This year, Swiss watch manufacturer Breitling celebrates its 140th anniversary. The brand will honour this landmark year by celebrating some of its achievements throughout its 140-year tenure, particularly the ‘firsts’ it has achieved.
From breakthroughs in timekeeping to milestones in sustainability. Throughout the year there will be many events, exhibits and special launches reminiscing on some of the brand’s key moments as well as making new ones.
The celebrations kick off by marking the 25th anniversary of the first nonstop balloon flight around the world with the launch of a new timepiece; the Aerospace B70 Orbiter. As the sponsor of this ground-breaking voyage, Breitling wanted to pay tribute to the moment that expanded the horizons of human achievement. In a remarkable feat, each watch from the limited edition series contains a piece of the original balloon.
“Since the birth of aviation, Breitling has been there for all those who looked to the sky and dared to dream,” says Breitling CEO Georges Kern. “As we honour the pioneering spirit of the Orbiter 3 mission, we reaffirm our commitment to being at the forefront of aviation’s future. The skies have no limit, and neither do we.”
The Aerospace B70 Orbiter 25th anniversary edition features a bright orange dial that references the colour of the Orbiter 3 capsule, with a small segment of the original balloon visible through the transparent caseback of each watch. The caseback also features the Breitling Orbiter 3 mission logo around its perimeter and the inscription “First non-stop flight around the world 25th anniversary.”
The watch is presented on a titanium bracelet or a black rubber strap with a folding clasp, it features the Breitling Orbiter 3 mission logo on the dial at 3 o’clock. Its numerals, indexes, and hands are coated with luminescent Super-LumiNova®, making them legible even in low light. Both the case and optional bracelet have been crafted in titanium for the greatest versatility. It’s also non-magnetic, hypoallergenic, and highly resistant to corrosion, guaranteeing its wearers a strong, safe, and comfortable watch that will support them—even on the toughest missions.
The watch is powered by the newly designed COSC-certified Breitling Manufacture Caliber B70: a thermo-compensated SuperQuartz™ analogue and digital display movement that delivers 10 times the accuracy of a standard quartz watch. This engine powers the watch’s array of functions, including a 1/100th of a second chronograph (with split-time and flyback functions), countdown timer, second timezone, two alarms, lap function, and perpetual calendar.
The limited edition watch launched on March 21, 2024, exactly 25 years to the day that the Breitling Orbiter 3 made its historic landing. Available online and at Breitling stores across the region.
