B-1 “Vulcan To The Sky”
A list of all known limited and special editions of the Breitling B-1
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As an official supplier of chronographs to many of the World's air squadrons and aerobatics team, Breitling produced a lot of special editions of the B-1 wristwatch bearing their logo on the dial, and sometimes with a customized engraving in the caseback. (Minimum order was around 50 pieces for the stainless steel version.)
Being a popular watch amongst pilots, and thanks to its relatively uncluttered dial (which can gracefully accomodate a logo), the B-1 was issued in many special editions: Vulcan, F14 Tomcat, F14 Felix, F/A-18, Red Arrows, F-35 Lightning II, B-2 Stealth, Harrier, RAF Pilot Wings, Royal Navy SHT, Typhoon Eurofighter, ETPS, United Arab Emirates, F-15 Eagle, F-16 Fighting Falcon, B-1B, U-2 Dragonlady, 28 Squadron, Sea Harrier, A-6 Intruder, A-10 Warthog, Asas de Portugal, Patrouille de France, Dassault first version, Dassault second version, U.S. Navy Adversary, KC-10A Extender, USAF Test Pilot School—and possibly others.
B-1 “Vulcan To The Sky”
The Vulcan To The Sky (Flash player mandatory) organization ordered a special issue B-1 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first flight of the Avro Vulcan jet bomber. The money raised was used for the restoration of the Vulcan to flying condition.
From the Vulcan To The Sky archive:
These watches have a Vulcan planform with the words "Avro Vulcan 50 years 1952–2002" on the face, and an engraved inscription on the back stating "Limited Edition n/50."
Please note that the base dial looks like an A78362 (it says CHRONOMÈTRE B-1
),
though the watch is an A68362.
B-1 “F14 Tomcat”
The B-1 “F14 Tomcat” Limited Edition commemorates VF-31, which is the last F14 squadron. The F14 is retiring from active U.S. Naval service in September 2006 and is being replaced by the F18 Super Hornet.
This custom watch was designed by the aviators in VF-31 while on their last deployment in F14s, in fall and winter 2005. About 60 such watches were made (but there is no engraved indication of the number, i.e. 01/60).
Thanks to lsojoe for the information and picture.
B-1 “F14 Tomcat” (photo credit: ClassicWatchCenter)
This version of the F14 B-1 does not have Felix the Cat on its dial.
More information is welcome.
B-1 “F/A-18” (Photo credit: John)
The B-1 “F/A-18” limited edition was produced for multiple F/A-18 U.S. Navy squadrons, hence the absence of a specific squadron logo on the dial.
Thanks to John (flyinghell34) for the information and picture!
B-1 “Red Arrows”
The Red Arrows are a UK-based military aerobatics team. Custom B-1s were produced for the commemoration of their 40th season. To signify the event, the Red Arrows re-adopted their original 7-jet crest from 1964, for the 2004 display season.
It is worth noting that the Red Arrows have their logo on several other limited edition Breitlings.
B-1 “F-35 Lightning” (Photo credit: MCP)
The F-35 Lightning II is a US/UK strike fighter. The Joint Strike Fighter Program Office ordered a custom B-1 for the maiden flight in 2006.
This watch is the first to feature the JSF F-35 Lighting II logo on the dial. It was only issued to the crew (mostly senior executives responsible for the planes development) and pilots of that new Lockheed Martin fighter.
This could be one of the very last production batches of B-1s, since it was discontinued shortly after.
B-1 “B-2 Stealth”
The Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit is a USAF stealth bomber. According to the paperwork, these watches were purchased by the squadron directly from Breitling. (The number of pieces produced is not engraved on the caseback.)
Thanks to Lance Rodgers of PreciousTime and Frank C. for all the valuable information!
B-1 “Joint Force Harrier”
This B-1 was commissioned to the pilots of the British RAF Joint Force Harrier.
Quoting Alasdair Blackwood:
Joint Force Harrier was one of the key initiatives announced in the Strategic Defence Review in 2000. It provided a force able to deploy from land and sea, be capable of precision attack of sea, land and air targets and be able to undertake timely reconnaissance. In addition, it was able to provide air escort of joint and allied assets.
Many thanks to Alasdair for the information and the picture!
B-1 “RAF Pilot Wings”
Many thanks to Andrew Michaels!
B-1 “Royal Navy Swordfish Heritage Trust”
Many thanks to Andrew Michaels and Kif!
B-1 “Typhoon Eurofighter”
Many thanks to Andrew Michaels!
B-1 “ETPS” (Photo credit: Stephen Turner)
In 2002, inspired by other limited edition B-1s, students from the Empire Test Pilot School arranged for the production of a small batch of ETPS watches. As the minimum order requirement of 25 pieces could not be reached at the time, it was decided to print the whole run of 25 dials, 11 of which were directly fitted into watches. They were ordered by U.K. and foreign students and staff.
The ETPS watches show the flight school logo and emblem on the dial, and do not have custom engravings on the back side.
Many thanks to Stephen Turner!
B-1 “United Arab Emirates” (photo EuroJewelery)
This is the model commissioned by the United Arab Emirates Army in 2005. For information, there also was an Aerospace with this special dial.
Many thanks to Lutz and Ob!
B-1 “F-15 Eagle”
The F15E limited edition was made for United States Air Force 492nd Fighter Squadron, also known as the “Madhatters”.
(Please note that AFAIK no paper or marking formally tells how many pieces were produced.)
Thanks to R. & M. Lee!
B-1 “F-16”
Many thanks to Gil Delgado!
B-1 “Asas de Portugal”
This special issue commemorates the 30 years of the Portuguese Air Force aerobatics team Asas de Portugal. This may have been the last B-1 special edition to be delivered by Breitling.
Many thanks to António Matos!
B-1 “B-1B”
This B-1 was commissioned by the B1-B pilots in small orders from around 2004 to 2007. It doesn't seem like this was a limited edition; several orders were placed, and eventually many crew members wore this watch. Since the discontinuation of the Breitling B-1, it seems like the B-1B logo is due to take place on the dial of a special series of Aerospace Avantage.
Thanks for the information.
B-1 “U-2”
The U-2 B-1s were delivered in May 2006 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Lockheed U-2 “Dragonlady”, a high-altitude surveillance aircraft which first flew in 1955, and whose motto is “Alone Unarmed and Unafraid”.
Thanks for the information and picture.
B-1 “28 Squadron” (Photo credit: DrtyBlvd)
The B-1 “28 Squadron” was produced to commemorate the reformation of 28 Squadron of the British Royal Air Force after their return from the Hong Kong colony in 1997. One piece was made for each squadron pilot, so the production was limited to 28. They operate the Merlin HC3 helicopter, which appears on the dial next to the Pegasus insigna.
Alternatively, here is a spare dial for the same watch.
Many thanks to Simon and Idan for the picture and information!
B-1 “Sea Harrier” (Photo credit: Matt Filer)
This special version was made for the decommissioning of the 899 Naval Air Squadron (Sea Harrier squadron) of the Royal Navy.
Thanks to Matt!
B-1 “A6 Intruder”
Many thanks to Marco R. for the information!
B-1 “A-10 Warthog” (Photo credit: Johnny Hamilton)
This watch shows a picture of the A-10 “Warthog”, a close air support jet. Pilots of the 25th Fighter Squadron originally placed an order for this watch in 2001.
According to Johnny Hamilton:
There supposedly was a second order placed 3-4 years later.
Thanks to R.H. and Johnny!
B-1 “Patrouille de France” (Photo credit: ocoq2)
More information about this watch would be much appreciated.
B-1 “Dassault”
More information about this watch would be much appreciated.
B-1 “Dassault”
More information about this watch would be much appreciated.
B-1 “U.S. Navy Adversary”
This watch was sold to VFC-13 Naval Adversary pilots. There are no numbers on the back side of the watch, but around 25 pieces were probably made. The watch face shows the wings and patch of VFC-13.
Thanks John H. for the heads-up!
B-1 “KC-10A Extender” (Photo credit: Christopher Hofrichter)
The B-1 KC-10 special edition was created under the impulse of
pilots in the 2nd Air Refueling Squadron of the U.S. Air Force.
A first order of 46 pieces was placed in 2004.
In response to its great success, an additional order of 27 pieces ensued in late 2005,
totaling 73 pieces in total.
On the dial, instead of the 9 o'clock marker is
the silhouette of a KC-10 air-to-air refueling tanker.
As of early 2012, the squadron is working on another order, this time using the Breitling Aerospace as a base model.
Thanks to Christopher for the information and picture!
B-1 “USAF TPS”
Thanks to Paul!
If you have more information or know a special edition B-1 that is not listed, as usual, feel free to contact me.