Breitling, a cult name when it comes to aviation-oriented timepieces, is under the spotlight with the Transocean Chronograph Unitime model that is acclaimed for its user-friendly world time function as well its attractive dial design.
World Time function is a complication that has been followed and applied by many brands from different levels over the last few years. In addition to its highly useful nature, the complication that is favored by the watch enthusiasts also offers a wide playground for the brands in terms of design thanks to multiple display methods.
For Breitling, which had its name written in letters of gold to the history of watchmaking with its aviation-oriented models, world time function is not a new subject at all as the roots of the Transocean Chronograph Unitime model we have here dates back to 1950s.
The model is offered in a Transocean Collection style case measuring 46mm in diameter. The front side of the case is equipped with a double side anti-reflective coated scratch resistant sapphire crystal that is surrounded by a plain mirror polished bezel. Accompanied by a large Breitling signed winding crown and a set of piston shaped chronograph pushers, the case sports a solid stainless steel case back and a water resistance rating of 100 meters / 10 bars.
As I mentioned at the beginning of my article, the model has a very user-friendly world time feature. The system uses two rotating disks, one indicating 24 hours and the other showing the names of 24 world cities. The time shown by the central hands works in accordance to the time zone displayed at 12 o’clock. The city disk indicates daylight savings times as well. The date display window is located at 4:30. Designed with contrast chronograph sub-counters on black background, the dial also tributes to the model’s world time feature with a beautiful globe drawing at the center.
The model’s chronograph function is controlled by the buttons on the right side of the case. All the adjustments including time, date and world time features are made using the winding crown. The user-friendly system works as follows; to change the time zone, the user pulls out the winding crown and turns it forward or backward in one-hour increments, which simultaneously corrects the hour hand, the 24-hour disk, and the date, in either direction. The wearer can then see at a glance what time it is in any other time zone in the world, including his home zone. The central minutes hand and seconds hand will continue to run during this operation without interruption; if the chronograph is switched on, it, too, continues running undisturbed.
Breitling Transocean Chronograph Unitime is powered by the manufacture movement Caliber Ref. B05. 56 jewels self-winding movement, which is based on Breitling’s first fully in-house movement Caliber Ref. B01, beats at a frequency of 4Hz (28.800vph) and offers 70 hours of power reserve time when fully wound. The movement is C.O.S.C. certified.
The Breitling Transocean Chronograph Unitime, available with black (as here) or polar white dial options, is offered in 18K pink gold or stainless steel cases. Besides the contrast white stitching black or brown alligator straps, there is also a Milanese bracelet option (for the stainless steel models only) as well.
