2012/11/13 - REVIEW - Breitling - Transocean Chronographe UNITIME

BRINGING THE WORLD TO THE WRIST

Breitling reasserts its horological mastery by launching a “world time” chronograph equipped with a new caliber entirely developed and produced in-house. Thanks to its double disk, the Transocean Chronograph Unitime simultaneously and constantly indicates the time in all 24 timezones. An innovative system based on a patented mechanism enables the user, when changing timezone, to adjust all the indications in one smooth and easy move by simply turning the crown. An exceptional new instrument makes its grand entry into the world of exclusive fine mechanisms.

TIME FOR TRAVEL

While the chronograph and instruments for professionals have established themselves since 1884 as Breitling's domain of excellence, travel watches have also played an important role in the history of the brand with the winged B. In sharing the finest hours in the conquest of the skies, Breitling accompanied the boom in air transport and long-distance travel. During the 1950s and 60s, the brand distinguished itself by introducing a sophisticated model named Unitime, a selfwinding “world time” watch that has since become a much sought-after collector's item. Today, Breitling is further extending its invitation to enjoy travel and performances by combining universal time and the chronograph function within a new model in the Transocean range – a collection reflecting all the refinement and prestige of luxury long-distance journeys. Associating innovative technology with stylish aesthetics, the Transocean Chronograph Unitime is distinguished by its modern, pure lines and the infinite care lavished on the smallest details – such as its dial bearing a globe pattern. It comes in steel or red gold versions with the city bezel available in several languages. That unmistakable first-class feeling on the wrist.

PERFORMANCE AND COMFORT

In creating Caliber 01, the Breitling engineers devised the world's best chronograph movement. In developing the new Caliber 05, based on the same high-performance architecture, they have also reinvented the world time mechanism by equipping it with an adjustment system boasting unprecedented user friendliness. The Transocean Chronograph Unitime features two mobile disks: a 24-hour disk and a disk bearing the names of 24 cities representing the world's 24 timezones. The time shown by the central hands corresponds to that of the timezone displayed at 12 o'clock. The city disk also bears indications serving to take account of “summer” or daylight saving time (DST).

When the user changes timezone, he need only pull out the crown and turn it forwards or backwards in one-hour increments in order to correct the hours, the city disk and the 24-hour disk in one smooth move. Meanwhile, the calendar is easily adjusted in both directions to the date corresponding to local time. During these maneuvers, the minute and seconds hands continue turning normally without any loss of precision, and without perturbing any chronograph timing operations in progress.

 

 

 

 

Technical Specifications

MOVEMENT

• Manufacture Breitling Caliber 05, officially chronometercertified by the COSC, selfwinding, high-frequency (28,000 vibrations), 56 jewels.
• Over 70-hour power reserve.
• 1/4th second chronograph, 30-minute and 12-hour totalizers.
• World time
• Calendar.

CASE

• Steel or 18K red gold.
• Water-resistant to 100 m/10 bars.
• Convex sapphire crystal, glareproofed on both sides.
• Diameter: 46 mm.

DIALS

• Black or Polar white.

STRAPS/BRACELET

• Barenia leather, crocodile leather/Ocean Classic (steel mesh, steel version only).