If you liked the functionality of the last year’s Transocean Chronograph Unitime World Time, but didn’t quite care for its bombastic styling that just screamed conspicuous consumption, the Swiss watchmaker gives you yet another chance to fall in love with this beautiful watch.
While sporting the same hardware inside its generously proportioned body, this new Breitling Transocean Unitime Pilot limited edition chronograph now comes in a no-nonsense black-and-grey color scheme that makes it an almost perfect “tool” for a pilot.
The chronograph sports a “black steel” satin-brushed case that will probably be more resistant to occasional dents and scratches thanks to the increased carbon content in the high-grade alloy. The color of the body is neatly matched by a matt black dial that, like other Unitime models, features a rotating ring near the bezel with names of all major time zones, including Paris, Denver, Riyadh, and even Noumea, New Caledonia.
Some may find it not terribly convenient, but you may not see the current time in two time zones at the same moment: the manufacture caliber that animates this model works in a different way. First, you will need to set the correct time at your ‘home’ zone, and only then, by rotating the setting crown backward (the hour hand will move in one-hour steps as you turn the crown) until the name of the city you are currently in will jump to a position at 12 hours. The date will, too, change automatically.
The new color scheme makes this limited edition (only 1000 numbered pieces will be made) model blend nicely into the refreshed Transocean line, which is characterized by simple, clean lines and minimalistic decor. Of course, measuring 46 millimeters in diameter and more than 15 millimeters thick, the new timepiece is still large, even for an aviator’s watch, but the gargantuan proportions are something that comes with the name, isn’t it?
Also, while most of their timekeepers are, as some prefer to call it, ‘huge by choice’ (i.e. their size rarely has anything to do with either their dial openings or dimensions of the movements that power them), this one actually has a pretty good excuse to be big. As you can see, the diameter of the dial in this particular case is impressive, while the bezel, on the other hand, is relatively thin.
As a result, you get a watch, which is (relatively) easy to read in most lighting scenarios, although, to be frank, I would prefer the 24-hour scale on the ring to feature a more legible day/night indicator with white and black halves respectively.
As I have already mentioned, mechanically this watch is identical to the 2012 model. It is still powered by their in-house Caliber B05 chronograph movement, which means that you have a timekeeper animated by an officially COSC-certified chronometer with a pretty much impressive power reserve of 70 hours. With the said power reserve, the device will not break any world record in terms of guaranteed power supply, but it is still enough if you plan to keep it in a drawer from Friday night till Monday morning.
See also: Breitling Transocean Chronograph 01 Limited Edition
Photos: Breitling
Breitling Transocean Unitime Pilot Chronograph specification
Movement: Automatic, Caliber B05, in-house, Swiss Made
Number of jewels: 56
Movement frequency: 28,800 vph
Power reserve: 70 hours
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date, chronograph, second time zone (GMT)
Case, Bezel, and Crown material: Stainless steel, blacked
Case shape: Round
Bezel shape: Round
Case size: 46.00 mm
Case height: 15.40 mm
Lug width: 24/20 mm
Dial: Black
Numerals: Arabic
Hour markers: Luminous
Hands: Luminous
Water resistance: 100 meters
Strap: Stainless steel mesh bracelet
Crystal: Sapphire, antireflective on both sides, convex
Back: Screw-in