Hands-on Breitling B55 Connected Replica Watch with Chronograph

First look…Breitling B55 connected watch and phone app

Watch fans and technophiles, the Breitling B55 Connected Replica watch looks like something to get excited about.  This could be the most exciting Swiss luxury “smartwatch” yet.  It is definitely an admirable step into the highly dynamic smartwatch arena.   Calling it “a new-generation connected chronograph”, Breitling has just unveiled what you might consider its version of the Swiss smartwatch.  Connected to a mobile app via Bluetooth, the B55 caliber is a souped-up build of Breitling’s B50 caliber (superquartz with electronic multifunction chronograph movement with analog and digital displays) which debuted in 2014.  My initial review of the functionality of this watch indicates that Breitling looks to have taken a very thoughtful approach to represent a luxurious yet practical Swiss-made smartwatch.  And design-wise, it looks great, with the solid build and technical-look that so many Breitling fans love and admire so much. I’ve never considered myself a Breitling die-hard, but already I could see myself owning a watch like this.One of the features I found most spectacular is the time setting:  change the time / time zone through the app, and the digital time is changed on the watch…AND so is the analog time.  The hands are automatically adjusted!  Very slick.

Scroll down for a full photo set + a great explanatory video.

 

Breitling B55 Connected

I am wanting for more details, that’s for sure, though the video above presents a lot of nuggets of detail on the watch.  First, you can see that there is wireless connectivity via Bluetooth.  And while I was immediately wondering about battery life – it appears that there is ability to charge the watch through a cable that attaches to the side of the Breitling B55 Connected chronograph replica watch magnetically and USB on the other (still, some more details related to battery life are needed).

You can also see that it is very specifically geared towards aviation.  My question in this regard is, does the functionality appeal to strongly to professional pilots, or will it capture the hearts and wallets of more casual users…or somewhere in between.

blackened titanium case, blue rubber strap

Breitling B55 connected watch - Perpetuelle

Early announcements from Swiss watchmakers show an orientation of their smartwatch functionality to what we see coming out of Silicon Valley, while still retaining the look of a mechanical watch.  For example, Frederique Constant/Alpina & MotionX and their MMT platform tracks activity such as steps, sleep tracking, et al.  Stuff that I don’t find particularly interesting.  However, Breitling has taken a completely different — and much more compelling, I would argue — approach.  As one of the largest Swiss watchmakers and one which positions itself as making “Instruments for Professionals”, the brand already well-known and respected for its analog/digital Breitling B55 Connected replica watches, and to now integrate them with a smartphone in this manner makes a lot of sense.  Particularly for aviators, professional or otherwise, this could actually be a really useful pairing so long as Breitling is able to make sure its mobile app and software is as robust as the watch.

Breitling B55 connected watch logo

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 B55 Connected 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 memorizing 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.

B55 Connected

Now this, I like.  Nicely done, Breitling.  I am impressed and think this is a very solid “V1” from Breitling in the highly dynamic smartwatch arena.  Exciting to see where this goes.  Next step would be to see how it fares under some real world, hands-on use!  Any pilots out there with initial thoughts/reactions?  Please comment!

http://www.breitling.com/en/