The Swiss watchmaker, renowned for its military pilot aviation watches, has announced the launch of a new limited-edition timepiece, inspired by Red Arrows.
The official sponsor of the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team
Breitling has been partnering with the Royal Air Force dates since the 1930s, when the brand’s precision onboard chronographs were supplied to its aircraft, ensuring precise calculations of distance and fuel during extremely challenging flying conditions. Fast forward 30 years and the RAF’s elite precision team, the Red Arrows, became the world’s premier aerobatic display team, combining unparalleled speed and agility in close formation manoeuvres. Red Arrows pilots wear Breitling chronographs built to withstand 7G on – as such this is the only luxury watch brand with the permission to feature the Red Arrows’ iconic motif.
History of Aerospace
1985 saw the invention of Breitling’s multifunction chronograph, Aerospace, equipped with state-of-the-art Swiss technology and designed for fast-jet pilots. An advanced control system, crown-activated functionality and a titanium case made it a favourite for aviators; now when a pilot gets their wings, they often receive a Breitling Aerospace. The new Red Arrows Edition follows the original’s technical-sleek retro style, sporting the Red Arrows trademark “Diamond Nine” flight formation on the blue dial, with the Eclat crest engraved on the case back.
Features fit for flying
Its SuperQuartzTM calibre is officially chronometer-certified, with a user-friendly control system and functions including a 1/100th of a second chronograph, a countdown timer, a second time zone, an alarm, an audible time signal (minute repeater), a calendar, and a backlighted LCD digital display that’s suitable for all day or night flights.
Squadron Leader Tom Bould, Red 1 and Team Leader of the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, commented on how this wearable tech benefits the team: “Timing is critical to the world-class, dynamic displays and colourful flypasts synonymous with the Red Arrows. The team has to arrive at the right place, at the right time anywhere around the world, to the second – often with millions watching in-person or many more enjoying the performances via global media coverage. This precision and attention-to-detail are hallmarks shared by the Red Arrows and Breitling. But our mutual dedication and focus go further than that. We’re pleased to have such a longstanding relationship with another organisation that understands how to combine this unrelenting requirement for precision with creativity, innovation and style.”
Limited to 350 pieces worldwide
With just 350 available to purchase, this is sure to become a collector’s item, as well as a specialist piece of equipment. The Breitling Aerospace Red Arrows Special Edition can be purchased from Breitling.com, Breitling Boutiques and stockists across the United Kingdom, at a price of £3,500. Each Limited-Edition Aerospace also comes with a special commemorative coin officially authorised by the Ministry of Defence. Made of a pure zinc alloy, it is engraved with “Diamond Nine”, and the Breitling heritage “B” on the reverse.
Gavin Murphy Managing Director of Breitling UK said of the collaboration: “We are proud that Breitling and the Red Arrows have one of the longest-running relationships between a watch brand and a military display team. A relationship built on shared values, precision timing and excellence and a trust in our designs and functionality, as the pilots continue to wear our watches whilst testing the limits in their breath-taking displays. This Aerospace – elevated with Red Arrows insignia – is a long-requested edition that we have great pleasure in making available to the public for the first time.”
