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Breitling logo '''Breitling''' is a brand of Swiss watches from Grenchen, Canton of Solothurn (originally founded in Saint-Imier, Bernese Jura by Leon Breitling in 1884). The watchmaker offers Certified chronometer watch
Chronometers designed primarily for aviation use, though most frequently worn as high-end luxury watches. Breitling's watches offer aviation functions, though their chronograph functions have become more of status symbols than practically applied tools. They typically have a large face (e.g. the ''Breitling for Bentley Motors'' edition has a 48 mm Case Diameter) for better visibility and to allow display of more information on the analog dials. Many models feature an automatic watch
automatic winding mechanism that is purely mechanical (i.e. using no electronic components). Many Breitling watches are equipped with additional functions such as the flyback chronograph
flyback function, double chronograph
split-second, moon phase, date display and other Complication (horology)
complications. All Breitling watches are manufactured in Switzerland and are made from Swiss components. Raw movements are obtained from ETA SA
ETA and Valjoux and are modified in the Breitling Chronometrie Workshops, before undergoing COSC (Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres) certification. As of 2009, Breitling now makes a manufacture movement, designed, manufactured and assembled completed in-house [http://professionalwatches.com/2009/05/new_calibre_breitlings_new_man.html (B01 Calibre).] Quartz models such as the ''Breitling Aeromarine Colt'' start at $2,055.00 on a rubber strap, while typical prices of mechanical, steel cased models are $7,300 (US) for the ''Breitling for Bentley Motors'' model. The expense is due to the exclusivity of the Bentley trademark, as well as the 38 jewel self-winding movement as these steel cased models are more expensive than some of Breitling's Titanium or Gold models. Some special edition models also include diamonds on various parts of the watch. I.E. Diamond Bezel, Diamond Bracelet, etc. Breitling was a sponsor of Bentley
Team Bentley during their Le Mans 24 Hours campaign, running from 2001-2003. To commemorate this event, Breitling created the Limited Edition Breitling Bentley 24 Le Mans Watch [http://www.theoldwatchshop.com/miscpics/Dscn4563.jpg]. == The Breitling Navitimer == Image:Breitling-Navitimer.jpg
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''Breitling Navitimer'' wristwatch with circular slide rule. In the 1940s, Breitling added a circular slide rule to the bezel of their chronograph models for use by aircraft pilots. This became the famous ''Navitimer'' model. During the 1950s and 1960s, a version of the Navitimer was offered by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association with the AOPA logo on the dial. In 1961, Scott Carpenter, one of the original astronauts in the Mercury space program, approached Breitling with idea of incorporating a 24 hour watch
24 hour dial instead of the normal 12 hour dial. This was needed because of the lack of day and night during space travel. Breitling complied, and produced the 24 hour Navitimer which Carpenter wore on his 1962 space flight. Breitling then proceeded to produce the 24 hour version as the so-called ''Cosmonaute'' Navitimer - under both Breitling and AOPA logos. {{clear}} == The Breitling Emergency == Image:Breitling MG 2705.jpg
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''Breitling Emergency The ''Breitling Emergency'' version contains a radio transmitter for civil aviation use which broadcasts on the 121.5 MHz distress frequency and serves as a back-up for Emergency Locator Transmitter
ELT-type airborne beacons. (For military users, Breitling has equipped the ''Emergency'' with a miniaturized transmitter operating on the 243 MHz military frequency.) Under normal conditions—flat terrain or calm seas—the signal can be picked up at a range of up to 90 nautical miles (167 km) by search aircraft flying at 20,000 feet (6,000 m). As of 1 February 2009, the Cospas-Sarsat Satellite System will no longer monitor the 121.5/243 MHz frequency; however, the signal transmitted by the ''Emergency'' was never strong enough to be picked up by satellite, and Breitling has announced that, as these frequencies will still be monitored by aviation, particularly during the localization phase of a rescue attempt, there are no plans to modify the signal's frequency.[http://forums.watchuseek.com/showpost.php?s=4cf97501950bad87058962fca16d59e5&p=186913&postcount=6] In an incident that demonstrates how the ''Emergency'' can be used to save lives, Reuters reports that two British pilots, Squadron Leader Steve Brooks and Flight Lieutenant Hugh Quentin-Smith, crashed their helicopter in Antarctica and were rescued after activating their Breitling Emergency transmitter watches. The two pilots were in their lifeboat when a Chilean Otter aircraft found them after homing in on signals from their watches. [http://www.timezone.com/library/news/news631795494389687500] The ''Emergency'' is available for customers who do not hold a pilot's licence, but they must sign an agreement stating that they will bear the full costs of a rescue intervention should they trigger the distress beacon. The model was heavily advertised by the ''Breitling Orbiter 3''—both Brian Jones (aeronaut)
Brian Jones and Bertrand Piccard were wearing the ''Emergency''. Also, Bear Grylls wears an ''Emergency'' with yellow face and rubber strap in many episodes of Man vs. Wild. == Additional Breitling Models == <gallery> Image:wrist.jpg
Breitling Chronomat Image:Breitling-Navitimer.jpg
Breitling Navitimer Image:Breitling_for_Bentley_Motors.jpg
Breitling for Bentley Motors: Features a 30 second chronograph Image:Super_Avenger_1.jpg
Breitling Super Avenger (48 mm) Image:Super_Avenger_2.jpg
Breitling Super Avenger (48 mm) Image:SADiamond.jpg
2007 Breitling Super Avenger 48mm w/Diamond Bezel </gallery> == Base Movements == {
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+ Breitling base Movements ! Breitling Movement!!Base Movement
- !B01
Calibre Breitling, first and only in-house movement
- !B10
ETA 2892-A2
- !B11
Lemania 1873
- !B12
Lemania 187
- !B13
Valjoux 7750
- !B17
ETA 2824
- !B18
ETA 2892-A2
- !B19
ETA 2892-A2
- !B20
Valjoux 7750
- !B26
ETA 2892-A2
- !B30
ETA 2892-A2
- !B33
ETA 2892-A2
- !B34
ETA 1185/86
- !B35
ETA 2892
- !B36
ETA 2892
- !B38
ETA 2892-A2
- !B39
ETA 2892-A2
- !B40
ETA 2892-A2
- !B41
ETA 2892
- !B42
ETA 2892
- !B43
Valjoux 7758
- !B44
ETA 2892
- !B45
ETA 2834-2
} Note: The ETA 2892 movements used in Breitling chronographs have been modified by the addition of a chronograph module by Dubois/Depraz.{{fact
date=April 2008}} ==External links== {{commonscat
Breitling}} *[http://www.breitling.com Breitling home page] (requires Macromedia Flash) *[http://www.navitimer.net Guide to the Breitling Navitimer] *[http://www.breitlingsource.com Breitling information] {{Companies portal}} Category:Watch brands Category:Watch manufacturing companies of Switzerland Category:Companies established in 1884 Category:Luxury brands cs:Breitling de:Breitling SA fr:Breitling he:????????? hu:Breitling nl:Breitling ja:??????? pl:Breitling ru:Breitling sv:Breitling
