Despite Myself... A Breitling I Love

I don't really like Breitling. There, I've said it. When I first started Tempus Fugit I did a "Bud Fox".  I emailed them nearly daily, trying against all hope to get even the most basic press release, and I got...

CRICKETS.

BaselWorld would roll around and I would email and call, desperately trying to get even a "cattle call" meeting, and I got...

CRICKETS.

Now on a side note, in an earlier life, I sold a BOATLOAD of Breitling watches when I worked behind the counter at Tourneau. And unlike my colleague, a smarmy worm who I still refer to as "Deep South" (as in the moment you asked about a watch, the price dropped by 30%), I sold A LOT of Breitlings, ALL AT FULL PRICE.

So to the folks manning the PR/Communications office at Breitling, it would have been nice to even get the most basic of email replies, but I suspect you were too "busy".

But sometimes, a watch grabs your attention despite your full awareness that the brand that made it really could care less about you as a customer, or a member of the Fourth and Fifth Estate. So with that said, despite their indifference, Breitling made something that has hit me with a visceral sucker punch -

Courtesy of Breitling

This is the Navitimer B01 Chronograph Swissair version.  

Courtesy of Breitling

In my time in the watch game, I have flown Swiss Air a bunch. And I have to say that even in "cattle class", it is always a pleasant and enjoyable experience. I would go even further - I really like Switzerland. If it wasn't a prohibitively expensive place to retire to, or if some company hired either Wendy or I to work there, I would be on the first available flight (Swiss, of course). While many of my colleagues on both sides of the BaselWorld counter dread the watch fairs, I really love them.  It's a great opportunity to see old friends, make new ones, and if you 're lucky?  Do a little business ; )

So despite their indifference, and my ambivalence, well done to Breitling, you've made something that really speaks to me.

Should you feel similarly inclined, here are the pertinents -

MOVEMENT 

Caliber	Breitling 01 (Manufacture)
Movement	self-winding mechanical
Power reserve	approx. 70 hrs
Chronograph	1/4th second, 30 minutes, 12 hours
Vibration	28,800 v.p.h
Jewel	47 jewels
Calendar	Dial aperture

CASE 

Case material	Stainless Steel
Caseback	Screwed in (sapphire crystal)
Water resistance	3 bars
Bezel	Bidirectional, slide rule
Crown	Non screw-locked, two gaskets
Crystal	Sapphire, glareproofed both sides

DIMENSIONS 

Product Weight (Approx.)	159.0 g.
Watch-head Weight (Approx.)	80.4 g.
Diameter	43.0 mm
Thickness	14.2 mm
Height (upper lug tip to lower lug tip)	49.1 mm
Lug width (in-between lug)	22.0 mm

STRAP 

Strap material	Calfskin Leather
Strap color	Black
Strap type	Straight
Lug	22/20 mm
Buckle Material	Stainless Steel
Buckle type	Tang-type
Buckle size	20 mm