Simply Abu Dhabi Magazine XXV

1 1 6 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I T he Swiss watch pioneer Breitling is world-renowned for making ultra-high quality watches of remarkable precision, including some of the most reliable aviator watches money can buy. British car manufacturer Bentley is equally lauded in the world of automobiles, the Bentley brand being synonymous with refined luxury and formidable power. An alliance of these two giants can only yield wonderful things. The partnership has resulted in a line of desirable timepieces since 2003, but with the recent launch of the Breitling for Bentley Supersports B55, we get a world-first with a new connectedmovement. Breitling is master at creating watch movements and almost peerless in the field of chronographs and technical watches, and one a few select watchmakers with their own mechanical movement, developed and manufactured exclusively under its own roof. Every watch Breitling produces is chronometer-certified by the COSC (Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute) – mightily impressive for a family business and one of the last remaining independent Swiss watch brands. The new limited-edition chronograph, designed to celebrate the new Bentley Continental Supersports, has seized the attention of the watch world with its connected movement armed with functions dedicated to motorsports. Featuring a titanium case and a carbon dial, the Bentley Supersports B55 is another landmark on the luxury watch scene. The watch is, of course, a full-fledged chronograph, with the addition of a smartphone connection for enhanced functionality and the option of storing or transmitting data. Aed Adwan of Breitling Middle East spoke of the model’s arrival in the region saying, “The Bentley Supersports B55 immediately stands out with its resolutely sporty appearance, with a sturdy and light titanium case framing a dial in carbon fibre – a favourite material in the motorsports arena and featured in many details of the new Bentley Continental Supersports. We hope our Middle East customers who are passionate about both motorsport and horology will appreciate the innovation and design features of this model.” The watch is powered by the calibre B55, with Thermocompensated SuperQuartz™ plus an analogue and digital 12/24-hour LC backlit display. The calibre features three types of exclusive chronograph functions. Firstly, the chrono rally function serves to record up to 30 stages, complete with the departure date of the rally, start time and duration of each stage as well as intermediate times for each stage, while adding in any penalties incurred. Secondly, the chrono race function designed for track races enables the user to record the split times for each lap and calculate the average speed per lap. Thirdly, the regularity rally function allows users to predefine target times or intermediate times out of a total time, and check at the press of a button if they have met their goals. It’s a stunning piece from two brands that share a solid and coherent identity founded on tradition and married with performance, prestige and technical innovation. Every curve, every straight line, every edge and every surface – all are meticulously fashioned with a concern for two great traditions: that of handcrafting luxury Swiss watches and that of handcrafting luxury British cars. Bentley states, “The art of handmade British carmaking and the tradition of great Swiss watchmaking have much in common. Indeed, it could be said that Breitling’s timepieces embody the same sense of beauty in motion as Bentley’s cars. From the Bentley factory in Crewe to the Breitling Chronométrie in La Chaux-de-Fonds, there stretches an invisible connection; a common appreciation of mechanical perfection.” Breitling for Bentley Supersports B55 is issued in a 500-piece worldwide edition, with 40 models dedicated to the Middle East. Breitling for Bentley Supersports B55