Breitling was one of the first to hop on the smartwatch trend and is arguably among the best doing it today. It’s certainly a bold move and one that not all luxury watchmakers are taking on. However, Breitling has done so not only enthusiastically, but also quite well – staying totally true to their brand and ethos. In fact, on their website, you won’t find this line of watches under any sort of ‘smart’ moniker, but rather as their ‘professional’ range, built as instruments to aid, as they say, “every adventurer with a hybrid of technologies” – shall we take a look?
Breitling Aerospace EVO
A legacy piece, the Aerospace EVO is a nod to the revolutionary Breitling Aerospace, which when it was released back in 1985, featured a striking and new analog and digital hybrid display. This new model is built on the same technical style but features the latest advances like the chronometer-certified SuperQuartz™ caliber and intuitive crown-activated control system. With the Aerospace EVO, pilots can keep track of time down to 1/100th of a second, set a second-time zone, activate an audible time signal and calendar, and easily start and stop the countdown timer.
Breitling has introduced several iterations of this model, including a few notable limited editions. In our Aerospace Evo Cirrus Aircraft review, we take a closer look at a limited edition version, which features a stealth-look multifunction electronic chronograph in black satin-brushed titanium. Issued in a series of just 220 pieces, it’s a rare and coveted timepiece for collectors.
Breitling Emergency
The second in their smartwatch line, the Breitling Emergency sent shockwaves throughout the industry when it was released in 1995 as the first wristwatch equipped with a miniaturized, dual-frequency distress beacon. It’s not necessarily what we’d consider a smartwatch today, but back when it was released, this was new and highly innovative technology. Of course, over the years it’s seen many updates, bringing us to the ref. V7632522 today which features a (once) revolutionary rechargeable battery, a miniaturized transmitter, and an integrated antenna system.
Breitling Exospace B55 Connected
While it can be appreciated by anyone into smart-tech watches, this watch was purpose-built for professional aviators and yachtsmen – not enthusiasts. On the Exospace B55 Connected, you can’t read texts or browse the web. With what they call their first ‘connected chronograph,’ this timepiece combines a SuperQuartz™ movement with a tailor-made (Bluetooth-connected) app that can do everything from counting down with its electronic tachymeter to recording flight times.
The Breitling Exospace B55 may be packed with high-tech features, but it’s designed to remain user-friendly. In our Breitling Exospace B55 review, we take a closer look at how the familiar controls – accessed through the crown and pushers – allow you to easily navigate functions by pushing, pulling, or spinning, much like a traditional watch. The face, with its three hands and two digital window displays, is also equipped with special properties that make it readable with night vision goggles, showcasing its professional-grade design.
Breitling Exospace B55 Yachting
The Exospace B55 Connected is essentially a pilot watch that tried to be inclusive to sailors. However, the Exospace B55 Yachting, with the same smart-tech capabilities and chronograph SuperQuartz™ movement, puts the focus squarely on the high seas. The most striking difference is the notched, unidirectional bezel which can be used to help yachtsmen with sailing angles, wind directions, and start-line positioning. Other updates include the totally-intuitive split time countdown system which makes it easier to re-sync the countdown to the official race clock if the race has to restart. On the digital dual window screens, you can also easily split time, record it, and send it to your phone for safekeeping and analysis.
Breitling Cockpit B50
Breitling may be known for making pilots’ watches, but the Breitling Cockpit B50 isn’t like any other pilot’s watch they’ve ever created. Unlike the B55 models above, this watch isn’t able to connect to your phone. But nonetheless, its smart, electronic functionalities are visible on the Breitling dial, via those recognizable analog and digital displays specially made to help pilots cruise the skies easily. Here, you can track a second-time zone, departure and arrival times, flyback, and split-times. There’s even a countdown timer, which, with just one push, can also be used as a stopwatch. Also among the list of features is, as well as a perpetual calendar and an electronic tachymeter to make calculations easier. This year, Breitling even released a special edition of the Cockpit B50, the Orbiter, which has punchy orange accents to commemorate the first non-stop balloon flight around the world. Legacy aside, it’s an awesomely fun edition to the collection.
*All images courtesy of Breitling
