The 2017 Breitling for Bentley Supersports B55 Connected (ref. EB552022-BF47-285S) offers you the same list of amenities as their earlier “hybrid” smartwatches that were first revealed about two years ago but in a styling that is so loved by thousands of Bentley fans. Reassuringly overpriced and deliciously archaic, it will probably feature one of the lowest “value for money” ratios in their whole product range, yet it’s not the mythical “value” that allows Breitling to continue being one of the brands for those who love deadly planes and fast cars.
46 mm
Deep Blue Master 2000 10 Year Anniversary Automatic Diver in Black/Orange (ref. M2KILBLKORGBLKORG)
Introduced to celebrate the brand’s tenth anniversary, the 2016 Deep Blue Master 2000 10 Year Anniversary collection is currently offered in a choice of three color schemes including two versions in black and blue that feature a combination of white and orange accents. The version in black and orange (ref. M2KILBLKORGBLKORG,) which is reviewed in this article, is the most interesting -or at least the most striking- among them. Delivering an impressive level of legibility in all lighting scenarios that I can imagine and combining good build quality of the case and bracelet with the dependability of a time-proven Swiss-made movement, it may be a bit expensive compared to their earlier models of similar design, but still offers good value for money if you can afford one.
2016 Breitling Chronoliner Triple Time-Zone Chronograph
If you have noticed the sporty Chronoliner collection from last year but decided to pass on it for the lack of bling, this limited-edition 2016 Breitling Chronoliner Triple Time-Zone Chronograph will make you want to reconsider. Preserving the same energetic (some may even call it assertive) styling of the original, it comes in a dressier rose gold case. Carefully balancing the mix of materials and textures, it manages not to look too arrogant in all of its polished rose gold and glossy ceramic glory.
Graham Silverstone RS Racing Automatic Chronograph
The 2015 Graham Silverstone RS Racing collection is offered in three finishes that you can buy either individually or as a set with a pair of nice sunglasses (paying an impressive amount of around $18,000). Although the device doesn’t look groundbreaking in any way, it is still a nice gadget for a person who prefers fresh-looking sporty timekeepers to time-proven (and thus boring) collections from the major brands.
Raymond Weil Nabucco Gibson Chronograph
While, at a recommended street price of approximately $5300, I have an impression that a normal guitarist would rather get him- or herself a vintage Gibson SG from the 1960s in a mint condition, there is still a good chance that the whole bunch of 200 pieces of the new Raymond Weil Nabucco Gibson Limited Edition chronographs will be sold quite quickly: guitarists have moms, dads, and spouses and this sort of people love to spoil their loved ones with nice gadgets. And this is a nice gadget indeed.
Breitling Chronospace Military SuperQuartz
The Breitling Chronospace Military (ref. M7836622.BD39.100W.M20BASA.1) chronograph delivers the usual combination of a high-grade SuperQuartz mechanism, a highly legible dial with the signature analog-digital display and packs it all in a blacked-out steel body. What it lacks is innovation. On the other hand, for innovation Breitling has the super-high-tech Emergency II model, while they carefully guard the rest of the pack against anything new.
Breitling Cockpit B50 Aviator’s Chronograph
Brutal, yet well-proportioned, the Breitling Cockpit B50 (ref. VB501022/BD41-155S) (especially the variation in plain machine-brushed titanium) somehow reminds me of a USAF’s F22 air superiority fighter jet: everything is in its place; everything is completely functional, yet extremely sexy. The only thing that makes the new B50 model different is the price. While still deliciously expensive, it won’t make you sell your house to get one.
IWC Aquatimer Deep Three Titanium (Ref. IW355701)
Unveiled at SIHH 2014, the IWC Aquatimer Deep Three Titanium (Ref. IW355701) is perhaps the first “tool” diver that actually looks great. Its lightweight titanium case is meticulously crafted and features a much elaborated high-tech finish. With its easy-grip rotating bezel and crisp (although a bit busy thanks to its mechanical depth gauge display) dial, the wristwatch would look organic in a sci-fi movie like Oblivion or maybe even Prometheus.
Edox HydroSub North Pole Limited Edition
Presented in 2014, the Edox HydroSub North Pole (ref. 80201 3BUO BU) celebrates the 40th anniversary of the original Hydro Sub. With its total run limited to just 350 pieces, the model was chosen as an official timekeeper of an expedition to the geographic North Pole in February 2015. Not only at least two timepieces out of 350 will see one of the coldest places on Earth, but one of them will also be used by champion free diver Christian Redl of Germany during a world’s first attempt at a free dive under the ice cap.
Edox Geoscope GMT Automatic
Whole 46 millimeters in diameter, the Edox Geoscope GMT (ref. 07002 3 C1) is designed with heroically proportioned people in mind. On the other hand (no pun intended), the timekeeper doesn’t make an impression of a watch whose single purpose is to look big. In fact, its massiveness stems from its function: there is a dial that needs to be large to ensure adequate legibility and so there is a large case to house it. That’s probably the main reason why it doesn’t look stupid: its form follows function.