Breitling’s B55 Connected caliber made its debut inside the Exospace B55 Connected about two years ago, ushering this aviation-focused Swiss watchmaker into the smart watch era, joining fellow Swiss makers like TAG Heuer, Frederique Constant, Mondaine, Bulgari and others that also offer app-loaded electronic wristwear. But unlike nearly every one of its veteran Swiss watch competitors entering the smart watch arena, Breitling opted to create its electronic device in-house with a careful eye on enhancing its usefulness to pilots rather than simply expanding its reach to a new set of consumers.
Breitling this year moves its B55 caliber from the skies to the highway. Alongside long-time partner Bentley, the British maker of high-end automobiles, Breitling will debut the Bentley Supersports B55, designed in part to celebrate the debut of the speedy four-seat Bentley Continental Supersports car. The new watch is enriched with functions tailor-made for the automobile universe, veering from the more aviation-focused functions of the Exospace B55 model.
Thus, alongside the flyback chronograph, lap timer and electronic tachymeter, this B55 caliber features three types of racing chronograph functions. First, there’s a chrono rally function that will record up to thirty racing stages, complete with the departure date of the rally, the start time and duration of each stage, as well as intermediate times for each stage, while adding in any penalties incurred.
The second new ability is the chrono race function designed for track races. It enables the user to record the split times for each lap and calculate the average speed per lap. Finally Breitling has added a ‘regularity rally’ function that is useful in competitions in which the objective is to cover a given distance in a given time.
Useful even with no connectivity, the Bentley Supersports B55 (a limited edition of 500 pieces) has been designed as a chronograph with the smartphone connection used only to enhance its functionality and to store or transmit data.
The Bentley Supersports B55 is a COSC-certified quartz chronometer as it uses Breitling’s already highly accurate thermo-compensated Superquartz movement, complete with analog and digital displays. The watch’s 46mm titanium case features a sapphire crystal, rich carbon fiber dial, lined black rubber strap and is water resistant to 100 meters. Price: $7,860.
