Breitling B1
Quartz – the mineral that almost destroyed the Swiss
watch industry – is not, you might argue, something that you
would expect to find in any watch that has earned itself a
coveted place on The List. It is the cheat’s way of making a
timepiece; the accuracy achieved, not through rigorous
design and meticulous attention to detail, but by the simple
and cheap expedient of utilising a crystal that vibrates at
a constant frequency when an electrical signal is passed
through it.
But, whilst we do not disagree with the general tenor of
this assertion, there is one quartz watch that we cannot
help but admire. That watch is the Breitling B1 Professional
Pilot Chronograph, which has earned its place on The List by offering an
appealing combination of functionality, ruggedness, and air
force inspired looks.
The B1 does not try to disguise the fact that it is a
quartz watch; although there is a normal analogue dial,
whose face is reminiscent of the company’s Navitimer models,
there are two additional digital readouts, enabling it to offer a range of extra functions, including a
perpetual calendar, chronograph, second time zone and
countdown indicator. These are all accessed by turning the
crown, cutting down on the number of buttons needed.
The movement itself is quite different from that found in
the average quartz watch. It is a Calibre 78, based on the thermally
compensated ETA Thermoline, and has an accuracy of plus or
minus 15 seconds per year – far superior to most quartz
based timepieces, and earning it official chronometer
status.
The main reason we like this watch, though, is its honesty. It is not
pretending to contain a fancy movement – it is a functional
piece of kit provides features that a pilot might use;
features that would be difficult, or impossible to achieve
with a mechanical movement.
Aesthetically, its digital readouts clearly differentiate
the B1 from other sports/pilots watches, and make it
refreshingly individual. The case itself has a military feel
to the design and the very modernity of the movement
complements this well, providing a more cohesive package
than other similarly styled mechanical Breitlings.
Utlimately, one can say that in the B1, Breitling has
achieved several feats that have eluded other manufacturers:
of marrying digital and analogue; of producing a quartz
watch of true quality and personality, and of manufacturing
a pilot’s watch that combines useability with truly useful
functionality. You, therefore, do not need to be a pilot to appreciate
one (but it may help.)
