Thought I’d re-post this after 20 years of ownership (first Posted in 2013, bought in 1999 or 2000) in reference my Breitling Aerospace (Repetition minutes) as a reminder of how good this old watch was and still is.
Just realised the other day that I’ve never actually posted about my favourite daily beater I’ve worn for the last 15 years. My Breitling Aerospace Titanium that I bought when on business in Glasgow. After some lunch I happened to be strolling past a jewellers and there it was and I simply loved it – went in with no hesitation and bought it. And I still think it was and still is the best and most practical watch purchase I ever made.
Now some folks think Breitling watches are big, flashy and cumbersome, but with this model nothing could be further from the truth. It’s titanium, it’s very light and unlike many of today’s current crop, it’s very slim at just 9mm in depth and a case diameter of only 40mm. With the matching titanium solid link bracelet it’s quite a combination. It slips unobtrusively under a shirt for dress occasions but also is the business when it comes to everyday wear – AND it’s probably a statement too. This particular version has a quite subtle dial green colour with high contrast numerals and markers.
Dial wise – Clarity is all with this watch – the digital date is the clearest to read of ANY watch (it is electro luminescent) I know with an excellent anti-reflection coated flat Sapphire crystal – and slim hands with the so very clever extension of the minute hand over the centre pivot, which makes it so clear when reading the time – plus a nigh on perfect and understated luminous capability at night – it’s about as good as any watch can get in my opinion. The top bezel is click set in two directions and the watch is all Titanium.
The twin digital display is perhaps one of the clearest I’ve ever seen. It is bright in all light conditions and has a built in fluorescence that makes the numerals stand out perfectly. The lower double height display shows everything you need – either set as shown with Day and Date, Date and Seconds, or Seconds, Alarm time, Chronograph, Current or Dual Time and Timer – the upper display shows which feature is set. I usually have it set as shown with Day and Date and rarely use the other features, though the Dual Time can be useful on holiday as can the Alarm though these days I prefer a vibration alarm however – the old hearing is going!
And this particular version is also what’s called “repetition minutes” – this provides a sonic indication of the hours and minutes simply by pressing on the crown, when the watch display is either showing the neutral (blank digitals) or the local time display, the seconds-date display or the day-date position.
Great when I bought it, but these days I don’t hear too well, so not a lot of use for me. 😦
Another aspect of this watch is the fact that even with all these functions, it only has a single crown, the operation of which has always been perfect. The usual chronograph style pushers and buttons are quite superfluous and is the feature I prefer most over all other chronograph models. And this is due to the excellent Quartz E10.391 movement module (some non repetition minute models have ETA988.332 modules), which has worked perfectly ever since I bought it, without a glitch and I’m so glad it does. (I also suspect this model was actually produced in February 1998, according to my reading of the serial data)
I understand that should there be an issue, God forbid, as it’s no longer made, there is an upgrade available (but at some cost!). I believe the replacement is the E10.351.5 plus a replacement watch back 130.F65062.SQ, as the module dimensions are different. Fortunately in my case not necessary! 😉
I said that clarity was terrific on this watch and this is it shown against some of my other models as a comparison – and that date clarity – amazing. Whilst the digits are not illuminated (there is no light feature on the watch) it is amazing how the digits stand out – completely superior to the usual digits on the other watches in the image.
The Breitling dial also shows just how good the anti-reflection coating is and how clever the hands/display clarity actually is – see how the digits really stand out – it always impresses me! The Citizen watches shown are OK but neither compare when doing the quick glance and checking the date.
Another good point about this Aerospace – it holds a decent pre-owned value today – so a good buy (the Citizens have dropped value and the centre one was pricier)
However, as with everything being a premium Brand, Breitling always recommend you send it to them for a new battery when needed. And OK this is what they call added value aftersales, yes?
Well I did just that after the first 5 years of use (silly me) and it was a bit expensive I have to say. Though looking back on it all those years ago and in fairness, they not only changed the battery, but also updated the dial and more or less overhauled the whole thing, so perhaps it was worth it. Effectively they provided a full service.
However I don’t think they’d do that anymore – in fact I am certain!
But on 10/05/2020 I simply snapped off the back (never understood why this was not a screw back) swapped out the 977 battery, ensured the back was replaced in the correct positioning, snapped the back on again, reset the date, month, day, time etc. And it’s working perfectly again.
I would note on the single crown operation, initially I found it tricky to operate.
When I first did this I followed the instructions – which said – The Months adjust with a fast spin of the crown as do some other adjustments, others are with a slow turn. This is done with the crown out, but even in this position there is not much to grip – so a fiddly thing to do. And that’s the issue – It’s tempting to rub a finger along it to spin it quickly, but beware this can put undue sideways pressure on the spindle which is not a good idea.
BUT since then I’ve discovered after having the watch for so long, that their idea of fast and mine are different. Initially I did my fast – and realised after having bought a Tissot Two timer watch with a similar module, that their fast was actually just steady as opposed to slow. Since then no issues at all – so my bad!
So, this is still my number one daily watch and a battery change will be possibly next year. So steady, not fast is the watchword. A bit like me really!
Watch space 