Swiss watch maker Breitling has applied a new philosophy placing the smartphone in the service of the watch to enhance its functionality and conviviality, in creating its first connected chronograph.

The B55 Connected, a new-generation connected chronograph, will pay the way for other avant-grade developments, said a statement.

For Breitling, there was no question of turning a watch into an extension dependent on a phone and less high-performance than the latter.

The chronograph will remain the absolute master and the connection with the smartphone is primarily designed to improve its user friendliness.

The two-way communication will enable the two instruments to form a perfectly complementary pair in which each is used for what it does best. Since the main assets of a smartphone are its screen and its ergonomic interface, owners of the B55 Connected can use their phone to perform certain adjustments (time-setting, timezones, alarms, display and operating parameters, night mode, etc).

The result is a considerable gain in comfort and efficiency. Conversely, the user may also upload the results of various measurements (flight times, etc) from the chronograph to the smartphone so as to be able to read them more easily, store them or pass them on.

The new connected watch system devised by Breitling thus facilitates use of the chronograph functions, in keeping with the spirit of authentic instruments for professionals.

The B55 Connected is also distinguished by its ultra-technical look, based on a titanium case with black carbon-based coating and a dial adorned with a blue wireless symbol. This original blue and black theme continues on the sturdy rubber strap.

The chronograph boasts a wide range of innovative functions that make it the ultimate pilot’s instrument, including an electronic tachometer, a countdown/countup system enabling a sequence of countdown and ‘long duration’ timing (Mission Elapsed Time) operations, along with an eminently aviation-oriented ‘chrono flight’ device that is useful in recording flight times while memorising the take-off time, landing time and date.

It is equipped with a particularly simple and logical control mode, involving function selection by rotating the crown, and activation/deactivation by means of two pushpieces.

The two ultra-legible LCD screens feature a high-intensity backlighting system that may be activated merely by pressing the crown – or when the user tilts his wrist at a more than 35° angle, which proves particularly effective when the hand is gripping aircraft controls or a steering wheel.

The exclusive new Breitling Caliber B55, a SuperQuartz movement ten times more accurate than standard quartz, is chronometer-certified by the COSC (Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute), the highest industry benchmark in terms of reliability and precision based on an international norm. - TradeArabia News Service