Breitling Cockpit B50: The New Benchmark For Pilots

Breitling once again establishes itself as the partner of aviation by launching a new multifunction electronic chronograph equipped with an “in-house” analog and digital-display caliber – a brand-exclusive development. Designed to accompany aviators in all their missions, this Cockpit B50 innovates through its broad range of functions, its user friendliness as well as its ultra-legible display mode.

Equipped with a sturdy and light case in natural or black carbon-coated titanium, the Cockpit B50 chronograph flaunts a resolutely technical, powerful and masculine appearance – making it the archetypal authentic Breitling “Instrument for professionals”. It is however distinguished first and foremost by the performances and the functionality of its exclusive new Breitling Caliber B50: a SuperQuartz™ movement ten times more accurate than standard quartz and chronometer-certified by the COSC (Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute), the highest benchmark in terms of reliability and precision.

Breitling Cockpit B50

Innovative functions

Designed for professionals, with a strong focus on aviators, the Cockpit B50 combines all the functions most useful in undertaking the most extreme missions. In addition to the chronograph with split-time and flyback capabilities, it notably features a second timezone display, a perpetual calendar, two alarms in buzzer and/or vibrate mode, a lap timer function as well as a countdown complete with alarm.

Breitling has also equipped it with innovative functions such as an electronic tachometer, a countdown/countup system serving to switch directly from a countdown to a timing operation, as well as an eminently aviation-style “chrono flight” device which is useful for recording flight times by memorizing departure and arrival times as well as the date.

Another special feature is its use of UTC (Coordinated Universal Time, the aviation reference time) as the time base, which enables the Cockpit B50 to ensure smooth juggling with timezones. The swap function can also be used to do switch between the time displayed by the hands and that of the second timezone shown on the screen, simply by pressing a pushpiece, with the system automatically taking account of a potential date change.

Simple and logical use

To facilitate the handling of its multiple functions, the Cockpit B50 is equipped with a particularly simple, logical and consistent control system, featuring function-selection via crown rotation and activation/deactivation by two pushpieces. This impeccable user friendliness is reinforced by the interface messages appearing on the screens and guiding the user through the various operations. In addition to “pilot” mode, the movement also offers a “sport” mode that temporarily reduces the number of functions available. A double press on the crown momentarily “parks” the hands so as to provide a clear view of both screens.

Ultra-readable displays

The Cockpit B50 also innovates with its digital displays guaranteeing optimal visibility in all circumstances. The two white-on-black liquid crystal (LCD) screens are equipped with a backlighting system that can be activated at a press on the crown. This high-tech device makes the indications stand out by day or night with the utmost luminosity and clarity. A true instrument panel on the wrist.

A dedicated ‘tilt’ function automatically activates the backlighting when the user bends his wrist by more than 35° – an extremely practical system when at the controls of a plane or the wheel of a car. In another striking new feature, the digits are oversized and the 12 o’clock screen comprises 7 digits of 14 segments each, enabling a full display of all letters in the alphabet and thus enhanced interactivity.

A rechargeable battery

To provide the energy required for this high-performance lighting, Breitling has developed an innovative miniaturized rechargeable battery system. Recharging may be done via the electricity grid or through a USB port on a computer. Safety is reinforced by various state-of-discharge alert levels, including stuttering and stopping of the central chronograph seconds hand, as well as a “standby” mode by means of which the apparently inactive movement nonetheless maintains its temporal reference in order to be correctly restarted on demand without any need for adjustments.

Cockpit B50 Specs