If memory lane is not visited once in a while, then past is not appreciated as it should be and the future is harder to inspire. This is to say that Breitling has come a long way, producing and inspiring some of the world’s best collections of watches we have seen in modern times. The watch company introduced the Aerospace collection in 1985. This line has historically been designed for pilots and globe trotters who required multi-functionality in a timepiece.
As with several other areas in the fashion and retail industry, luxury timepieces are becoming more contemporary and trendy. This development mainly due to the deluge of digital watches coming from the industry, produced by the most affluent and established luxury companies.
Breitling was one of the first to set this trend with their Aerospace collection in the late 1980s, which has recently been re-released as the Aerospace EVO watch in their ‘Professional’ collection. Breitling has been refining the design very consistently since then. With its detailed capacities and accessibility features such as dual LCDs, titanium case, and bold numerals on the dial, you can see why this model is one of their most forward-looking timepieces to date. The Breitling Professional Aerospace EVO is available in 4 styles – Titanium Black, Titanium Blue, Titanium Anthracite and DLC-Coated Titanium Black.
Dial
The dial on the Aerospace EVO is more refined than its predecessors. The dial is available in three different options — Volcano black, Mariner blue, and Tungsten grey, with adjusted and glossy elements at the quarter-hour and logo. There are two apertures for the digital display which has a backlight that turns on when the dial is slowly twisted.
The lume on this watch is incredible. All numbers except the quarter-hour applied indicators have lume applied. Generally, the Breitling Aerospace EVO provides a lot more advanced features than its previous models. Breitling has chosen to include these super quartz versions into their luxury collections and you can feel the distinction and quality just by wearing the watch.
The timepiece uses a single directional steel diving bezel with numerals at every 5 minutes. At the 0 spots, there is an enormous sapphire protected, lume pip. The pivoting bezel is engraved and has combined rider tabs, so characteristic and slightly reminiscent of the Breitling Avenger. The Aerospace EVO offers two techniques to schedule events; the chronograph and timer, so the addition of the diving bezel includes the third method. Though it is quite exciting but looks nice on the watch, and no doubt, that renders it very valuable.
Case
The watch is only available in a 43mm diameter case, which is more than enough to pack a punch and other great features. The case does not exhibit any ‘wowing’ features apart from being made out of titanium, a metal used frequently in the field of aeronautics. The bezel is ratcheted and a little darker than steel and is light also weighing 1.7oz (without the bracelet)
The crown is a bit small in our opinion, although that depends on the frequency of use. Its size apart, this is the only method to use all the different complications on the watch, and it performs its functions satisfactorily. You have the option to pick between turning the crown quickly to switch modes or skip whole hours or turning it slowly, which turns on the backlight. Pulling out the crown helps to adjust the time, or clasp it to switch on the alarm or minute repeater. No doubt, it is a cool little UI option, but it will be easier to use if it is a little bit larger.
Glancing top down on this timepiece, you can a meticulously set sapphire crystal with a glare-proof coating on both sides. This unique component of the watch is elementary but potent. The Breitling Aerospace EVO’s case back displays a conversion scale for Anglo-Saxon and metric measurements.
The Aerospace EVO watch utilises a thermo-compensated Quartz operated movement known as the Breitling 79. Confirmed to be ten times more accurate than a regular movement, it is a reworked version of the ETA Thermoline family of movements and is very respected.
The movement provides capacities such as 1/100th-second chronograph, GMT (second-time zone), alarm, countdown timer, an audible time signal analogous to a minute repeater, date day (fixed into a perpetual calendar), night vision compatible backlight, 100 meters water-resistant (330 feet), a battery end-of-life indicator (EOL), 48 hours power reserve, and frequency of 28,000 mph.
All of these functions in accessory to the chronometer-certified time-keeping are regulated and operated by altering the only crown. Being that this is a COSC certified quartz movement, a marginal +/- 0.07/s variation is eventually expected. Even though accuracy has ever been an issue for quartz watches, it is worth remarking the excellent quality and attention to detail this timepiece provides.
Wearability
The Aerospace EVO watch can come fitted with either a titanium bracelet, rubber tang-type strap, alligator leather strap or a polyamide fabric tang-type strap. The most popular option is usually the titanium bracelet – again, due to it being super light, the whole package is less than 4oz. The titanium bracelet can be fitted with a combined, optional auxiliary co-pilot electronic module.
The titanium bracelet’s links are screwed together. The links are made of three different pieces, so when you adjust the bracelet, you have to construct the links. It is instrumental and considerably simple to change yourself, but it is a bit uneasy about getting it right. The bracelet and straps wear comfortably on the wrist, and the clasp leaves a little to be desired.
Price
This is truly an outstanding timepiece that would effortlessly operate as a one-watch. Nonetheless, it would hold an ample space in a diversified collection as well. With the massive combination of functionality and its emphasis on accuracy, this is a piece that would do any (and every) operation that you would require. It comes highly recommended.
The Breitling Aerospace EVO watch collection starts from £3,250 (€3,630 or $4,310) for the Titanium Black, Blue and Anthracite styles. The top line Aerospace EVO DLC-Coated Titanium (Black) watch with a rubber push-button folding clasp is available for slightly more at £4,050 (€4,531 or $5,350). It is available at Breitling’s online store and good watch stockists.
