The Breitling Extreme 800 is scheduled for summer 2012.

Known for their highly functional and durable timepieces, Breitling is not only famous for its extreme precision. A primarily athletics-aimed company, the watch making brand has accompanied a number of extreme sports members in their energetic pursuits. This year, pilot and extreme record guru Herbert Nitsch will take the Breitling test to a new level – 800 feet below sea level, to be exact.

In June of 2007, Nitsch, or “The Flying Fish,” freedove a record 700 feet into the Aegean Sea off the Greek island of Spetses. Though this surpassed the efforts of his adventurous competitors, Nitsch is currently in preparation to take another plunge with his Breitling with the goal to break his own record. After a handful of successful trial runs with equipment as high-tech and reliable as Breitling watches themselves, Nitsch is scheduled to dive again this summer, this time off the island of Santorini, to officially claim 2012’s Breitling Extreme 800 for the second year in a row.

Originally founded in 1884 by Leon Breitling in Saint-Imier, Switzerland, the private company is currently headquartered in Grenolen. Since 2000, the company has focused on the production of certified chronometers, due to their high functionality in extreme conditions. Sounding somewhat of a misnomer, the watches are famous for their complications, meaning they frequently feature qualities beyond the simple display of hours, minutes, and seconds. This ambitious style is used because the Breitling pieces are typically created with a targeted clientele in mind—the manufacturer generates watches for diving, aviation, as well as traditional luxury, and many end up in conditions as intense as the drive of their owners.

Herbert Nitsch dives for Breitling

With names like Navimeter and SuperOcean, it’s no secret that Breitling watches are built to withstand excessive environments. The Navimeter offers aviation functions, the SuperOcean is capable of enduring the utmost amounts of water and pressure, and extreme luxury options like the Breitling for Bentley can offer highly complex movements, gold cases and bracelets, and diamonds on the bezel. The watch was even a competitor with Omega to launch to the moon, but Breitling instead remained experts of the sea, sky, and sports car.

Perhaps most impressive is the Emergency. This incredible timepiece is intended for civil as well as military pilots, but is also available to the public on the condition that buyers sign an agreement to compensate in the event of a rescue service. The Breitling Emergency features a radio transmitter which broadcasts on distress frequencies, and has even been reported to save lives.

Whatever the feat, the extreme events associated with this brand make Breitling watches a reliable and trustworthy choice, for highway cruisers and freedivers alike.

The Breitling Naval Centennial Limited Edition Airwolf is the watch that this Swiss watchmaking brand decided to create for the 100th anniversary of naval aviation. This unique time piece is very special to own since it is limited edition and celebrates one of the greatest creations in history.

Breitling limited edition Airwolf

This new watch isn’t just any ordinary time piece. The Airwolf has been across the entire world as well as launching into outer space and returned to Earth in Washington D.C. this past Dec. 3 at the closing event, just in time to celebrate the 100th anniversairy of naval aviation. At the closing event, the watch was presented as well as a log of the watches journey across the globe and into outer space. This new series from Beitling offers this Airwolf limited edition watch which will be auctioned off in order to raise money for the National Flight Academy. The purpose of the National Flight Academy is teaching students to specialize in certain fields of aviation including technology, science, math and engineering.

This one of a kind Airwolf time piece made its debut in January 2011 at the Breitling Manhattan flagship boutique, where it is available for purchase as well. This watch retails at $4,500 making it a very special accessory to own but well worth its price. The watch contains a seal on the dial which reads “100th Anniversary of Naval Aviation”. This sacred time piece has all of the functions necessary for a naval pilot. The Airwolf contains an alarm, a 1/100th of a second chronograph that has slip times, a second timezone with an independent alarm, a countdown, a perpetual calendar and UTC. This watch is very durable since it is made from steel and has a navigational rotating bezel. You are sure to be the envy amongst all of your friends with this classy time piece.

One might wonder just how rare these time pieces are and the answer is, pretty rare. Only 500 of these precious watches were manufactured. Fifty of these watches were given to the 100th Anniversary of Naval Aviation Foundation, in celebration of a great moment in history. Breitling is also a Silver National Sponsor of the anniversary event. Any additional watches that were sold raised an extra 100 dollars, which was given back to the foundation.

Herbert Nitsch aims for 800 feet with the help for Breitling products in the Breitling Extreme 800.

Written by: Vanessa Formato

Freediving may not be what most people think of when they think about extreme sports. Breitling, one of the most respected names in premium sports watches, knows that extreme diving represents one of the final frontiers for testing human endurance. Alongside their brand ambassador, Herbert “The Flying Fish” Nitsch, Breitling aims to prove just how incredible the human spirit– and their equipment– is with the Breitling Extreme 800 event.

The Breitling Extreme 800 will be a No-Limits Apnea dive. No-Limits Apnea is a diving discipline recognized that involves competitive breath-holding. Divers submerge to extreme depths with the help of metal bars, or “sleds,” and may dive in any way that they prefer. This kind of freediving is extremely dangerous, and many apnea diving organizations are hesitant to recognize it due to the dangers involved. Over the years, many divers have died while attempting No-Limits divers.

According to Nitsch’s website, he has “set 31 world records in all [eight] official disciplines [ratified] by the World Governing Freediving Federation A.I.D.A.” Nitsch has been setting records since 2001 and holds like current 700-foot record.

Nitsch is also well-known among divers for the techniques he employs to dive to such extreme depths, which he will surely employ during the Breitling challenge. Nitsch empties his breath into a small bottle at an early point in the descent, which he then using during the rest of the dive to aid in equalization.

In the recently released trailer for the event, Nitsch can be seen wearing one of Breitling’s professional watches, the Superocean Chronograph II. Breitling is one of the preferred chronograph lines for aviators and divers (Nitsch is a former pilot as well as a diver). It may be safe to say that Breitling is making a wise choice in publicizing such an extreme dive: Nitsch will be acting as a live billboard for the brand. If a Breitling watch can survive the most extreme feat ever attempted by the “Deepest Man on Earth,” then it is surely worth the premium price tag.

While Breitling announced the Extreme 800 event earlier in 2011, it will not be happening until the summer of 2012. Nitsch has a gargantuan task ahead of him to train for and the year will surely be necessary for training purposes. Nitsch does not see the 800-foot mark as the stopping point: his ultimate goal is to successfully freedive to 1000 feet.

Nitsch and Breitling fans will be updated on Nitsch’s progress up until the day of the Extreme 800 through Breitling’s website.

Since 1884, Swiss watchmaker Breitling has been making high-end time instruments for professionals. Breitling watches are frequently branded by their polished cases and bracelets with large watch faces which are designed to increase the readability of the watch in a variety of environments. They have a worldwide reputation for creating luxurious, versatile, and durable timepieces. Their brand maxim of performance, precision, and sturdiness has made them the brand of choice for experts in the diving and aviation spheres as well as those who live high-end lifestyles.

The Breitling Flying Fish Chronograph inspired by Herbert Nitsch

The dependability combined with the attractive design has made Breitling the official watch supplier of world aviation. Breitling is also one of the rare companies to produce its own mechanical chronograph movement, which is entirely developed and manufactured in their own workshops and is also one of the last remaining independent Swiss watch brands. As Breitling keeps its finger on the pulse of all things extreme; they sponsor an event called the Breitling Extreme 800 which is an 800 foot free dive in the ocean. Free diving involves diving underwater without the use of any external breathing devices or scuba gear. It is an extremely deep dive on a single breath of air and who better to attempt this amazing feat than the Breitling sponsored Herbert Nitsch?

Herbert Nitsch is an Austrian airline pilot and free-diver who is the current world record champion in free diving. Known as the “deepest man on earth,” he has achieved thirty two official world records to date. Nitsch who has been nicknamed “The Flying Fish,” has been a Breitling representative for years and has a watch named after him called the Chronomat 44 Flying Fish. Nitsch recently announced that he is preparing for the Breitling Extreme 800 in Greece which is an 800 foot free drive off of the isle of Santorini in the Aegean Sea. Nitsch plans on utilizing a “no-limit” sled to aid him in his ultra-deep dive.

Herbert Nitsch, Austrian pilot and free diver

He has documented his training efforts and videos of his progress can be seen online where he can be seen wearing Breitling watches. This is truly a testament to just how durable and dependable these premium timepieces are. Breitling reports that Nitsch’s highly successful trials have provided the opportunity to check the performance of the “torpedo sled” facilitating the champion’s descent and ascent, complete with its underfoot ballast system, as well as the overhead inflatable buoy for bringing the diver back to the surface – all on a single breath.

Nitsch states that he plans on attempting a 900 then his ultimate goal of a 1000 foot dive after the Breitling Extreme 800 which is to take place in the summer of 2012.

They displayed by closing the main airports in Amman and Beirut, as onlookers covered the surrounding rooftops, balconies and areas. At other locations they displayed over the coastline.

The Breitling Jet Team flies over Beirut, Lebanon.

Wherever they were, Breitling jet team members were honored by the warm reaction they received. They were also delighted to meet aviation colleagues from the Turkish Stars, the Hellenic Air Force and the Royal Jordanian Falcons.

First time flights on the tour included flights over the Golden Horn in Turkey, Tel Aviv beach in Israel, the Dead Sea in Jordan, the Cedar forests in Lebanon and the Acropolis in Greece.

The Breitling Jet team’s fleet of L-39C Albatros jet aircrafts will now go through a maintenance program for the 2012 season.

The Breitling Jet Team impressing an emotive audience in Lebanon.

Honoring 2011 Reno Air Races Breitling Redesigns Colt Watch Collection.

In honor of the Reno Air Races, Breitling redesigned their renowned sturdy Colt Watch Collection. The Reno Air Races have been held in Reno, Nevada for almost 50 years and Breitling was the event’s main sponsor this year. Each year thousands of air race enthusiasts gather for a five day event, to witness the most prestigious air races in the world. The pilots compete to win in various courses indicated by markers on the ground set by pylons.

To commemorate the Reno Air Races, Breitling recently unveiled their newly redesigned Colt luxury watches and a Reno Air Races multiplayer game made for the iPhone, iPad, iPod and any mobile devices that run on Android. This game allows players to take front seat in the Reno Air Races experience, by allowing the player to pit their plane against others in multiplayer mode or in solo mode. This game allows the player to feel and experience what the actual pilots feel and experience in the Reno Air Races.

Honoring 2011 Reno Air Races Breitling Redesigns Colt Watch Collection.

Breitling’s newly re-purposed Colt Watch series keeps the same feel, but gets a completely fresh look. These designer watches are famous for their resilience and precision. Breitling constructed these fantastic timepieces out of stainless steel and scratch resistant sapphire. Breitling adorned the round sturdy bezel with stamped numbers and added exclusively designed rounded numbers to the stunning dials. Designed for adventure, these sporty watches come equipped with an impressive water resistant feature of up to 500 meters, a SuperQuartz™ movement and a one comes with a chronograph. The SuperQuartz™ movement is chronometer-certified by the COSC (Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute).

The Colt 33 is a lady’s luxury watch distinguished by the 33mm dial, bejeweled bezel and delicate colors. These watches combine an ultra sporty flair with a chic design, from the polished round case with stamped numbers to the water resistant feature up to 500 meters.
Equipped with SuperQuartz™ movement, the Colt Chronograph II performs more accurately than ordinary quartz watches. The 44mm dial features two dub dials and a fast timezone-change system. This watch comes with a water resistant feature up to 300 meters.

Finally, the Colt 44 represents with distinguished screwed down stainless steel brushed case and bezel and a thick unblemished sapphire crystal. These sturdy features allow this watch to travel up to 500 meters into any body of water. Breitling also equipped the Colt 44 luxury watches with SuperQuartz™ movement.

Breitling's Beautiful Ladies Watch

Many of the Breitling creations of the past were large, technical instruments, with manly appeal, but Breitling has a softer side, as well.  Breitling has a well deserved reputation for building professional watches, equipped for nautical and aviation use.  They pay close attention to detail and produce some of the finest Swiss made timepieces around.  Today, I’d like to highlight a Breitling women’s watch.  The Breitling Colt Oceane women’s watch is among their Aeromarine series, and was originally part of Breitling’s professional diving watch collection.  This women’s version has cleaner lines and is less complex, yet has all of Breitling’s quality ingenuity built in.  It is a smaller model, and has feminine detailing.  This is a Quartz model, and offers versatility and reliability.  It comes with a black dial and scratch resistant sapphire crystal, which has been glare proofed on two sides.  The stainless-steel case has a screw down backing, and the steel bezel offers a screw down crown.  The watch face and bracelet are brushed finished, and the strap is fitted with a fold over clasp.  This is an entry level Breitling, and retails for right around $2,000.  Breitling has a proven track record of making quality watches.  This Breitling women’s watch will look great and perform for years to come.

Breitling Superocean Deep Diving Watch

Summer time means being at the beach and in the pool.  What better accessory for the water than a Breitling watch?  The Breitling Men’s Aeromarine Superocean Watch Collection is a tough and resilient line of men’s timepieces, which just happen to be super-stylish, as well.  The Aeromarine Superocean watches were first released in the 1950’s.  These precision instruments have gained respect as professional diving watches, for their quality and performance, but are sought after by non-professionals, as well.  These men’s watches offer an incredible water resistance in depths as deep as 5,000 feet!  These technologically advanced instruments are equipped with safety valves, which will allow for balanced pressure in and out of the case.  In deep watch conditions, this feature is crucial to the performance of the watch.  Of course, the Breitling Aeromarine Superocean watches would not be complete without luminescent hands and indicators, so Breitling has added these features to their Superocean line.  These men’s diving watches are full of exceptional function, and are handsomely addressed, too.  These timepieces come with brightly colored dials, of orange, blue, yellow, and white…as well as black and steel.  The straps are in either polished and brushed steel, or rubber.  Make your summer special, with a Breitling Aeromarine Superocean.

Breitling Women's Windrider

Breitling has been turning out high end precision Swiss watches since 1884.  They own a reputation of exceptional quality and innovative design.  These timepieces are true timekeeping instruments, which offer extreme functionality wrapped in bold and luxurious packages.  Although most of Breitling’s creations are reserved for men, they do have some really striking women’s watches, like the Windrider Starliner line.  These timepieces allow for all of Breitling’s ingenuity to shine through in a more feminine fashion.

The Breitling Windrider Starliner A7134053.K512.360A is one of their Swiss Quartz models.  Its stunning good looks start with the pink Mother-of-Pearl dial, which has been accented by brilliant round cut diamonds acting as the hour markers.  The bezel is crafted of polished steel and is also adorned with diamonds.  As with all Breitling’s this watch is fitted with a scratch resistant sapphire crystal and is water resistant to 330 feet.  The bracelet on this women’s watch is presented in a highly polished steel link, complete with locking fold over clasp.  The Windrider Starliner is all Swiss made and carries Breitling’s reputation for luxury watch making.  This is definitely a watch for the woman who knows what she wants.  It is commanding, and at the same time exudes a feminine aura.  You can’t go wrong with this watch…Breitlings’ are simply the best!

Breitling Watches, Authentic

Breitling watches are really exceptionally made.  Unlike many other quality watches, these timepieces are replicated.  A $5,000 authentic Breitling can be purchased, in replica for $49.00.  That’s just ridiculous.  If you know anything about Breilting, you know what they’re made of.  The Breitling name stands for precision and craftsmanship.  They have, after all been crafting these fine instruments for a very long time, since 1881, in fact, and they have earned a solid reputation.  They’re quality work and excellent quality has opened doors to an admirable relationship with pilots, around the world.  Leon Breitling had a clear vision of what he wanted to create…the best made quality chronographs on earth, and he succeeded.  The chronograph pocket watches that he developed in his early years are still some of the highest quality timepieces you can find.  Knowing a bit of the history of Breitling, and having an appreciation for the brilliant masters that have been involved in this work, should drive you away from Breitling replicas.  Stay true and purchase only authentic Bretiling watches, from Breitling or a reputable dealer.  It’s tempting to believe you can own a Breitling Navitimer for just $39.99, but it’s not realistic.  With Breitling, you’re not paying for the name, you’re purchasing a high quality, precision instrument…and a bit of history.