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brands, but he began searching for more and more Breitling pieces as he continued collecting.
He and his wife, Heather, a first officer for American Airlines, now own 12 Breitling watches. Their collection spans vintage and newer pieces and includes both aviation and non- aviation models. Christiaan explained that many facets make Breitling watches different from that of competing pilot watches.
“The Navitimer, for example, has a circular slide rule bezel that makes it possible to perform all the calculations required for flight planning and navigation: average speed, distance covered, fuel consumption, ascent and descent rates, and more,” said Christiaan. “It also has a chronograph function and a practical beaded bezel that allows for easier manipulation in the often-challenging circumstances a pilot may encounter in-flight. ”
The watch’s functionality has been thoroughly tested in military cockpits during combat, orbiting space shuttle modules, and of course, behind the yokes of an array of general aviation aircraft. Regardless of the time and place, the Swiss-made watches have been a popular choice with pilots in part due to their evergreen involvement with flight. This is one thing that Christiaan aims to help showcase through his efforts. In addition to moderating “Breitling Owners 1884,” an enthusiast forum on Facebook and Instagram, he has been an aviation liaison for the brand since 2019. In this position, he helps guide the company in continuing to create events and partnerships that fellow aviators will enjoy.
Historically, Breitling has sponsored a number of different jet demonstration teams that perform at airshows across the United States and Europe. This long-standing aerial marketing tradition has helped bolster the company’s identity with pilots and aviation enthusiasts alike. Today, they still sponsor several teams, although they have incorporated new elements into their continually evolving strategy. Another key partnership is Breitling’s sponsorship of the High-Sierra Fly-In, which took place in October.
The event, which celebrated its eleventh year in 2021, hosts thousands of people for a weekend of backcountry flying in the picturesque northern Nevada desert. These and other efforts’ successes tell of the brand’s lasting dedication to pilots and aviation enthusiasts. That said, events and partnerships are not the only evolution that the team is focusing on. As has been the case since 1884, the timepieces themselves have been Breitling’s primary focus. Whether it is the design or operation, the watchmaker is entirely focused on bringing highly competitive products to market. Under Georges Kern’s stewardship that began in 2017, the 138-year-old brand has increasingly focused on designing watches with a modern/retro twist in mind.
Following this framework, the Super AVI collection has been wildly popular since its release in November. This set incorporates elements from four fighters that helped to swing the needle in the Allies’ favor during the Second World War. The five chronometers honor “four powerful and memorable aircraft, whose filigree silhouettes adorn the watches’ sapphire case backs.” The featured models are
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