Tag: breitling

The Grey Watches Market

The grey watches market is often misunderstood by people. It does not involve fake timepieces, but rather genuine watches that are sold by a non-authorized dealer. These types of products can be second hand watches or timepieces sold by an authorized dealer to an unauthorized one. Simply put, they are not fakes, but authentic watches that may not be brand new, do not have a manufacturer warranty and do not enjoy all the privileges of a genuine watch.

It is called a grey market because it is somehow located at the limit between the black market where the fake timepieces are being sold and the white market where the authorized products are available. The retailers that operate on the grey market have no connection with the production, purchase or selling of counterfeit knockoffs. These are individuals that are looking for opportunities of profiting from the retail of designer timepieces which have considerably lower prices and are more attractive for prospect buyers.

There are many ways of telling if a watch is being sold on the grey market or not. For instance, an authorized dealer will never advertise a designer watch at a major discount. Such promotional discounts damage the image and reputation of the brand. This is why, in almost all cases, if a luxury watch has a price reduction of more than 25%-30% then the website offering it is most likely selling a grey market timepiece. Also, the warranty policy is very important when buying a designer watch so be sure to verify the disclaimer on the authentic brand’s website and confirm that it matches with what it is stated on the dealer’s page.

There are numerous online large retail sites like Amazon, eBay and Overstock where you will find grey watches markets. The retailers that have an account on these websites offer genuine products, identical to the ones you would buy from a jeweler’s store, but at a significantly lower price. Other advantages are the free delivery and the absence of the sales tax. All these aspects make the grey market watches incredibly tempting for fans of luxury timepieces that are looking to make important savings. The downside is that if you buy the watch from an online unauthorized dealer then the product won’t have a manufacturer warranty. Since you did not buy the item from an authorized dealer, no servicing center in the world will accept the watch for repairs and usually local jewelers refuse to work on authentic watches because this process is either too complicated or they don’t have the necessary parts to repair them.

If an unauthorized dealer offers to repair the genuine watch in its own service center then you should really reconsider your purchasing decision. They are most likely to use a mediocre skilled watchmaker that doesn’t have access to authentic parts and the result will be disastrous for your watch. After all, even a grey market watch costs a couple thousand dollars so why would you throw this money out the window when you know that the product won’t come with a factory warranty?

April 20, 2016
Breitling Chronomat Airborne

The Breitling Chronomat Airborne was first designed for the Italian air force’s acrobatics team, the “Tricolori” and since then, the watch has become one of the main reference point when it comes to aeronautical chronographs, as it is an extremely useful tool for those working in this field.

The Breitling Chronomat is also known to have saved the company as it was released in a time when mechanical chronographs were not as popular since the quartz watches just started being produced. However, the beautiful Breitling Chronomat Airborne was an incredible hit and everybody wanted to wear one. The watch, however, was designed for pilots and included a few interesting features to help them during their flights; however, the general population found it extremely pleasing. Since then, the watch has been recreated to fit a more modern crowd and some of its updates have been recently presented. The bezel is simpler, the Arabic numerals are gone and the watch has a rougher feeling; the rubber inserts certainly show that the brand is moving in a new direction, a direction that will focus on more modern designs. The dial has also been redesigned and is now available in two colors: a black classic shade and a more silver beige color. It is very minimalistic but watchmakers wanted to keep a sort of aged feeling so they added a few elements to suggest that. The watch comes with a 41 or 44 mm dial measure so that it fits everyone. The strap also comes in two styles, military style or pilot style.

The power reserve on the watch is minimum 70 hours and a chronograph with 1/4^th second, 30 minutes and 12 hours. The watch has a steel case and it’s water resistant to 300 meters. It also features a cambered sapphire crystal with glare proof on both its sides.

It’s safe to say that Breitling managed to make a lovely homage watch for a younger crowd while maintaining the timeless feel older watches used to have. It is an excellent accessory for someone who wants something sporty and casual but also something that will last for generations as the Breitling Chronomat Airborne is definitely made to last.

April 11, 2015
Breitling Cockpit B50

The Cockpit Breitling B50 is definitely the ultimate instrument for the modern pilot as it has been especially created to cater their needs as it features a beautiful and very contemporary looking titanium case. The watch has been created to help pilots in their missions as it offers extremely interesting features such as an ultra-readable display, great user friendly interface and a lot of useful functions such as an electronic tachometer or a device that records flight times. The watch also features SuperQuartz movement which has been researched and perfected for aviation purposes.

Cockpit Breitling B50 is definitely not a simple watch, the dial is filled with all sorts of elements but they all come wrapped in a timeless design with an aeronautical theme which will definitely make it fashionable forever. It comes with two types of straps, a rubber strap and the other, a beautifully designed metal bracelet. Breitling has been creating new types of movement based on their research in thermocompensated quartz movement, which they were already using. These are incredible watches for those who have a great passion for horologic technology but also for those who love collecting interesting and unique designs, and the Cockpit Breitling B50 is for sure a unique design.

The movement is calibre B50, hence the name of the watch, and uses a system to adjust in case temperature affects the accuracy. It also comes with an incredible feature, the fact that it uses rechargeable batteries, which not only means a lot of flexibility for the user, but also a bigger life span for batteries and the way the batteries are charged is pretty awesome itself. The watch uses a magnetic connector that can be attached to the left side of the case and charged through the AC adapter or even your computer through USB port. The chronograph is 1/100^th second with a maximum of 99 hours 59 minutes and 59 seconds. There is also a flight time chronograph a second time zone and an alarm feature. The calendar is digital and perpetual and the water resistance of this watch is 100 meters or 330 feet. The case is made out of black titanium with black screws on the back, offering the watch its futuristic look paired with the bidirectional bezel with compass scale. The crown is non-screw locked with two gaskets and integrated push piece and the watch features a campered sapphire with glare proof on both sides. Its diameter might be considered pretty big for some, at about 46 mm, but it’s an excellent choice as it offers a wide range of features for its size.

March 18, 2015
Breitling Avenger Blackbird

Just as its name suggests, the Breitling Avenger Blackbird is something that is easily picked by someone who wants something rough, something special in a military kind of way. The watch has an imposing diameter created with a light and very sturdy titanium case and an incredible dial that shows off all the features. There are also black elements with technical and very sophisticated touches that are observed on closer inspection, not to mention the fact that the watch wraps around your wrist by using a military like strap. One thing is for certain, if you want the best precision and an amazing mechanism, this is the watch for you: a performance like no other in the history of Breitling, the Avenger Blackbird was created for outstanding results.

Its huge 48 mm case is extremely imposing and definitely not something everyone would choose, but it isn’t supposed to be worn by anyone; it will certainly be desired by those who have a true passion for technology and precision. Despite its huge appearance, the watch does have a very ergonomic design and has been produced with a slimmer case to take away from the bulkiness. It was also designed with titanium and inward curving lugs, all of which will allow for a lighter weight. So, this watch only looks extremely heavy but it’s quite comfortable to wear.

At a closer inspection you will notice the bold design on the dial by showing oversized hands and large elements. There is also luminescent coating on the dial so that the wearer sees everything in the dark. Inside, the watch has been equipped with a Breitling Caliber 17 self-winding movement with a high frequency. It also has a calendar function at 3 ‘o ‘clock and a sapphire crystal with double anti-reflective coating.

The watch has been built with a water resistance of 300 meters which makes it perfect for swimming but should be taken off while diving. Overall it has a wonderful feel and remarkable functionality that will be noticed immediately. However, Breitling Avenger Blackbird does not feature a classic design and is a better option for those who love sport watches.

January 1, 2015
Breitling Superocean Heritage

The Superocean Heritage Chronographe is one of Breitling’s most impressive watches both through its technical abilities as well as through its amazing design. The watch impresses through simplicity. Its simple color pattern is immediately noticeable creating a pleasant and elegant contrast. Its robust shape and chunky features also make it an imposing watch while maintaining its elegance.

The watch is pretty versatile and will work with just about any type of outfit. It is definitely an elegant watch that will shine with a suit or a stylish outfit. It can work perfectly as an accessory to any type of high class event like the opera, the theatre, a philharmonic concert or a ball or gala. It can also work with more causal outfits and can be a good accessory to wear to some sporting events like golfing or a F1 venue.

The diameter of the watch is an imposing 46 mm. While it is designed to work with any size of wrist, it will definitely look better on large wrists. The Superocean Heritage by Breitling also boasts a number of technical abilities that complement its beautiful design. It comes with a chronometer-certified self-winding movement. The watch comes with three counters located at 12 o’clock, 9 o’clock and 6 o’clock. The watch also has a useful date function located at 3 o’clock.

This Breitling comes with a power reserve of 42 hours and three chronographs: the 1/4^th second, 30 minutes and 12 hours. It comes with 25 jewels and a vibration of 28,800 v.p.h. The sturdy case is made from solid stainless steel and gold while the back of the case is screwed in. The watch is water resistant up to 200 meters, making it a great watch to go swimming with, however, it would be recommended to leave it behind while going diving or snorkeling. The bezel is unidirectional and ratcheted while the dial has one screw locked crown and two gaskets.

The sapphire crystal is glare proofed on both sides allowing for superb visibility of the watch indicators in all types of weather and lighting conditions. The sapphire is also scratch proof prolonging the durability of the watch while ensuring it offers clear readings even after a considerable amount of wear and tear.

The watch comes with a wide array of straps that can be made from different types of leather or metallic mesh. The metallic mesh manages to compliment the overall watch beautifully, however, the leather straps can prove to be more durable and give the watch a more casual look. The watch has a thickness of 16,40 mm, a interhorn width of 24/20 mm and weighs a total of 147,40 grams without the strap making it a light watch despite the quality materials and high tech mechanism.

June 1, 2014
Breitling – 11 Collections For An Entire World

Breitling is a Swiss luxury watch manufacturer known for their large timepieces initially designed for aviation use. Although most Breitling watches come with various functions that make them very appealing to pilots, the brand has become more of a luxury brand and customers usually buy the watches for the status symbols. While watches for aviation use is the main theme, Breitling also makes watches for diving and luxury models and here are the collections that can be bought today:

Navitimer: This is the legend of the Breitling brand and it is one of the most popular models in the world. In the 40s, Breitling added a circular slide rule to the Navitimer for aviation use which made the watch an instant hit. In 1961, Breitling was approached by an astronaut of the Mercury space program to replace the 12 hour dial with a 24 hour one because of the lack of day and night on a space flight. The Breitling Navitimer available now pays homage to this legend and brings the same innovative design combined with a fashionable style.

Chronomat: The Breitling Chronomat is the combination of beauty, precision and performance. It is the unique collection that has a great looking design to cover the very precise “engine”. Every model in this collection is elegant and it is simply a pleasure to wear one but as all Breitling watches are more than what they look, they are also precise chronometers.

Superocean: This Collection is designed for diving and it comes with colorful models that look great in any situation. The big numbers and bulky hands make it very easy to read the time while underwater and the sturdy case makes them waterproof for up to 1,500 meters or 5,000 feet. The Breitling Superocean is equipped with a safety valve the balances the difference in pressure between the inside and the outside. The collection is meant to offer great performance for professional divers that are always looking to push the boundaries.

Avenger: The Breitling Avenger embodies the four main elements used by the brand to guide them to perfection. Precision, functionality, resistance and esthetics can all be found in the Avenger Collection. These watches have a shock resistant case and are waterproof for up to 300 meters. The sturdiness offered by a Breitling Avenger cannot be found in any other watch in the world and it is perfect for rough situations; despite all this, it still looks great.

Transocean: This collection is all about elegance and there aren’t many watches that can compare with the Breitling Transocean when it comes to pure luxury. It is simply designed to offer the basics but in an elegant way; the three hands are straight and the lines are of a timeless beauty. The cross layout on the display divides it into four equal parts in a subtle way and there is simply not wrong with this elegant watch. The other watch in this collection is the Transocean Chronograph which offers the elegance of the first model but also the style of a 60s chronograph. The details in this model are simply amazing and the beautiful design covers a high performance movement created in the Breitling workshop.

Galactic: The Breitling Galactic Collection offers an escape out of the ordinary. This collection includes two chronographs, two glamorous models that are covered in diamonds and precision stones, and two elegant watches for those that don’t really require chronograph functions. The same design can be found in each model but they are all unique in one way or another. An elegant collection that has everything it needs to satisfy all types of customers, from simple to blinding.

Superocean Heritage: While this collection resembles the Superocean collection and it is still aimed for divers, it has a plus of style. Made to resemble the watch of the 60s, this superb collection offers four watches that are simply elegant, one of which has chronograph functions. There are different colors and sizes to choose from thus making this collection a very fashionable one. Functionality is always a priority for Breitling so the Superocean Heritage is water-resistant for up 200 meters. There are small differences between the three models such as the positioning of the date and the display of the seconds dial; they all bring a retro style which will surely appeal to collectors.

Chrono-Matic: The Breitling Chrono-Matic Collection offers the best performance and amount of detail available. The chronograph functions are what make this collection a professional one and the modern design looks incredible. Every model can display information such as day and date in a very special way giving the watch a resemblance with the control panel of an airplane. The Chrono-Matic QP can indicate the day, the date, the week, the month, the season and the moon phases; it also takes into consideration the leap years.

Montbrillant: The Breitling Montbrillant is a famous watch from the past brought back to life in the most elegant way possible. It is easy to see the 40s esthetic characteristics as well as the reasonable case size, 38 mm; this is considered small for Breitling seeing that the normal size of their watches is 41 mm. This collection offers classic looking chronographs usually made out of gold or steel. Another feature about this collection is the usage of the old Breitling logo, the classic “B”, which was available until the mid 20^th century.

Colt: A watch that deserves to be in the air. The Breitling Colt Collection offers polished and satin brushed watches perfect for every occasion and for every environment. The sturdy 44mm case allows it to be water resistant for up to 300 or 500 meters. It is equipped with the best electronic technology that offers a much more precise read; Breitling says that this movement is ten times more accurate than the standard quartz movements. Only one of the three models in this collection has chronograph functions.

Professional: As the name implies, the Breitling Professional Collection is all about performance. These watches offer a precise read; most of the watches in this collection have an electronic movement and display that can measure and show 1/100^th second. The most popular watch in this collection is the Aerospace which despite its many features, only has one crown to control them. This collection is very appreciated among race enthusiasts due to its precise read.

There we go, the 11 collections from Breitling that range from air to water and from fire to land. There are watches to satisfy every taste and it is safe to say that they all have one thing in common; all of them are special and they also look amazing. We didn’t expect anything less from Breitling and it is easy to see their heritage as well as their plans for the future.

February 3, 2014