Breitling Superocean Heritage in steel. £3650.
Tidy.
GQ praise for the new Breitling TransOcean Chronograph.
Until you have actually been to the Baselworld watch fair, which takes place in Switzerland in March, it is hard to imagine its scale. It is enormous and the clout (and the cash) of the Swiss watch industry is truly impressive. The stands of the big players are like buildings and it is difficult to believe that after less than a fortnight they are packed away for another year.
One of the biggest hitters in Basel is Breitling and its stand is one of the most impressive, fronted with a vast aquarium containing a shoal of sea bream swimming several metres above your head. It is easy to see why this is one of the most respected and successful luxury watch brands to come out of Switzerland. And this year’s special launch, the Transocean chronograph, clearly shows Breitling is at the top of its game.
The brand has long been associated with the aircraft industry. It supplied on-board chronographs for both propeller and jet planes. Indeed, one of its ambassadors is jet-fanatic John Travolta, the proud owner of his own 1964 Boeing 707. Not to be outdone, Breitling is the sponsor of an aerobatic jet team and a restored Fifties Lockheed C-121C Super Constellation, arguably the most elegant turboprop passenger airliner ever. Unsurprisingly, a Breitling has long been the timepiece of choice for commercial pilots.
It is in this spirit of first-class travel that the brand has created the new Transocean Chronograph, a tribute to the original model that was launched back in 1958. The design is a contemporary take on its classically understated forebear, while its brand-new “engine”, the Caliber 01, is claimed to be the best movement in its category and entirely developed and produced in-house by Breitling.
The Transocean will initially be launched as a limited edition of 2,000 in steel and 200 in red gold. This could well be the best-looking model you’ll find on the horological runway this year.
Transocean chronograph in steel on steel, £6,210. Transocean chronograph in steel on leather, £5,820. Both by Breitling. breitling.com
No idea who the dude is, but a girl I follow reblogged this (i’m guessing because he is an attractive man), however, I am reblogging this because he evidently has good taste.
Upon his wrist is an IWC Pilot Chronograph.
At around £3800, it’s one of the cheaper IWCs on the market, but a nice one nonetheless.
Whoever he is. My watch is better. =P
(Source: alexsexgard, via necrolust-deactivated20111228-d)
Tag Heuer Carrera Dress Automatic. Steel with Black Dial. £1380.
And the Caseback of the 2011 Omega Planet Ocean, showing the new 8 series movement.
New 2011 Omega Planet Ocean with Improved Bezel and Premier 8-Series Automatic Movement. 50hr Power Reserve and Silicone Escapement which guarantees 40% improvement on COSC accuracy. And at £3800, it’s just about affordable. I was never really blown away by the Planet Ocean range, but I can’t deny I want one of these!
So put it to me straight. Should I have gone for this?
So on my wrist I have the new 2011 Zenith El Primero Chronomaster Open. It’s only £5300, which is a bargain when you consider that the watch isn’t just damn beautiful, but it houses a movement that has been the most accurate and complex automatic chronograph watch movement since 1969. Not many 42 year old pieces of technology could trump that of today, but here you have a rare example of literally timeless genius.
Jaeger le Coultre Master Geographique. All handmade, fitted with the complex updated Geographique movement which, upon turning the second crown will update the time on the second dial for the country you are travelling in. Other complications include a power reserve and day/night indicator. £8050
This looks good on my wrist. I’ve promised myself that one day I’ll be successful enough to own one of these. —- Rolex Day-Date in 18ct Yellow Gold. ~£16,000.
Jaeger Le Coultre Master Compressor Chronograph. Limited Edition to 500 pieces world wide. PVD Case and Black Alligator Strap. £8850.
Breitling Super Avenger in Steel with a Black Dial. It’s fucking massive. A real penis-enlargement piece. But it has enough cool factor that you can get away with it. £4200
Jaeger Le Coultre Master Control Ultra-Slim with Day-Night indicator. This masterful piece is crafted in stainless steel with sapphire crystal glass on both the front and the display case back. Inside one finds the hand-crafted JLC movement, produced exclusively in Switzerland by their master watchmakers. £6350 Viewing on Request
