Breitling appended the message “real men wear black” to end of their new for 2014 Chronospace Military watch promotional video. In the video, we have a typical Breilting-style scene, where military aviation dudes are getting ready for flight in the locker room and strapping on their Breitling Chronospace Military watches. It is typical Breitling campy fun because the video takes itself a bit more seriously than it expects the viewer to. The focus on black seems to relate to the PVD black-coated steel case and available black straps for the watch. The Breitling Chronospace Military that I got to check out came on a nice green khaki strap with “vintage-style” lume on the dial.
Let’s be clear that while this is a new Breitling watch, it is more a stylistic diversion than something entirely fresh. If there is anything you can glean from the new products that Breitling introduced in 2014, it was that the company is attempting to fashionably diversify their collection. What does that mean? Essentially, more colors and sizes for the watches they already offer. For those looking for just the right fit when it comes to a new Breitling will have more options than ever.
If you already have one (or more) Breliting ana-digi high-end quartz watches, there probably isn’t going to be too much about the Breliting Chronospace Military watch that inspires you to add this model to your collection, unless you deeply love the colors and design. I say this also in light of the fact that Breitling also recently announced a new exclusive quartz movement that they will soon release, which adds some flavor to their current offerings of Swiss ETA produced quartz movements. I am, of course, referring to the B50 movement which will be first found in the Breitling Cockpit B50 watch that aBlogtoWatch debuted here. The B50 movement offers some interesting features and allows (requires) the user to recharge it regularly (each few months, I believe) using a charging dock. Inside the Breitling Chronospace Military is Breitling caliber 78 SuperQuartz movement, which out to last a couple of years between battery changes.
If you aren’t familiar with how these high-end analog/digital SuperQuartz movements work, it is simple. First of all, note that Breitling offers a few different quartz movements – such as some with just the crown and others with pushers as well. The main time is displayed using the analog hands, but deeper functionality is available via the two LCD screens. Functions include things such as a 1/100th of a second chronograph, countdown timer, alarm, dual time zones, full calendar, and some additional functions “useful to pilots.” What is more important is the thermo-compensation element to the movement (the “Super” in SuperQuartz) which greatly enhances accuracy over standard quartz movements. For this reason, Breitling is able to get its SuperQuartz movements COSC Chronometer certified.
At 46mm wide, the Breliting Chronospace Military isn’t small, but the Chronospace never was (it also happens to be 15.6mm thick). It isn’t the largerst quartz watches Breitling makes either. The above mentioned Breitling Cockpit B50 and the Breitling Emergency II watches have cases which are larger in diameter. The Breliting Chronospace Military does, however, wear comfortably, and the “real men” who wear it will find that the black color of the case – as well as its placement on a strap allows it to wear a bit smaller than you might think. Nevertheless, this is a large watch, and there isn’t getting around that. Those interested in a smaller analog/digital Breitling should look at something like the Breitling Aerospace Evo (hands-on here).
More good news about the Breliting Chronospace Military is that compared to the other Chronospace models Breitling prettied up the dial a bit by toning it down. Compare this with the dials of the standard Breitling Chronospace watches (hands-on here). That means smaller 3 and 9 o’clock hour indicators, a more simple matte-black dial, and ditching the internal rotating slide-rule bezel (that really only works for the Navitimer in my opinion) for a simple minute track. The bezel around the Breliting Chronospace Military is now for navigational purposes with its compass indicators.
Dial legibility is now really good, actually, on the Breliting Chronospace Military, which is an improvement over the outgoing models. Even though the lume color is attempting to look like aged lume on vintage watches, it does end up looking cool. As much as I don’t want “professional” watches to be fashion-focused, those looking for that cool urban military look will find something to enjoy in the Breitling Chronospace Military if their primary motive is looks alone.
It is possible that additional color versions of the Breliting Chronospace Military will be available. That means white versus aged-style lume, as well as other possible variations. For now, the standard black with cream lume case comes with various strap options, including this green fabric strap, as well as a black fabric strap. You could also put the Breliting Chronospace Military watch on a bracelet – though only if you like the Milanese-style bracelet in black. Also note the cool looking caseback of the watch.
From a durability perspective, this is a pilot’s watch, not a diver. So you’ll have to deal with the 50 meters of water resistance, which is about standard for most of Breitling’s ana-digi SuperQuartz timepieces. Over the dial, of course, is an AR-coated sapphire crystal. Good looking and useful, the Breitling Chronospace Military is a fine addition to their larger collection which very much fits the theme of the brand, as well as the type of persona Breitling has currently been pushing. The watch is, however, rather pricey, with the Breitling Chronospace Military having a retail price of $5,915. breitling.com
