Lot 7
Estimate: £800 - £1,200
Auction: 21 November 2024 from 14:00 GMT
Quartz movement, grey/blue dial with white numerals and luminous quarters, outer raised luminous batons, apertures for LCD display, baton hands, titanium case with reverse secured by 4 screws, emergency beacon antennas secured by two screw-down caps, rotatable bezel calibrated to 360 degrees with cardinal points, on titanium Breitling bracelet with extension links, folding locking buckle. Accompanied by the original Breitling briefcase, large operation instructions, operation booklet, VHS tape instructions, beacon test receiver, screwdriver, numbered Breitling warranty dated 31/07/1999, original sales receipt from Airbijoux, Geneve, signed Emergency ‘Conditions of Sales’ statement and various Breitling service receipts for 2000, spare link.
Diameter 43mm, approx. inner bracelet diameter 190mm.
Purchased new by the consignor in 1999 for use while working as a flight attendant in Asia, the watch provided safety reassurance considering his numerous hours spent on a plane. The owner has retained all accumulated paperwork related to the watch since he purchased in new in 1999, discounted with proof he worked in aviation, for CHF4,394.
Released in 1995, the Emergency was the world's first wristwatch to feature an integral beacon that transmitted on the international distress frequency of 121.5Mhz. With the transmission receivable up to 167km away, initially, the watch was only available to licensed pilots, however later versions could be purchased provided a contract was signed stating the transmitter could only be activated during clear situations of distress exclusively during aeronautical activities, a penalty fee would be due for misuse. As a one-time only beacon, if used in a genuine emergency, Breitling would replace the watch without charge. In 2009, the 121.5Mhz frequency was being phased out as the primary distress frequency for international search and rescue and in 2010, Breitling discontinued the original version. The model remains an iconic, historically interesting example of modern innovation in watches built for purpose.