The aviation-oriented chronograph Exospace B55, with notifications of the smartphone’s incoming emails, messages or phone calls (with caller’s name or number), is the first of its kind.
For Breitling there was no question of turning a wristwatch into an extension dependent on a smartphone yet less efficient than the latter. The chronograph remains the absolute master and the connection is primarily designed to improve its functionality. Two-way communication enables the two instruments to form a complementary pair in which each is used for what it does best.
Since the main assets of a smartphone are its screen and its ergonomic interface, owners of the Exospace B55 can use their phone to perform certain adjustments (time-setting, timezones, alarms, display and operating parameters, night mode). The result is a considerable gain in comfort and efficiency.
Conversely, the user can upload from the chronograph to the smartphone the results of various measurements (flight times, recorded times with split times, lap times, etc.) so as to be able to read them more easily, store them or pass them on. The new connected watch system devised by Breitling thus facilitates the use of the chronograph functions, in keeping with the spirit of authentic instruments for professionals.
The Breitling Exospace B55 multifunction electronic chronograph also receives notifications of the smartphone’s (iOS and Android Wear) incoming emails, messages (SMS, WhatsApp) or phone calls (with caller’s name or number) as well as reminders of upcoming appointments.
Breitling calls the Exospace B55 the next-generation chronograph. Its resolutely technical design features a sturdy and light titanium case equipped with a rotating bezel complete with rider tabs, and an exclusive TwinPro strap in two-tone rubber.
The light titanium case houses the Breitling Caliber B55 with analog and digital display, equipped with a range of original functions tailor-made for pilots. These include an electronic tachymeter, a chronograph recording up to 50 split times and a countdown/countup system that is useful in enabling a sequence of countdown and timing operations. An eminently aviation-oriented “chrono flight” device serves to record “block times” (times elapsed from the moment the plane begins to taxi towards takeoff through to when it comes to a halt at the end of a mission) and flight times, while memorizing departure dates and times, arrival times, as well as takeoff and landing times (Block and Flight Times functions).
User-friendliness is guaranteed by a particularly simple and logical control mode, involving function selection by rotating the crown of the watch, and activation/deactivation by means of two pushpieces. The two ultra-legible LCD (liquid crystal display) screens feature a backlighting system that may be activated merely by pressing the crown – or when the user tilts his wrist at a more than 35° angle (Tilt function). The latter proves particularly effective when the hand is gripping aircraft controls or a steering wheel.
Powered by a rechargeable battery system, the new multifunction Breitling Caliber B55, a SuperQuartz movement ten times more accurate than standard quartz, is chronometer-certified by the COSC (Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute).
Movement: Manufacture Breitling Caliber B55, officially chronometer-certified by the COSC, thermocompensated SuperQuartz, analog and digital 12/24-hour LC backlit display. 1/100th of a second chronograph, Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), Countdown/Countup (or MET Mission Elapsed Time), flight time chronograph, lap timer chronograph, electronic tachymeter, countdown, 2nd timezone, 7 daily alarms, perpetual calendar with week display, battery change indicator.
Case: black titanium. Water-resistant to 100 m/330 ft. Unidirectional ratcheted rotating bezel. Sapphire crystal, glareproofed on both sides.
Diameter: 46 mm.
Dial: Volcano black.
Strap: TwinPro.
Price: 8990 USD
The new Breitling Exospace B55 is sold from now on in the USA and then later on, step by step, around the world.
I guess the key for success is that this watch is the master and the PC/phone is a backup & storage place and one is not wearing a display that just looks like a watch.
Why do I have the feeling that a few years from now, all watch companies are going to be saying to themselves, why did we spend all that money developing such a watch? Sort of like what I’m sure the Swatch Group asks itself about their stillborn efforts with Microsoft, if I remember the other partner correctly.
I think this time things will be different. We will see a kind of parallel digital world with more and more such smart or connected timepieces. Ignoring the developement for the classical watchmakers is not the appropriate way of answering to a more and more connected world… And yes it was Microsoft who flopped with Swatch and TISSOT …