Breitling Chronospace Instrument for Pilots

Breitling has issued a new version of their Chronospace quartz pilot watch. Actually SuperQuartz™ to be specific. The movement, like all Breitling movements, is COSC chronometer-certified. Passing the chronometer standards that the COSC sets is actually fairly easy for a mechanical timepiece, however, for a quartz caliber, it must be much more accurate in terms of rate. The end result is a movement ten times more accurate than an ordinary quartz movement.

Ever since Breitling launched the Navitimer in the 1940s, with a navigational slide rule bezel, they have been known for their professional use pilot watches. And like the Navitimers of past and present, the Chronospace features the famous circular slide rule bezel for handling essential calculations regarding airborne navigation.

The Chronospace, however, is designed for "intensive professional use", according to Breilting's press release. And on top of having a slide rule pilot's bezel, the Chronospace also features an impressive list of useful functions - a 1/100th of a second chronograph with split times, Coordinated Universeal Time (UTC), perpetual calendar, 24-hour military time, alarm, countdown timer, dual timezone display with independent alarm. Powering the watch and assuring precision, is a thermo-compensated chronometer quartz movement (meaning it is accurate to about 5 seconds per month, versus a mechanical chronometer, which is accurate to about 5 second per day).

To display the time, the dial features traditional central hour, minutes and seconds hands. The luminous hands are big and easy to read. To display the nunerous functions, dual digital LCD readouts are used. To guarantee optimal visibility, day or night, the LCD screens are equipped with high-performance NVG (Night Vision Google) compatible backlighting system. And to simplify operation, all functions are controlled by pushers at 2 and 4 o'clock. This unique ana-digi configuration allows pilots to access all of the functions, along with the time, quickly and easily.

When using the alarm, the sound signal is very high, to guarantee audibility. This is possible because of a specially designed double caseback, which amplifies the sound to 90 db (decibels). The circular rack-and-pinion mounted slide rule is easily and accurately rotated using the star-shaped bezel - an original and extremely ergonomic design. The Chronospace is available on various wristbands, including a new bracelet in satin-brushed woven steel with a little vintage touch, and a sporty looking perforated rubber strap.

Technical Specifications

Movement
Breitling Caliber 78, officially chronometer-certified by the COSC, SuperQuartz™ (thermocompensated quartz), analog and LCD 12/24-hour display (NVG compatible). 1/100th of a second chronograph with split times, alarm, countdown, dual timezone display with independent alarm, Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), perpetual calendar, battery end-of-life indicator.

Case
stainless steel. Water-resistant to 5 bars. Bidirectional rotating pinion bezel (slide rule). Cambered sapphire crystal, glareproofed on both sides. Screwed in caseback, with resonance chamber.

Dials
Volcano black, Mariner blue, Tungsten gray, Stratus silver.

Straps/Bracelet
leather, rubber Diver Pro, rubber Ocean Racer/woven steel Aero Classic.

Overall, it is safe to say that this is one of the most accurate professional pilot watches on the market. Yes, there are atomic watches that may be a few more seconds accurate per year, but the difference is insignificant, and for the most part, none have so many useful pilot functions. That said, these new timepieces are not cheap, in fact, this may be the most expensive quartz watch on the market. However, everyone knows you get what you pay for, and if you want the best, this is it.

Retail $4,800