Smartwatches have been around for nearly half a decade. Samsung’s Gear S, Google’s Motorola 360 fuelled the trend nearly 2-3 years back. In last 6 months, a dozen android-wear watches were launched by various top tech players. The swiss watch industry has been closely observing this trend. Why should the swiss watch industry be concerned? Several decades back, a similar surging trend burnt businesses for several swiss mechanical watch makers. When quartz watches were introduced, a large number of mechanical watch makers were badly hit because they refused to acknowledge the convenience of a battery operated watch and its growing popularity. Today majority of the watches exported from Switzerland are powered by Quartz.
This time around, swiss watch makers are being cautious. They do not want to ignore any trend that might remotely challenge or jeopardise their current share or existence, in the watch market.
At Baselwolrd 2015, it was refreshing to see a few swiss watch companies, including some dominant names, make an effort to gracefully brace the new trend of smartwatches and make space for them in their product portfolios. One of them is Breitling. Breitling hasn’t really made a ‘smartwatch’ but it has built a ‘connected watch’. Here, the phone (application) is an extension of the watch. The watch is not an accessory for the phone.
“Putting the smartphone in the service of the watch” that’s how Breitling, prefers to describe the concept behind Breitling B55, its new watch that can connect to a smartphone. Why? So that you don’t mistake it to be a smartwatch, just because it can connect to a smartphone!
Breitling (smartwatch) B55 is essentially a pure Breitling swiss made watch. What’s new is the use of an advanced Breitling movement – B50, that allows a smartphone to connect with the Breitling watch and relay data, like flight times, laps, swap time zone, set alarm etc. Breitling smartwatch connects with the smartphone, via bluetooth. Breitling B50 movement was developed in 2014.
I spent some quality time with the smartwatch, Breitling B55, at Baselworld and found it to be an apt example of mobile phone technology meets swiss watch. Breitling B55 does not aspire to be a functional clone of other smartwatches that can tell you steps walked and calories lost. This Breitling smartwatch is still a pure pilots watch with the good old Breitling DNA. What’s new is that a lot of its functions can now be controlled via a smartphone application. User can record flight data in the application for future reference.
Now, about the hardware. Bretiling smartwatch B55 is by far the most good looking smartwatch or connectable watch, ever built. It isn’t anywhere close to the built of a Breitling Bentley watch or Breitling Avenger or Navitimer, but Breitling B55 still exudes swiss-watch aura. The Breitling B55 Connected is distinguished by its ultra-technical look, based on a titanium case with black carbon-based coating and a dial adorned with a blue wireless symbol. This original blue and black theme continues on the sturdy rubber strap. Every inch of the watch, including its blue rubber strap is built with Breitling perfection.
Breitling B55 can be controlled from its crown, the usual way. On the opposite side of the crown is a magnetic charging point. Wait, did I mention Breitling smartwatch is water resistant to 100 meters!
Currently, Breitling B55 watch application is only made for the iOS, however it will soon be ready for Android, too. Breitling smartwatch is expected to be available in stores, by end of 2015.
