It’s hard to believe, but the “professional” Aerospace line is here for the whole three decades! Celebrating the anniversary, Breitling has introduced a limited-edition Aerospace Evo Night Mission chronograph. With a total production run limited to mere 300 pieces and a new color of the dial that nicely accents its almost black satin-brushed body, the 2015 model will probably be sold out in no time even despite its impressive price.
Overall Impression
Predictably, the new Night Mission Chronograph looks like your normal Aerospace Evo model. The case still features that carbon-saturated gunmetal-style finish, the mechanism is the same, and all visual elements look identical to those of, say, 2013 Aerospace Evo.
The dial is finally available in a bright Cobra Yellow color that we have already seen last year when the brand introduced their Emergency II SuperQuartz model. The only thing that differentiates the new chronograph from previous iterations is the deep-brown “Military” textile strap that features nice stitching in another shade of brown and is secured to your wrist with a comfortable folding clasp.
There is also a version with a traditional Volcano black dial, but, to my liking, the version with the yellow face looks like a more rational choice for those buying a Breitling in order to get more attention: you will get tons of attention with the yellow one, alright.
Case & Strap
At 43 millimeters in diameter, one can rightfully call the case ‘oversized’, but it will probably fit most wrists out there. Also, measuring less than 11 millimeters from the top of its double-glare-proofed sapphire crystal to the bottom of its solid case back cover, it is comfortable with any sort of clothing,
The fact that the timekeeper features an extremely clean, visually (and physically) light design, too, helps a great deal especially if you plan to wear this watch with formal attire.
With its case crafted from a titanium alloy, the Aerospace Evo is impressively lightweight tipping the scales at less than 47 grams. At the same time, the aforementioned carbonized finish reduces the risk of putting a scratch on the relatively soft metal, although it is not as robust as, say, DLC coating.
The rotating bezel doesn’t have any sort of notches on its edge, but that doesn’t have any sort of negative effect on the timepiece’s usability since the four “rider” tabs on top of the bezel make adjusting the timer an easy task.
As for the crown, it is still a more multifunctional device than its simple appearance suggests. It not only allows you to correct the positions of the open-worked hour and minute hands but also serves to operate the digital functions of this device. Sporting a pair of Rolex-style crown guards, it is adequately protected from shocks.
Mechanism
In the hardware department, this is basically the same watch that was presented in 2013. So this is no wonder that this limited edition model comes powered by the same ETA ThermoLine E10.451-based Breitling cal. 79 “SuperQuartz” movement. If the name doesn’t tell you much, this is one of the most accurate quartz mechanisms currently available on the market. Officially certified by COSC as a chronometer, it gives most European and Japanese movements a run for their money.
With the usual hours, minutes, chronograph, and calendar, as well as a countdown timer, second time-zone, alarm, and minute repeater its list of functions is not as extensive as we often get buying Japanese timekeepers of this class. But, frankly, do you really need an altimeter and a GPS tracker in a watch? I didn’t think so.
Dial
The dial is, too, standard. Clean and easy to read with its large Arabic numerals and a pair of wide, NVG-friendly LCD monitors (well, technically, it is a one LCD display with a pair of rectangular apertures in lower and upper halves of the dial), this is a good example of high readability. Most Japanese timekeepers with a similar analog-digital display could take a lesson or two from this model when it comes to legibility.
The version with Cobra yellow dial is the best in this regard. Even though it seriously compromises the stealthy appearance of the device, stealthiness is probably the last thing you are buying a Breitling watch for, isn’t it? I mean, when you pay up to $5300 USD for a quartz-powered timepiece, it’d better be easy to notice.
See also: Breitling Chronospace Military SuperQuartz
Photos: Breitling
WWR verdict
Originality 3.5/5
Build quality: 5/5
Usability: 4.5/5
Legibility: 5/5
Value for money: 4/5
Breitling Aerospace Evo Night Mission specification
Price: $5300 (MSRP)
Movement: Quartz, Breitling caliber 79 (base ETA ThermoLine E10.451 SuperQuartz), Swiss Made
Power reserve: 3-4 years
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date, chronograph, calendar, second time-zone, alarm, minute repeater
Case: Titanium, black
Shape: Round
Size: 43.00 mm
Case height: 10.80 mm
Lug width: 22/20 mm
Dial: Volcano black / Cobra yellow
Numerals: Arabic, luminous
Hour markers: Black, luminous
Hands: Luminous, open-worked
Water resistance: 100 meters
Strap: NATO-style brown “Military” textile strap on folding clasp
Crystal: Sapphire, antireflective on both sides
Back: Solid, engraved