Breitling Aerospace battery change..

Remember this post...

Breitling battery change..

Well, the owner decided to ask me to change the battery and it was pretty late at night when the request came... That also explains the quality of the photographs. :)

The new battery provided by the owner. The correct battery is the 399 but the 395 is a suitable alternate.

The back of the battery.

The watch in question, the Breitling Aerospace.

Out with the case back opening tool. 

Everything on the table, ready for the operation. :)

The first task is to locate the slot to insert the blade of the case back opening tool. 

You can see the slot...

Disconnect the bracelet so that you have the space to work on the watch.

The blade...

The case back. You can see that the information on what battery to use is engraved on the inside of the case back. The white spot is the 'speaker'. Also note the gasket on the case back.

The movement. ETA E10351 7 jewels movement. Please note that the movement in this Breitling has been replaced with the upgraded SQ movement.

The old battery is a Sony.

Closer view of the movement. 

Information on what battery to be used is also on the movement. 

Clean the area around the back of the case and don't forget to lubricate the gasket. Also check the watch is working before you close the case back.

Out with the manual to adjust the watch. Be aware that it is not an easy task to readjust the settings. Great that the watch has a long battery life. 

All done. 

Collaborations...

I find collaborations such an interesting topic, more so in the watch world. Take for example the Tudor and Breitling collaboration. Never expected that. 

The Tudor Breitling collaboration allows Tudor to use the Breitling B01 as the base movement for its caliber MT5813. Breitling will build the movement for Tudor but using parts from Tudor like the oscillating weight, silicon balance spring and even finish the movement to Tudor specifications. The movement will be used in the Tudor Black Bay Chrono.

Photograph: Tudor

In return, Breitling gets Tudor to build its caliber B20, which is based on the Tudor MT5613. As with the case above, Tudor will build the movement for Breitling using parts from Breitling like the oscillating weight, regulating system, balance spring and finish the movement to Breitling specifications. This movement will be used in the Breitling Superocean Heritage II.

Photograph: Breitling

On the other hand we have this interesting collaboration between Rolex, Swatch Group and Patek Philippe. They back the Swiss Micro-engineering Institute CSEM which holds the intellectual property on the development of silicon hairsprings. And because they own the intellectual property, Baume&Mercier, and by extension its parent company Richemont have been asked to stop using the silicon hairsprings. This was used in Baume&Mercier Baumatic watch which was launched in 2018. I believe the case is in the courts.

Photograph: Baume&Mercier

This is the most interesting collaboration so far this year, maybe last year. It involves the company known as Kenissi Holding SA. Not much is known about the company except it is the industrial arm of Tudor and it will make automatic movement for watches. It is also reported that the owner is a Swiss industrialist whose main line of business is making sapphire crystals for some of the biggest watch groups. 

It is currently based in Geneva but will move to a new facility in Le-Locle in 2021. It is reported that the facility will be divided into two parts, one for Tudor and the other half for Kenissi. It is believed that the facility is being built by Rolex on land owned by Rolex. 

This is where it gets interesting. Chanel announced that it has acquired a 20% stake in Kenissi at almost the same time it acquired a minority shareholding in F.P. Journe (believed to be about 20%). Chanel has also indicated that its first watch to be powered by the movement made by Kenissi will be shown in Basel 2019. Will this new movement appear in Bell&Ross watches, which Chanel has a majority shareholding? 

It is also reported that Kenissi will be headed by Mr. Jean-Paul Girardin. He used to be the CEO of Breiling. Interesting no?

Other members of the board (also very interesting):

Mr. Eric Yvon Pirson. He is the Chief of Tudor, which should not come as a surprise. 

Mr. Pascal Bratschi. He is a Director in Rolex.

Mr. Philippe Jacques Dalloz. He is a Director in a number of companies dealing with watch components. Could he be the hand behind Kenissi?

Mr. Frederic Jean-Paul Daniel Grangie. He is a Director in F.P. Journe. 

Anyway, Basel 2019 is just around the corner and I am sure we will learn more then .

Decisions decisions...

This is the Breitling Aerospace that I had. 

As you can see, the date display is flashing. It is indicating that the battery needs to be replaced. The question is, do I do it myself or advise the owner to send it to Breitling to get a full service. He wants me to just change the battery, but I think it should be sent to Breitling. 

I think I will tell the owner to send the watch to Breitling. 

Something something from Breitling...

Breitling have or are going to release a very interesting watch in the Breitling Navitimer 1 Airline Edition Watches. Basically these watches were created to celebrate the golden age of aviation. 

These watches will be powered by the Breitling in-house caliber 01. The watch will have a power reserve of 70 hours. This seem to be a very popular target for power reserve of late. 

The watch comes in at 43mm in diameter with 22mm lugs. The watches will be rated at 3ATM.

The watches will feature the logo of the selected airline on the transparent case back. There is no indication on which airlines will be featured, how many pieces will be issued and the pricing. So far 3 airlines have been featured.

For more information:

Breitling Navitimer 1

Swissair

Pan Am

TWA

Photographs: Breitling

I better start saving and keep an eye out for what other airlines will be selected and issued.

Breitling Aerospace....

I was at my local photoshop to have a look at the slew of new and old camera. Had a look at the Nikon Df, the Nikon D610, Nikon D800 and D800E and even the new Fuji X-E2. Decided to maintain and improve my skills..... :)

This Breitling Aerospace is not mine, I am just a temporary owner. :) I do like the Aerospace. This models newer compared to mine....

Practice shots....

Closer....

The watch in almost like new condition. 

Indeed a beautiful watch...

Shot using Fuji X-E1 and Fujinon 60mm lens.

Breitling Emergency II

There are basically two watches that I like from Breitling. Both watches have links to the aviation industry. One of the watches is the Aerospace, which I have. The other is the Emergency. This watch, I don't have. 

This year, Breitling updated the Emergency with the Emergency II. This change is due to the changes in recent years to the satellite system used in the search-and-rescue efforts. The system, called Cospas-Sarsat, detects and will home in on the emergency beacon transmitted. The original analogue frequency is 121.5 MHz. In 2009, that frequency was slowly phased out and a new digital 406 MHz frequency was introduced. The Emergency II transmit at both frequency, as currently required, alternating between frequency. 

The antenna (there are two) is located in the lower part of the watch. To activate, you just have to unscrew and pull out the knob at the antenna housing. The watch will also feature a new power system to power the emergency system. This is to meet Cospas-Sarsat's standards, which requires the beacon to transmit up to 24 hours and at temperatures as low as -20 degrees C. Additionally, transmitting at 406 MHz puts a strain on the batteries. The Emergency II will come with a charger-tester to charge and test the system. 

Since the Emergency II is also a watch, it comes with the following functions: 12/24 hour analogue and LCD digital display, chronograph, timer, alarm, dual time, calendar and EOL (End Of Life) indicator. This is all possible due to the Breitling Caliber 76. The watch case is titanium and is water resistant to 5 ATM. The watch will retail for about USD 15,750.

The watch.....

Orange dial.

Yellow dial.

The case back, with instructions on how to use the emergency system.

The antenna.

In PVD black case and rubber strap. 

Photographs: Breitling.

For more information:

Emergency II

Fast I am...

Been feeling a tad under the weather latterly, hence the drop in postings. But today I was feeling a bit better. I was playing my Breitling Aerospace when I decided to see how fast I could start stop the single button chronograph (yes, I know, I need to get out more). 

Wow, I am fast.... 

Breitling Aerospace Part 2

A small GTG was organised today. Was suppose to take some photographs to show the difference between these two watches but sadly was not meant to be. An August GTG looks to be in place.... :)

Yes there are differences between the watches. 

Breitling Aerospace

One of the watch that I really like is the Breitling Aerospace. Lots of fascination with the watch and the watch is linked to the industry I was in. But the question remains how much do I like the watch....

This much....

Seeing double?

Yes, there are two of them. But are they the same?

Shall we play spot the difference?

At a glance, other then the bracelet, the watches looks pretty much the same.

This is the Breitling Aerospace reference B75362 and it comes fitted with the Professional bracelet. The reference B75362 is for two tone Titanium and gold watch.

On with the pictorial review....

It has the same blue/ black/ gray dial as mine (reference B65362). Love the gilt on the dial and the 24  markings on the chapter ring. 

To make it easy (and me being lazy), I will sometimes reference the watches as B65 and B75.

The dial with Chronometre Aerospace.

Solid end links of the Professional bracelet. The aerospace bracelet does not come with solid end links.

The Professional bracelet does come with two tone, ti and gold, but it is rare and only came out for a short time.

The Professional bracelet is more robust as compared to the Aerospace bracelet. The links are solid.

The clasp with the safety latch. Signed and with the Breitling logo. Very nice and well made. Love the vertical brush finish on the clasp and bracelet.

Unlike the pressed sheet metal on the Aerospace clasp, the Professional bracelet has the more modern and solid hinge links (is that what you call them?).

Signed and well made. Beautiful.

The case back. You can see the reference on the case back. The other markings are the same with the B65362.

The engraving is nice and deep. However the conversion details are not as deep. The conversion table engraving is deeper on the reference B65.

The solid end links.

The Breitling logo and legend in the centre of the case back. The serial number (same as COSC number) will be below the model reference number (serial number has been photoshop away for privacy).

Legends in French. Chronometer (COSC) 100 M water resistant and Swiss made.

The Professional bracelet has the diver extension, unlike the Aerospace (which has a different system).

The clasp has a 3 position adjustment. The Aerospace does not have it. :(

It is easier to adjust the length of the Professional bracelet as it has the links with screws. With the Aerospace bracelet, you will need a hammer and a pin.

Adjustments points on both sides of the clasp.

Other differences?

The display on the reference B75 is brighter as compared to the reference B65. This is not so evident compared to my B65 as my movement has been upgraded to the Super Quartz COSC movement.

The watch offers the following complications; hours, minutes, chronograph, alarm, timer, calendar, dual time and a minute repeater. 

The pip at the 12 o'clock position is different between the watches.

A closer view.

Larger fonts on the 3,6,9 and 12 hour markers on the B75. The markers are luminous as are the gilt hands.

As noted earlier, Chronometre Aerospace instead of Repetition Minutes, just above the lower LCD display.

Side by side. The differences more evident. Yes, you can turn off the digital display. 

Love both watches. Sadly one of them is not mine. :)

All the pictures above taken with the Fuji XE1 with macro lens.

As a true pilot watch, the bezel can be rotated both ways. Turning the bezel is easy as that are bezel tabs at the 4 cardinal points. 60 clicks and all very positive. 

The crystal is sapphire and AR coated on both sides. 

For comparison, these 3 photographs were taken with the Fuji X100 on marco mode.

Both the watches are very comfortable on the wrist and being titanium, you will not feel it. I like both models, the B75 being a later model from the B65. The B65 from the 1999 era and the B75 2 years later. The movement has been upgraded to the super quartz movement, with both B65 and B75 are COSC movement.