Breitling watch saves the life of stranded hunter

Here is a little good luck, happy story from a man with a Breitling…

Press Release by Breitling

Emergency Transmitter in Watch Alerts Alaska Rescuers to Missing Man’s Location

A watch made more than a fashion statement when it helped save a stranded hunter’s life in Alaska on August 15^th. Mark Spencer was hunting grizzly bears about 120 miles northeast of Anchorage when he became stuck in the wilderness along Susitna River in the heart of the infamous Alaska Range.

Unable to navigate the hazardous Class 6 rapids of the Susitna River, his float-hunting party had diverted the course of their boat to the Tyone River. But the river route proved too shallow for their vessel. Spencer left his group and went searching for help on the glaciated Susitna River and struck a shoal tearing a hole in the vessel sinking it in the icy waters. He had spent more than 48 treacherous hours struggling for his life among the unrelenting elements of the Alaskan Backcountry.

“Breitling is the number one piece of equipment I always bring with me”, said Spencer, who works in the renewable energy industry. “Even if I lose everything, I will always have my watch. That gives me and my family peace of mind.”

The timepiece is designed with a micro-transmitter broadcasting on the 121.5 MHz aircraft emergency frequency. The transmitter is activated by unscrewing a protective cap and extending a short antenna. Despite the small size of the watch, the signal range is comparable to traditional hand-held Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) and can broadcast for 48 hours.

Spencer activated his watch’s Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) after a dangerous trek up the frigid Susitna River left him hypothermic and near death in the isolated backcountry. A rescue crew was able to pinpoint his location and lift him to safety by helicopter after they picked up the distress signal.

“It brings Breitling great pleasure to hear about this kind of customer satisfaction”, said Thierry Prissert, President of Breitling USA. “We’re hoping from now on he only has to use his watch to tell time.”

BREITLING BENTLEY BARNATO 42 MIDNIGHT CARBON

Press Release by Breitling for Bentley

A black-clad sports model Barnato. The name of the most famous among the “Bentley Boys”, the men engaged in a passionate pursuit of victories and accomplishments that included winning the Le Mans 24 Hours Race no less than five times between 1924 and 1930. Also the name of an exceptional chronograph combining superlative style with peerless performance.

Breitling for Bentley now interprets this sporty model in a 1,000-piece limited edition entirely clothed in black – from the case made of a
steel that is the color of night thanks to a highly resistant carbon-based treatment, through the dial to the supple and sturdy rubber strap. The
“instrument panel” appearance is reinforced by the chromed steel-rimmed counters, the red accents and a tachometric scale on the inner bezel. The generous size of the bezel heights the effect of the elegant raised knurled motif inspired by the famous Bentley radiator grilles.

The large hour-markers and the oversized hands enhanced by a luminescent coating guarantee easy reading of the time in any circumstances, even in the heat of action. This ardent and sophisticated sports model is powered by a selfwinding chronograph movement chronometer-certified by the COSC (Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute) – the ultimate token of precision and reliability.

Bentley Barnato 42 Midnight Carbon: the stuff of a champion.

Breitling Bentley Barnato 42 Midnight Carbon – Technical Details

Movement: Breitling Calibre 41B, officially chronometer-certified by the COSC, selfwinding

high-frequency (28,800 vph)

38 jewels.

1/4th second chronograph, 30-minute and 12-hour totalisers.

Calendar.

Case: black steel,

1,000-piece limited series.

Water-resistant to 100 m.

Screw-locked crown.

Cambered sapphire crystal, glareproofed on both sides.

Diameter: 42 mm.

Dial: Black Ice.

Strap: rubber.

If you like the Breitling for Bentley Barnato 42 Midnight Carbon Watch, why not see our article on the original Bentley Barnato 42 released earlier this year here or even the story of the Bentley boys and the Barnato Chronograph.

Breitling Chronomat 41 Limited Edition

 

Breitling Press Release. – Aug 2012

An exceptional fuselage for an exceptional engine

Performance. Precision. Elegance.

The Chronomat 41 with its Manufacture Breitling caliber and its superb presence on the wrist has asserted itself as the chronograph par excellence. The epitome of the Breitling spirit. The brand now offers its star model in a 2,000-piece limited series that will appeal more strongly than ever to enthusiasts of original designs.

The sporting touch is accentuated by a black dial with a red central chronograph seconds hand and red counter hands. An authentic, understated and powerful instrument panel. The original and generous lines of the steel case are enhanced by all-polished finishes – as are the bracelet and the rotating bezel engraved with exclusive numerals. The transparent sapphire crystal case-back affords the rare privilege of a chance to admire Breitling Caliber 01, the world’s finest chronograph movement, entirely developed and produced in the brand workshops.

Water-resistant to 200 m (660 ft), the Breitling Chronomat 41 Limited is naturally chronometer certified by the COSC (Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute) – as indeed are all Breitling models. A strong, unique and quintessential design, combined with all the performances expected of an authentic “instrument for professionals”.
The Breitling Chronomat 41 Limited is available at around £7,000 in the UK

Breitling Chronomat 41 Limited Edition – Technical details

Limited Edition of 2,000 pieces

Movement: Breitling Caliber 01, officially chronometer-certified by the COSC, selfwinding

high-frequency (28,800 vibrations per hour),

47 jewels.

Over 70-hour power reserve.

1/4th second chronograph, 30-minute and 12-hour totalizers.

Calendar.

Case: steel.

Diameter: 41 mm.

Water-resistant to 200 m (660 ft).

Screw-locked crown and push pieces.

Unidirectional ratcheted rotating bezel.

Cambered sapphire crystal, glareproofed on both sides.

Dial: Onyx black.

Bracelet: steel Pilot.

Breitling Navitimer Cosmonaute Chronograph

Press Release by Breitling 24th May 2012

BREITLING CELEBRATES THE 50^TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FIRST SPACE GOING WRIST CHRONOGRAPH.

On May 24^th 1962, a Breitling Navitimer chronograph became the first wrist instrument to share in the conquest of space by accompanying the Aurora 7 flight. To celebrate the 50^th anniversary of this historical feat, the brand is launching into orbit a new Navitimer Cosmonaute equipped with a highperformance Manufacture Breitling movement, entirely developed and produced in the company workshops. This 1,962-piece limited edition is distinguished by its 24-hour display, its manualwinding mode – two nods to the original 1962 chronograph – as well as the Aurora 7 mission insignia engraved on the caseback. Navitimer Cosmonaute. The legend continues.

MAIDEN SPACE FLIGHT.

The early 1960s were all about the space race. The Americans launched the Mercury program intended to develop manned flights. They were looking for a high-performance, accurate and reliable chronograph capable of withstanding exceptional conditions. With this in mind, they naturally turned to Breitling, the “official supplier to world aviation” and a privileged partner of the finest hours in aeronautical history. The Navitimer, the cult pilot’s watch created in 1952, with its famous circular slide rule serving to perform all operations relating to airborne navigation, naturally asserted itself as the ideal instrument in taking up this challenge. It successfully passed all the required tests, and on May 24^th 1962, Lt Commander Scott Carpenter orbited the Earth three times aboard the Aurora 7 capsule. On his wrist was a Navitimer equipped with a 24-hour graduated scale serving to distinguish day from night – an absolute necessity in space. Mission accomplished. This was a major new token of recognition for Breitling, and this space conquest pioneer soon entered the brand’s collections under the name of Cosmonaute.

THE ENGINE DRIVING THE ACCOMPLISHMENT.

The new Manufacture Breitling Caliber 02 powering the Navitimer Cosmonaute stands out by its 24-hour display and its manual-winding system – two distinctive features echoing the model that accompanied Scott Carpenter in orbiting the Earth. It was developed by the Breitling engineers and watchmakers based on Caliber 01, the world’s best chronograph movement, and is endowed with all the assets of this exceptional “engine” – including an original column-wheel structure, maximum reliability, security and functionality, unfaltering sturdiness and exceptional precision confirmed by a chronometer certificate granted by the COSC (Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute). Issued in a 1,962-piece limited edition, the 50

The actual watch can be seen in all its glory on the dedicated Breitling web page http://www.breitling.com/en/navitimer-cosmonaute/

Technical Details – Breitling Navitimer Cosmonaut Chronograph

Movement

Manufacture Breitling Caliber 02, officially chronometer certified by the COSC, mechanical hand-wound, highfrequency (28,800 vibrations per hour), 39 jewels. Over 70-hour power reserve. 1/4^th second chronograph, 30-minute and 12-hour totalizers. Calendar.

Case

Steel, limited series of 1,962. Resistance to 3 bars. Bidirectional rotating bezel with circular slide rule.
Cambered sapphire crystal, glareproofed on both sides. Diameter: 43 mm.

Dial

Black, silver counters

Straps/Bracelets

Barenia leather, crocodile leather/Air Racer (perforated) or Navitimer

For other Breitling related Articles why not see our Breitling Brand Page or even an article about the Breitling Superocean White