the heights of La Chaux-de-Fonds, which housed the Breitling workshops from 1892 to 1979. In these premises, the brand developed inventions and improvements that would significantly advance wrist chronograph movements, including the first independent pushpiece (1915), the second independent pushpiece (1934) and the first selfwinding chronograph (1969). This was also where Breitling produced its first onboard chronographs that contributed to its status as “official supplier to world aviation” during the boom of air transport on propeller-powered and subsequently jet aircraft.

With this new edition, the Montbrillant associates its name with another milestone in the brand’s history – the creation of Breitling’s in-house Caliber 01 chronograph movement. The Montbrillant 01 Limited is issued in twin editions in steel and red gold, with the individual number engraved at 9 o’clock on the case middle. The Mercury Silver dial the traditional central hundredth of a second counter, and an 18K gold version of the stylized B that served as the brand symbol until the mid-20th century. A transparent sapphire crystal caseback provides views of Breitling’s Caliber 01, chronometer-certified by the COSC, with its column wheel and its original structure.

The USA retail price for the steel version on leather strap will be $7415. Technical information appears below the images, which may be substantially enlarged with a click.

Technical Data
Diameter: 40.0mm
Caliber: Breitling 01
Movement: Self-winding, high frequency
Power reserve: Over 70 hours
Chronograph: ¼ second, 30 minutes, 12 hours
Vibration: 28,800 vph
Case: Steel or 18K red gold
Bracelet: Barenia leather, crocodile leather/Navitimer (steel version only), Air Racer
Water resistance: 3 bars
Bezel: Bidirectional rotating slide rule bezel
Crystal: Cambered sapphire with anti-glare coating on both sides

The brand with the winged B is introducing the Transocean Chronograph Limited special series, fitted with the manufacture’s in-house Caliber 01 automatic chronograph movement. The new model pays tribute to a landmark timepiece from the brand’s history, the original Transocean, introduced in 1958. Find more information, including pricing and wallpaper, inside.

During the 1950s and 1960s, Breitling helped conquer the skies. The Navitimer, launched in 1952, established itself as a cult watch among pilots and other devotees of aviation. The brand supplied onboard chronographs for the propeller planes and later the jet planes of numerous aircraft manufacturers and airlines, thus becoming the “official supplier to world aviation”.

In 1958, building upon its reputation as the manufacturer of instruments for professionals, Breitling launched a new model named Transocean. The ad slogan ran “Men who have faith in the mighty liners of the sky will trust the Transocean, for behind every Breitling wristwatch lies the experience of aviation precision.” The super-watertight model was distinguished by its precise chronometer-certified selfwinding movement. Sporting an understated, refined design, it became a great success and proudly accompanied the boom in transatlantic travel in an era when 707s, DC-8s and Caravelle aircraft – three symbols of speed, comfort and security – were bringing continents closer together than ever.

Today Breitling pays tribute to this landmark model in its brand history by launching a new collection also inspired by the spirit of great journeys and luxury long-haul aircraft. The new model’s lines are strongly reminiscent of the classic chronographs of the 1950s and 1960s, reinterpreted in a contemporary style. Classic round pushpieces, a nod to the first water-resistant pushpieces, lend a vintage touch. The dial features refined details such as applied hour-markers, counters that are finely recessed and “snailed” (decorated with a spiral motif), and an 18K gold rendering of the initial B that served for many years as the brand emblem.

At the heart of this model lies its engine, Caliber 01, a selfwinding chronograph movement entirely developed and produced within the Breitling workshop, and chronometer certified like all the brand’s movements. The new Transocean is 100% Swiss made, as are all chronographs and wrist instruments bearing the Breitling signature.

As a prelude to the launch of series-produced models, Breitling offers collectors and enthusiasts of milestone watches a special edition of this new chronograph. Issued in worldwide series of 2,000 in steel and 200 in red gold, the Transocean Chronograph Limited is equipped with a polished case and bezel and carries the individual number engraved on the case middle. It is available with two dial variations – Mercury Silver or black – and comes fitted with a choice of leather or crocodile leather strap, or a woven steel bracelet. The limited models offer a transparent caseback, showing off the Caliber 01 inside, while the later serially-produced models will have solid casebacks.

Pricing for the new Transocean Limited will begin at $7600 for the steel version on strap. Breitling informs us that deliveries to USA retailers should begin within the next few weeks.

The final image below can be enlarged to 2800×1800 with a click.

Learn more at the official Breitling website.

Just in time for the holidays, Breitling introduces a new flagship, the Chronomat 01 Limited Edition. At Basel 2009, Breitling debuted the Chronomat 01 with the Caliber 01 manufacture movement, developed and produced at the brand’s workshops in La Chaux-de-Fonds. Now Breitling ups the ante with limited steel and red gold versions. Find prices and wallpaper inside.

The Chronomat 01 Limited Edition will be produced in a series 2,000 pieces in steel and 200 in red gold, both on bracelets, each piece with its individual number engraved on the side of the case at 9 o’clock. The case is also distinguished by subtle contrasted finishing – satin-brushed on the top and polished on the sides. Both the steel and gold versions feature a black dial adorned with applied hour-markers. Unlike the standard Chronomat 01 models which have solid casebacks, the Limited Edition models offer transparent sapphire crystal casebacks, providing optimal views of the in-house chronograph movement.

The Chronomat 01 Limited Edition is due to reach retailers in December. The steel version lists at $8,150, and the red gold model is priced at $39,000.

Learn more at the official Breitling website.

Go inside Breitling’s manufacture in the December issue of WatchTime, coming to newsstands soon.

The first three images below may be enlarged slightly with a click, while the final image will become much larger.

Breitling’s iconic Navitimer – a favorite among pilots and collectors alike – will be available next spring in a limited edition powered by the brand’s in-house, chronometer-certified chronograph Caliber B01. The series will include 2000 pieces in steel and 200 in 18k red gold, both available on strap or bracelet. Prices appear below, along with an image of the watch you can enlarge to wallpaper size.

The Navitimer was launched in the mid-1950s as a watch designed specifically for pilots. It bore the logo of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) and became the group’s official timepiece. The circular slide-rule bezel allows pilots to make critical calculations such as fuel consumption, distance traveled, and rate of climb/descent. A “Cosmonaut” version of the Navitimer accompanied Scott Carpenter on Aurora 7 in 1962, making it the first wrist chronograph in space.

The new limited edition Navitimer Caliber 01 is distinguished by its slightly broader 43mm diameter, compared with 42mm for the series-produced Navitimer. The case is water resistant to 3 bar or 100 feet. Twin anti-reflective sapphire crystals allow clear views of the dial and movement. Each piece bears a unique serial number engraved on the side of the case.

The dial, available only in black, is made using the épargne process on a solid silver or gold base. This technique enhances the radiance and legibility of the chronograph indicators. The slightly-raised Breitling “wings” logo is executed in gold.

The automatic-winding movement ticks at 28,800 vph, measuring elapsed time in quarter-second increments. The displays include central chronograph seconds, continuous seconds at 9, and a jumping 30 minute totalizer at 3. The movement incorporates a column-wheel switching mechanism and vertical clutch to ensure that the chronograph seconds hand is engaged smoothly. The movement includes a patented system for adjusting the start, stop and reset hammers. The instant-change date can be set at any time, including near midnight. The 47 jewel movement uses a flat hairspring and a smooth balance wheel. A single barrel provides 70 hours of power reserve. Like all Breitling movements, Caliber B01 is a COSC-certified chronometer.

The steel version of the Navitimer Caliber 01 will be priced at $7,475 on leather and $8,715 on bracelet. The red gold version will be $17,705 on a crocodile strap.

Learn more at the official Breitling website.

You may click the images to view larger versions.

After conquering the skies, in 1957 Breitling set course for the sea with the launch of the original Superocean, equipped with a highly readable dial, armored glass, and a monohull case watertight to 200 meters or 660 feet – quite a feat for the time. Originally designed for professional and military divers, the watch soon developed a following among enthusiasts and leisure divers. At Baselworld, Breitling launched the latest Superocean with an entirely new design.

The 42mm stainless steel case is water resistant to 1500 meters or 5000 feet. Dive-specific features include a screw lock crown, helium escape valve, unidirectional rubber-molded ratcheted bezel, and a thick, cambered sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both sides. Oversized numbers, hour markers and hands with Superluminova assure excellent legibility even in low light. The movement is Breitling Caliber 17 with date display at 3 o’clock. It is officially chronometer certified by COSC. It offers automatic winding and runs in 25 jewels at 28,800 vph.

Colored inner bezel rings add a touch of style. The rings are available in black, white, red, blue and yellow. The ring’s color is also picked up in the arrow-shaped tip of the seconds hand. The new Superocean is available on either a Diver Pro or Ocean Racer rubber straps with either a tang or deployant buckle, the latter offering fine size adjustment and a diver’s extension. The watch is also available on a steel Professional bracelet. The entry point on rubber strap with tang buckle is $2695. The deployant takes the price to $2995, and on the steel Professional bracelet the MSRP is $3085.

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