Skip to main content

The Manual Wind: Breitling Emergency II Now Available in the U.S.

manual wind breitling emergency ii
Breitling_Emergency-II_antenna_560When you think watch technology what comes to mind is reduced friction, smaller parts, exotic, materials, and thinner watches.  One brand that embraced a more traditional definition of technology is Breitling.  In 1995, Brieitling introduced a true pilots companion; the Breitling Emergency.  A multifunction quartz watch in Titainum, the piece had an added element of safety never seen before.  Inside this layered movement was an S.O.S. transmitting antenna that once engaged acted as another line of emergency communication. Breitling_Emergency-II_Intrepid-Orange-dial_side_560When this frequency transmitted, if heard, help was on the way.

Having helped rescue many wearers of the watch, Breitling decided it was time for an upgrade.  The Breitling Emergency II is the first timepiece to have a dual frequency locator beacon.  Where the original Emergency transmitted at 121.5 Mhz; the international air distress frequency. The Emergency II, with microtechnology designed in conjunction with the Breitling_Emergency-II_exploded_560aerospace industry, now also offers an antenna transmitting at 406Mhz.  This is a digital signal reaching out to the international Cospas-Sarsat system which integrates with a series of satellites for more accurate signal positioning.  This lifesaving timepiece was able to meet all of the stringent requirements of the Cospas-Sarsat system including being able to transmit for 24 hours and in extreme temperatures. Although this piece was announced to the world in 2013, with has taken until now to gain the right to be sold in the United States.  Due its size, much smaller than other beacons, the FCC had to be convinced that the device could work properly and accurately in tough conditions.

Related Videos

Made out of aerospace grade light weight Titanium, this monster of a timepiece is offered with both a rubber strap and metal bracelet.  Multiple dial colors include black, yellow, and orange.  With its multifunction display and analog hands, the time is always available even while using one of the numerous pilot inspired movement functions.

This kind of added safety for the adventurer does not come cheap though.  The original Breitling Emergency was attainable for every pilot at a roughly $7,000 price tag.  This state of the art life saver on your wrist will set you back $15,750.  Pricy for a quartz timepiece yet reasonable for the added sense of safety.   Don’t dare pull a false alarm!

Editors' Recommendations

How to wear green on St. Patrick’s Day — style tips you need to look your best
Your St. Patrick's Day style guide
style tips for holiday party outfits green and tan

St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland, kidnapped and brought to the island as an enslaved person at 16. He eventually escaped but returned later and is believed to have brought Christianity with him. One thousand years later, he is still celebrated on St. Patrick's Day, the accepted date of his death, March 17. And how do we celebrate it? By wearing the color green on St. Patrick's Day, of course. Wearing the color symbolizes the patriotism of the entire island.

Now, whether you are Irish or not, you can show your support for the island by donning green on St. Patty's Day. However, that doesn't mean you have to go all out and look like you jumped right off the box of Lucky Charms. Here are a few tips to help you celebrate the patron saint of Ireland without sacrificing looking fantastic.

Read more
Freezing jeans shouldn’t really be a thing — here’s why
Why you should stop putting your jeans in the freezer

Recently, I reached into a friend’s freezer for an ice sphere and came across a pair of neatly folded jeans. This sight took me by surprise not because it was unusual, but because the practice felt so dated. For those that might not have heard of the practice, the idea behind freezing your best jeans is that freezing denim kills bacteria from well-worn jeans without actually having to wash them and affect the fade or overall integrity of the denim.

When did freezing jeans become a thing?
Jeans have been around since 1871. These popular pants were invented by Jacob W. Davis and patented by Davis and Levi Strauss. Though people have anecdotally frozen their denim for years, more as an odor-removing process than anything else, Levi Strauss actually pushed this practice into the mainstream in 2011. In 2014, Levi Strauss' CEO Chip Bergh repeated longstanding advice from the jean company; don't wash your jeans, freeze them instead. Bergh's reminder was more of a conservation effort to get people to freeze their jeans to stretch out the time between washes.

Read more
These 4 men made the Oscars more stylish with the best looks of the night
Here are the best looks from the 2023 Academy Awards
Harry Shum Jr. standing with James Hong wearing an eastern inspired tuxedo

Just like the Super Bowl has the halftime show, anticipated commercials, and other events to add to the event, the Oscars has the red carpet and the after-party. While we look forward to seeing the winners of the year's best in film and listening to their speeches, we first watch them arrive and walk the red carpet to show off some of the year's best looks from the biggest stars and most prominent designers.

From the casual look of Pharrell Williams in his 2019 camo jacket and shorts to the classic, clean-cut looks of stars like Michael Caine and George Clooney, you can find some of the most influential people showcasing the best looks of the year. The 95th Academy Awards were no different. Here are the best looks from the red carpet that made the men the talk of the night.

Read more