Breitlings inhouse movements

[cruvon]

Came across some info on Breitlings inhouse movements and thought will post it here. For those looking for watches with non ETA inhouse movements, you now know which ones to look out for.:)

The Breitling seal of confidence


Breitling provides powerful confirmation of the exceptional reliability of its "Manufacture" movements by offering an exceptional five-year warranty on all models equipped with these calibers.

In 2009, Breitling took its place within the exclusive circle of watch companies with their own mechanical chronograph movement. Not only was the development of this Caliber 01 intended to ensure the brand's long-term independence, but as a specialist of chronographs and instruments for professionals, Breitling also set itself the goal of making the world's best chronograph movement. Best in terms of performance, reliability and functionality. With this in mind, the firm put in place an avant-garde industrial facility and in-house competencies enabling it to produce its movements according to its own high standards, while ensuring maximum reliability on a large scale – around 40,000 movements in 2011. Caliber 01, which is chronometer-certified like all the brand's movements, currently powers several of Breitling's star models, including the Chronomat, the Navitimer, the Montbrillant and the Transocean. The firm's engineers have also used it as the basis for creating several innovative movements featuring functions that are both useful and user-friendly, such as Caliber 04 with its highly ingenious second timezone system, and the brand-new worldtimer Caliber 05. To confirm the exceptional reliability of these in-house movements, Breitling has decided to introduce an exclusive five-year warranty on all models equipped with its Manufacture calibers – meaning around half its range of mechanical chronographs. This move represents an exceptional measure at this level of production, and a powerful seal of confidence for all users of Breitling wrist instruments.

http://www.breitling.com/en/news/ind...dContent=64938


and some history here on the creation of the B01 here

Breitling Calibre 01 – A History



It seems amazing to most watch fans that a brand as technically astute as Breitling has never had, up until the Calibre 01, its very own in-house movement. I guess this was because they didn’t need to create their own movement. Breitling, along with their loyal following, was justifiably comfortable simply having a wonderful cross-section of tool watches, each with its own Chronometer rated movement. These movements were mostly ETA ebauches that have been largely re-worked by Breitling to allow them to be the only watch brand in the world to have every single one of their movements to be tested and passed by the COSC.

However, these movements that were out-sourced were coming more scarce with each passing year, especially chronograph movements, as large conglomerates bought up movement houses and seriously restricted availability to those not under their corporate wings. Something had to change for the brand that is synonymous with the Chronograph wrist watch.

In 2004 Breitling made a bold and courageous decision to change all of this: They decided to make their own in-house movement. This requires that the component fabrication and manufacturing are all performed under their own roof and, any brand achieving this, can subsequently call themselves a manufacture. Despite the movement shortage this is still a rarity and carries with it great respect and admiration. Becoming a manufacture is no small undertaking and commands considerable for-thought, technical know-how and financial commitment. It took the next five years for Breitling’s admirable aspirations to come to fruition.

Not content with simply creating an in-house movement, Breitling set themselves the goal of creating a brand new movement that was very user friendly, accurate, could be manufactured in high volumes and could have further, or alternative, functions added. The other criteria for this new movement would be an automatically winding chronograph with a date function.


Following these “headline” specifics other requirements could be established, such as the maximum diameter and thickness, the power reserve and the display layout.

Many employees at Breitling could influence this new movement. This included the design engineers, watch makers, staff at Chronometrie (Breitling’s manufacturing facilities) and, even, the after sales service managers. The ultimate goal for this new movement was reliability and efficiency of manufacture, rather than simply for the sake of claiming to have your own movement. Therefore, blue sky thinking was encouraged but traditional manufacturing and design principles were just as important.

Towards the end of 2004 a Research and Development team was created. They resided in their own offices where all work was shrouded in secrecy. To help with this subterfuge they were given the name PFI (Professional Flight Instruments), a meaningless acronym to the uninitiated.

The team was split into three separate entities all with their own part of the movement to concentrate on. All three teams were included in any decision making. Within a year the first design of the movement structure was complete. Component suppliers were selected and confidentiality agreements were signed. Each supplier was told that they must produce the components using tools and equipment used for high volume manufacture. This would give greater confidence in the reliability of the final components that were to be mass produced by Breitling themselves. Delivery of these components started at the end of 2005 through to the beginning of 2006

For the rest of 2006 the team concentrated on producing many movements. Normally, in this situation a company would only produce one or two prototype movements for initial testing. Yet again, Breitling was pro-active and created around 50 movements so that it could have early faith in the reliability of the movement once volume production began. These movements were subjected to all manner of tests for accuracy, sturdiness, resistance to temperature variations, aging, magnetic fields and general ease of use.


At the end of 2006 a few of these movements were sent to the COSC for testing. They all passed with ease and considerable margins.

At the beginning of 2007 the Research and Development department had succeeded in their mandate from Breitling. They were now called “Breitling Technology SA”. The previous two years of their work had been mainly taken up with trying to come up with solutions for the various aspects of the movement where the least number of components were used. Efficiency had always been a key word. Mission accomplished. They had created a brand new reliable, sturdy, efficiently manufactured movement with some unique and useful features.

For the best accuracy and reliability a column wheel is used for the chronograph.

For the coupling system between chronograph and time mechanisms a vertical clutch is used. This allows immediate triggering of the chronograph without any risk of the hand jumping. The seconds, minutes and hours all work from the same “kinematic chain” to reduce the discrepancies between the various displays. This is opposed to the usual system whereby the hour counter mechanism is separate.

A patent was filed for a new auto-centering system for the chronograph reset hammers. This removes the need for “touch up” or individual adjustment normally required for each movement by the watch maker. Yet another step towards increased reliability and ease of manufacture.
The rate of the watch can also easily be adjusted, if required, once the movement has settled to the wearer. This is achieved using an exclusive index regulating system. Microscopic visual reference indexes are provided to allow the watchmaker to achieve incredible accuracy when adjusting the timing screw.



The Calibre 01 has been designed with a 70 hour power reserve. The standard is usually about 40 to 45 hours. This considerable increase not only facilitates ease of use for the owner but also greater accuracy for longer when the mainspring is winding down. The main spring, which powers the movement, is wound using a bi-directional rotor mounted on ball bearings.


Another wonderful and unique feature is the date adjustment. Normally this should not be performed manually between the hours of 8 O’clock in the evening and 3 O’clock in the morning. This is because the date changing gear is engaged during this period. Normally this would not stop the date function from working but may move the time that the date increments. Breitling’s Calibre 01 is designed so that this is no longer a true concern or fear. The instant date change can be made at any time. Another incredibly useful feature for the user and, to a lesser degree, the service department. Further designs have also been implemented which protect the chronograph mechanism from such user errors as trying to reset the chronograph whilst it is still running, as an example.

The Calibre 01 is modular in design. This allows easy maintenance of the movement because the main spring, for example, can be easily accessed by simply removing the two screws which hold the chronograph in place between two bridges. Normally the entire chronograph mechanism would require dismantling. This modular construction will also allow easier integration of future functions.


All of this technical brilliance and the Calibre 01 has still remained a very aesthetically appealing movement. There are no superfluous finishing elements to the movement. This would not befit a movement of this nature. However, wherever finishing touches have been applied (Cotes de Geneve, snailing, stippling, circular graining and diamond polished bevels) the various components have been finished to a very high quality. It seems a shame that the first Breitling watch to incorporate the new movement, the B01, had a solid case back. However, limited edition versions of the B01, Navitimer, MontBrillant and TransOcean have all been produced with sapphire exhibition case backs to allow the owner this wonderful view.



After the movement had been designed and proven the important aspect of the manufacturing processes had to be established. Breitling didn’t want to simply parade a few prototype models around trade shows years before being able to produce a small number of watches with the idea of ramping production if required. They wanted to hit the ground running.

Industrialisation methods were researched, whether they were used in watch manufacturing or not. The main inspiration for the assembly process came from a revolutionary and high-tech medicine manufacturing plant. Each movement is traced and directed through assembly using highly sophisticated and adapted software. This automatically directs the movement to the next station, be it a manual or automated procedure.

At the end of 2007 the different entities that had been involved in creating the assembly processes all came together under the same roof, Chronometrie 2. This new building sits next to the original Chronometrie.

In the Spring of 2008 Breitling started to install all of the high volume manufacturing equipment required to begin mass production. At the very same time all of the numerous, different and incredibly small components started to arrive. In July Breitling was finally able to initiate its very efficient, clean and clever assembly process for its very first in-house movement.


By the end of 2008 high volume production of the Calibre 01 was running successfully.

Finally, in 2009, and over 5 years since the decision was first made to make its very own in-house movement, Breitling’s Calibre 01 movement was launched to the public in the brand new B01.

http://www.andrewmichaels.co.uk/blog...-01-a-history/

[Ramiks]

excellent reading thanks for sharing

[brkanand]

A big thanks for posting this informative article. Contents make great impact on potential buyers of this brand.

[cruvon]

Originally Posted by Ramiks

excellent reading thanks for sharing

Originally Posted by brkanand

A big thanks for posting this informative article. Contents make great impact on potential buyers of this brand.

Cheers Ramiks, brkanand!

[The GMT Master]

A wonderful read and insight into the design process

[MCV]

Nice job, thanks!

-Marc

[The Joker]

Thanks, looks beautiful throught the caseback.

[mrbill2mrbill2]

Thanks for the good read.

[cruvon]

Originally Posted by The GMT Master

A wonderful read and insight into the design process

Originally Posted by MCV

Nice job, thanks!

-Marc

Originally Posted by The Joker

Thanks, looks beautiful throught the caseback.

Originally Posted by mrbill2mrbill2

Thanks for the good read.

Glad you'll liked it Chris, Marc, Wes, Mr.Bill, is surely interesting reading!:)

[Reese's TimePieces]

I know I have one in my collection!

[cruvon]

Originally Posted by Reese's TimePieces

I know I have one in my collection!

Congrats, that looks beautiful and has a nice vintage feel, which movement does that sport, Caliber 05 mentioned above? Can we please see some wristshots?

[Reese's TimePieces]

Originally Posted by cruvon

Congrats, that looks beautiful and has a nice vintage feel, which movement does that sport, Caliber 05 mentioned above? Can we please see some wristshots?

Thank you! It has Breitling Caliber 05 with world timer.

Here are some wristshots:

[cruvon]

Originally Posted by Reese's TimePieces

Thank you! It has Breitling Caliber 05 with world timer.

Here are some wristshots:

Congrats again, the combo of inhouse + vintage character makes it timeless, looks great!

[cruvon]

Originally Posted by Reese's TimePieces

Thank you! It has Breitling Caliber 05 with world timer.

Here are some wristshots:

Congrats again, the combo of inhouse + vintage character makes it timeless, looks great! What does the caseback look like?