Breitling Emergency

Every pilot, seafarer, and adventurer dreams of having a savior in an emergency situation: The Breitling Emergency is that guardian angel. It is the world's first wristwatch to save lives by sending distress signals at two frequencies. Thanks to this personal signal, rescuers are immediately aware of who needs rescuing.

The Emergency also features numerous additional functions, including a chronograph, timer, second time zone, alarm, and calendar. The bidirectional bezel with a compass rose can be used for navigation. This timepiece is the perfect instrument for professionals and has the right function for almost every challenge. The chronometer-certified SuperQuartz Breitling Caliber 76 provides this watch with its exceptional functionality. It is thermocompensated, meaning it is especially accurate and reliable.

The 51-mm case is made of light yet robust titanium. There are also versions in black-coated titanium. Thanks to this professional timepiece's enormous size, the dial is particularly easy to read. Pilots can wear this watch over the sleeve of their pilot's uniform.

A current Breitling Emergency II costs about 14,200 USD in mint condition. Pre-owned examples of this emergency watch in very good condition are only slightly less expensive. You can get a great deal on the original Emergency, which costs around 4,100 USD. Mint condition models are hard to come by since the Emergency I was only produced until the early 2000s. At 43 mm, the Emergency I is 8 mm smaller than its successor, making it better suited to everyday use. One highlight is the Emergency Night Mission with a titanium case coated in black. It is also the most expensive Emergency watch and demands upwards of 14,200 USD.

If you prefer a classic chronograph design with subdials, you should take a closer look at the Emergency Mission. At 45 mm, it is a substantial wristwatch. You can get a pre-owned model for around 3,800 USD. As this model is also out of production, mint condition versions are hard to find. Prices for a never-worn timepiece sit around 5,400 USD.

In the early 2000s, Breitling introduced thermocompensated, chronometer-certified SuperQuartz movements to the Emergency line. These movements deviate a maximum of ten seconds per year. On the other hand, your average quartz movement deviates up to 15 seconds per month. You can purchase a pre-owned Emergency SuperQuartz for as little as 3,900 USD. Models in mint condition are quite rare.

The Emergency is equipped with a micro-transmitter which uses the Cospas-Sarsat system , an international satellite-based search and rescue system. It's based on a network of geostationary (GEOSAR) and low-altitude (LEOSAR) satellites, ground receiving stations, and control and coordination centers. The system provides precise location data to search and rescue teams. Rescue teams have saved over 26,000 lives since the introduction of the Cospas-Sarsat system in 1985.

The Breitling Emergency's dual-frequency distress beacon alternates sending signals out on two different frequencies. It transmits a digital signal intended for satellites at a frequency of 406 MHz every 50 seconds. This signal delivers complete information, reduces false alarms, and offers more security. Every 2.25 seconds, the micro-transmitter transmits a second signal at a frequency of 121.5 MHz . This is received by ground stations on land, airplanes and helicopters in the sky, and boats in the sea. It helps to precisely locate the injured party and facilitate their rescue.

The Breitling Emergency is easy to use in everyday situations as well as in emergencies. Breitling added two antennas to the lower part of the watch for emergency situations. You simply pull them out after unscrewing the cap on the right side of the case. The correct direction to turn the cap is indicated by an arrow. After turning, you pull each antenna out as far as it goes and the cap automatically releases once it's at the correct length. After you've pulled out both antennas, the watch starts transmitting the distress signals. The antennas function in a wide range of environments; they are able to withstand extreme temperatures ranging from -20 to +55 °C (-4 to +131 °F). Like a mini-instruction manual, all of the steps are clearly written on the case back.

Breitling developed a special battery for the Emergency in order to supply it with power. It's remarkably more efficient than traditional batteries. With the help of a charging and testing device , you can test how full the battery is and charge it if needed. Thus, you'll never run out of power in an emergency. The testing device also assesses your watch's functionality.

The Emergency has more to offer than just a micro-transmitter and distress beacon. Breitling's Caliber 76 is COSC-certified. Since the caliber is a quartz movement, it underwent much stricter testing than a mechanical movement. A mechanical caliber is allowed to deviate a maximum of -4/+6 seconds per day. A quartz movement, on the other hand, may only deviate -/+ 0.07 seconds a day. This is equal to 2.1 seconds a month and 25.55 seconds a year. The average quartz movement deviates about 10 to 30 seconds from the official time each month.

The thermocompensated SuperQuartz Caliber 76 powers the Emergency. It's barely affected by temperature fluctuations. The time is displayed in a traditional, analog fashion with hands. However, it also features two LCD screens which are used to control the chronograph function. The Emergency can accurately measure time to within 1/100th of a second. Furthermore, the watch can display the time in another time zone (GMT function), and the calendar is multilingual.

The Breitling Emergency's look is tailored toward functionality through and through. Its 51-mm case immediately catches the eye and is even larger than the sizable watches from Panerai. Breitling uses lightweight, robust titanium for the cases. The Emergency's colorful dials are real eye-catchers, too. You have the additional choice between bright yellow or orange if you want something a little more exciting than a standard black dial. The numerals at 3, 6, and 9 are noticeably larger than the others and stand out. Breitling offers two different straps: a rubber strap and a three-link titanium bracelet.

Breitling first introduced the Emergency as a part of their Professional collection in 1995. The company worked together with professionals to develop this wristwatch with a distress beacon. The Emergency is designed so that it can save lives in emergency situations. Breitling engineers designed the watch to include a micro-transmitter together with two antennas . In case of emergency, the watch can transmit a distress signal at a frequency of 121.5 MHz. Every plane within a 160-km (99-mile) radius of the signal that's flying at a height of 6,000 m (19,685 ft) will receive the signal. The micro-transmitter is powered by two lithium batteries that last 48 hours once activated.

The watch also features alarm, countdown, and GMT functions as well as a chronograph function. Thanks to its incredibly precise quartz caliber , it can measure time to within 1/100th of a second. In comparison, mechanical chronographs like the Chronomat or the Navitimer can only measure to within 1/8th of a second. The display is analog, though there are two digital displays for the additional functions.

The Emergency's successor, the Breitling Emergency II, followed in 2013. It has a dual-frequency distress beacon. The term "beacon" means "signal." A distress beacon is a kind of tracking transmitter which sends your position via radio to emergency responders. Satellites can locate the Emergency II thanks to this dual-frequency distress beacon, which increases the signal's reach and the likelihood that rescuers will track you down. The case of this 51-mm watch is made of titanium, which makes it very robust and lightweight. Domed sapphire glass, which is anti-reflective on both sides, gives you a clear view of the dial. The watch's bezel rotates in both directions and features a compass.