With the release of the new Transocean 38 and the reimagining of the Breitling Colt collection, Breitling has certainly been very active in recent weeks, but this period of exciting new releases shows no signs of beginning to dwindle, as in the last week another impressive new Breitling release has been making the headlines. Boldly dubbed as the ‘ultimate pilot’s instrument’ by its creator, and in possession of the very first multifunction SuperQuartz™ movement, the timepiece in question is named the Cockpit B50, and this sophisticated electronic chronograph undoubtedly boasts the capabilities to place an eminently credible claim upon that title.
Light and sturdy, the 46mm case of the B50 is crafted from carbon-coated titanium, and can be purchased in either natural or black colourations as desired. Just one glance at the powerful dial of the Cockpit B50 suggests that the timepiece is a genuine technical spectacle, and that judgement would certainly be accurate, as it possesses all of the properties that have come to be prized upon the most extreme aerial missions. The chronograph is equipped with a flyback and a split-time function, but those are by no means the only utilities, as a second time-zone display, a perpetual calendar, twin alarms and a countdown or lap-timer capability are all present and correct as well.
Not content with this plethora of efficient functions, Breitling have also seen fit to include an entirely electronic tachometer, incredibly smooth switching between countdown and timing operations, and a device that accurately documents flight times by logging the date, departure and arrival times. We’ve already mentioned the fact that the B50 incorporates a second time-zone indicator, but thanks to the inclusion of Coordinated Universal Time – the aviation benchmark – transition between these time-zones is also highly convenient. Of course, a potentially unwanted side effect of all this functionality could be the creation of a timepiece that was over-convoluted, but, as you might anticipate, Breitling seems to have taken this into account as well.
The control system for the Cockpit B50 is described by Breitling as ‘simple, logical and consistent’, and it relies upon an innovative method of selection using the crown, followed by either one of the two push-pieces on the right-hand side of the timepiece. A number of interface messages can also be read upon the screen of the B50, serving to guide the user through the vast array of functions that are on offer, so every effort has been taken to prioritise user-friendliness at all times. Similarly, the monochrome LCD displays have been optimised for readability, and the digits have been generously proportioned to that same end.
In what looks like a masterstroke of creativity, the backlight of the LCD screens – included to ensure visibility within both day and night conditions – will automatically activate whenever the user tilts their wrist in excess of 35°. Considering that this action will be fairly commonplace when one is at the helm of an aeroplane or even a more commonplace car, 
this ingenious assistance is likely to be absolutely invaluable. Naturally, such a function requires an unwavering energy source, and so the rechargeable battery of the B50 can be replenished at a variety of sources, including the USB port of a computer. Fully certified to chronometer standards of accuracy, the Cockpit B50 looks like an exceptional aviation timepiece in every possible respect.
At Banks Lyon Jewellers, we are delighted to have both variants of the Cockpit B50 in stock. The flagship Breitling Cockpit B50 retails for £5,280, and is also available on 0% finance for 36 monthly payments of £117.33 alongside a 20% deposit. Additionally, we are pleased to be able to offer you the Breitling Cockpit B50 Night Mission timepiece. Priced at £5,850, and obtainable on finance for 36 monthly payments of £130 and a 20% deposit, this sleek and darkly stylish variant of the new B50 is certain to be a popular release. If you’d like to find out more about these two new timepieces, or indeed have an enquiry about any of our other Breitling watches, don’t hesitate to contact our friendly team now by calling 01524 38 48 58 or emailing [email protected]. We’ll always be happy to assist you, and will be able to provide you with all of the detailed information that you desire.
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