Baselworld 2013…

Quick look!

Baselworld 2013…

Breitling fans have been waiting for this one, and it is now here:  the new Breitling Emergency II.  It has some new features including a rechargeable battery, a dual frequency transmitter, and an integrated antenna system.  The original Breitling Emergency first debuted in 1995 and operated on the 121.5 MHz international air distress frequency.  The Emergency II is the big release from Breitling this year, though they do have some other pieces you’ll want to see, including a gorgeous Transocean Chronograph Perpetual Calendar (I’ll get to that soon).
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Breitling for Bentley celebrates ten years in partnership with three new chronographs equipped with in-house calibers.  The Bentley B06 is distinguished by its exclusive “30-second chronograph” system; the Bentley B04 GMT and Bentley B05 Unitime models have dual timezone and worldtime mechanisms, respectively.  If you want to see a close-up of any of them, drop a comment below and I’ll provide more high-res images.

Breitling for Bentley B04 GMT, B05 Unitime, B06 Chronograph

(pictured left to right)

all 49mm case (steel or red gold offered)

Baselworld 2013 preview…

Often a favorite of watch fans, the Breitling for Bentley series will get a new addition to the series the Breitling for Bentley – Light Body Midnight Carbon watch.  A limited edition of 1,00o pieces (not bad for a brand as big as Breitling), the watch has a black carbon-coated titanium case with the knurled bezel bezel which is signature to the series as it evokes the radiator grilles gracing the prow of Bentley cars.

Automatic mechanical movement with small second, 15-minute and 6-hour subs.  There is also a neat and ingenious feature — a 30-second, center-set hand.  This hand sweeps the dial at 2x a normal seconds hand, which enables 1/8th second chronograph second readings.

Even though it seems to do well with Breitling aficionados, I do wish they would downsize the piece — at 49mm, it is just too big for me which is unfortunate because I like the overall style.

Last month Breitling announced its Transocean watch would be produced in a 38mm case.  Normally a 43mm piece, Breitling seems intent to more heavily market this piece to women – as evidenced by its press materials, etc.  For me, however, I wonder if this could be a respectable man’s watch.  The Breitling Transocean 38 comes in a choice of steel or 18K red gold case.  The caseback (not pictured) is stylized with two planes, a longtime Breitling symbol.  The automatic mechanical, bi-compax chrono movement is, of course, COSC certified.  Available on a variety of Breitling straps or steel mesh bracelet.  What do you think of this new piece?  Would you wear it in 38mm?

Breitling Transocean Chrono 38mm

Official specs at: http://www.breitling.com/en/models/transocean/transocean-chronograph-38/ma-breitling-sur-mesure/index.php

Breitling brings a new color-set to its popular Avenger Seawolf Blacksteel series, now in its 10th year. The “Code Yellow” is a diver’s watch with 3,000-meter/10,000-feet water resistance and a 45mm carbon-treated black steel case, limited to 1,000 pieces. And the usual specs such as screw-down crown, unidirectional rotating bezel, domed glareproof sapphire crystal, and an automatic mechanical Breitling Caliber 17 movement (COSC-certified). The watch is available in your choice of rubber straps — the perforated “Ocean Racer” ($5,420) or a raised-ridge “Diver Pro II” ($4,720), as shown here. Great looking watch, very tactical, and with solid specs.

If interested, click through for a close-up look at the dial and crown.

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Is it Friday already?  Let’s jump into the weekend with another new “Midnight Carbon” model, aka Black Steel, from Breitling.  This piece falls within the “Breitling for Bentley” collection and will be produced in a limited edition of 1,000 pieces. I’ve covered plenty of “Breitling for Bentley” watches here over the years, but I believe this is the first “Barnato” model.   What I am liking about this piece is its case size — 42mm.  This is a very wearable size and quite a bit smaller than most Breitling for Bentley models which tend to clock in at a rather hefty 49mm.   More look and info — including of course some Bentley looks — on the jump…
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One thing I always strive to do, and take great pride in here at Perpetuelle, is highlighting what I like to call “a good watch for a great cause” — and today I’ve got just that.  On Veteran’s Day 2011 (Nov’11), Breitling launched the American Tribute Watch, an exclusive limited quantity of 50 pieces.   The timepiece was available for purchase at the brand’s boutiques in Manhattan, New York and Aventura, Florida.  I was pleased to learn that all 50 pieces sold, and as a result Breitling donated $160,00o (100% of proceeds) to Fisher House Foundation, a military charity that constructs homes and provides free, temporary housing to the families of service members needing medical care across the country.  Fisher House is the “home away from home” for many military families during hospitalization for an illness or injury.

Hats off to Breitling — thanks for supporting our veterans and service members with this endeavor.  And of course heartfelt thanks to Fisher House for all that you have and continue to do.  Fisher House is a superb charity and if you are interested in learning more please read below and/or visit www.fisherhouse.org. 

The $160,000 was presented to CEO President of Fisher House Foundation, Ken Fisher (right), by Breitling USA President Thierry Prissert (left) during a private ceremony in New York City last week

The Breitling American Tribute Watch is based on the current Breitling Chronomat 44 watch, and features Caliber 01, the 100 percent in-house chronograph movement created by Breitling.   Each of the 50 limited pieces are individually numbered and feature a commemorative etching on the back of the watch face, paying tribute to American Veterans with the statement “Breitling for America. United We Stand.”

ABOUT FISHER HOUSE

Fisher House Foundation is best known for the network of comfort homes built on the grounds of major military and VA medical centers. The Fisher Houses are 5,000 to 16,800 square-foot homes, donated to the military and Department of Veterans Affairs, where families can stay while a loved one is receiving treatment. Additionally, the Foundation ensures that families of service men and women wounded in Iraq or Afghanistan are not burdened with unnecessary expense during a time of crisis.

Located in proximity to the medical center or hospital it serves, each Fisher House consists of  between 8 and 21 suites, with private bedrooms and baths. Families share a common kitchen, laundry facilities, spacious dining room and an inviting living room with a library and toys for children. Fisher House Foundation ensures that there is no fee to stay in a Fisher House. Since inception, the program has saved military and veteran families an estimated $165 million in out of pocket costs for lodging and transportation.

Fisher House Foundation operates the Hero Miles Program, using donated frequent flyer miles to bring family members to the bedside of injured service members. To date, Hero Miles has provided over 25,000 airline tickets to our military and their families. The Foundation also manages a grant program that supports other military charities and scholarship funds for military children, spouses and children
of fallen and disabled veterans.

To learn more about Fisher House and how Breitling and others are giving, please visit www.fisherhouse.org/community/how-others-are-giving/.

If you know of a “good watch for a great cause” — anywhere in the world, large or small — and it has not been featured here at Perpetuelle, please let me know via email:  kyle [at] perpetuelle.com.

Renowned Hollywood celebrity and Breitling Ambassador John Travolta is in Singapore this week to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the iconic aviation timepiece, the Breitling Navitimer.  The watch on Travolta’s wrist?  The newly launched Breitling Navitimer Blue Sky.

The best part about this watch, aside from its good looks?  It is limited to just 500 pieces globally — making it a true Breitling collector’s piece.  Breitling fans this is one you don’t want to miss…

John Travolta posing with his new Breilting Navitimer Blue Sky and he Singapore skyline behind him

Click through for a look at the new Breitling Navitimer Blue Sky

Clearly Chanel was way ahead of its time.  Now the J12 ceramic watch can be joined at the party by these white companions — the Hublot Oceanographic 4000 King Gold White and the Breitling Superocean 42 WhiteWater.  Perfect for the jet setting lady of summer…or is it a man’s watch?  Certainly these fine specimens may find it hard to escape fashion sense of Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino of the Jersey Shore (pictured).  Looks aside, don’t let it be lost on you that these watches can perform!  1,500 meter and 4,000 meter water resistance — fashion and function!  On second thought, I think I will pick one up for Diddy’s summer “White Party“.

Hublot Oceanographic 4000 King Gold White

48mm King Gold (18K gold + 5% platinum) case, white rubber strap

Breitling Superocean WhiteWater

42mm steel case, white rubber bezel and strap

White Watch Wearer:  Jersey Shore’s Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino