Purchased used in 2016, but built in 2006, my Breitling Chronometre B-1 was the last of the ‘B-1’ model range. The later model B-1s houses certified chronometer quartz (cal. B78) which means a max time variation of 0.07 seconds per day, which is around 2 seconds a month! The movement is also thermo-compensated, regulating the timekeeping based on the temperature of the movement. This watch was also commissioned for many different air force events, from restoration of an Avro Vulcan to the maiden flight of the F-35 and of course, its namesake the B-1 flight crew.

A circular slide rule surrounds the dial with features on the dial that smoothly turn with the unidirectional bezel. At the center, is the Breitling B-1’s most distinguishing feature; the twin LCD displays which open up a myriad of functions that are operated from the crown.

The functions include local time, two alarms, day/date display, second timezone, UTC time, chronograph, countdown timer and a blank display. Pushing the crown in also activates the backlight of the LCD which glows green and terminates automatically after a few seconds. To a recreational pilot like myself, most of the functions go un-utilized. Flying piston aircraft in a single timezone, I mainly have the chronograph function selected rather than any other feature as the seconds hand stay stationary at the 12 o’clock position on the dial.

The Breitling Chronometre B-1 is 43.2mm in diameter and 16.5mm thick, it definitely is not a small piece. I consider it the maximum size for my 7-inch wrists and would definitely recommend anyone interested in picking one up try it on first. The majority of the watch and bracelet are polished steel with brushed accents, scratches will show up on the bracelet – even when careful. The total weight of the watch and bracelet comes out to be around 180 grams, making me switch out the bracelet for a leather strap for more comfort when wearing it in the hot climate of Thailand. The caseback is modeled after a turbine, which also doubles as an echo chamber amplifying the sound of the alarm.

Any worries about build quality is a non-issue. The Breitling B-1 is robust, the bezel turns smoothly with no play, the crown clicks rigidly when you pull it out, the pushers have a satisfying click to them and the seconds hand ticks on the marks perfectly. Everything lines up and is exactly the quality you would expect from Breitling.

Now, after owning the Breitling B-1 for 6 years, it is still a regular in my watch rotation. It is a stunner to look at and never has once let me down. If you are a prospective buyer of this model, keep in mind the service considerations of a more complex quartz piece as opposed to a mechanical watch. The LCDs do go bad and that is not the most economical fix (although mine is still going strong after 15 years) and the movement will have to be replaced rather than serviced if god forbid, any of the electronic components go bad.

That being said, the thought of selling my Breitling Chronometre B-1 has not once crossed my mind. I intend to keep this piece running for as long as possible and in my regular rotation because there is no other watch like a Breitling ana-digi piece.