It dawned on me the other day when I was searching through my old articles on our very own reviews section…
Blog | Andrew Michaels Jewellers
…that all of the Breitling Limited Edition logo watches that I had presented were of the Superquartz variety. These were, namely, the Chronospace Jet Team (Breitling release), Emergency Red Arrows and Aerospace Vulcan.
Breitling Emergency – A Review – E7632110 | Andrew Michaels Jewellers
AMJs Limited Edition Vulcan Aerospace – E7936210 | Andrew Michaels Jewellers
This gives the incorrect impression that the Limited Edition logo watches that we produce are only Superquartz driven. This would make sense in a way because the military personnel who order these unique and small numbered limited editions tend towards the high accuracy, multi-functional tool watches that Breitling offer. These are more desirable attributes to these professionals than the charm and character of a mechanical movement that are necessary for the horologist, of which I am assuming you are if you are taking the time to read this.
To re-address this balance I would like to introduce you to some of the wonderful and covetable mechanical Limited Edition Breitlings that Andrew Michaels Jewellers have helped to produce.
First of all is the SuperOcean Sea King, produced to celebrate the heroes of the Search and Rescue division of the Royal Navy who use the Westland WS-61 Sea King as their transport.
Only 50 of these limited editions were ever produced and each is individually numbered on the caseback.
The dial utilises the standard sunburst blue background with the added detail of the Search and Rescue logo and outline of the Sea King.
The SuperOcean 1500 was always a fabulous watch and is totally befitting for this celebration timepiece.
Maintaining the SuperOcean 1500 theme Andrew Michaels presented this collection of Limited Edition watches in honour of the brave volunteers of the RNLI. Only 40 of these were ever made. Again the Limited Edition number is clearly displayed on the caseback. For this model the plain blue dial was chosen with a discrete RNLI logo.
Moving away from the SuperOcean 1500, but staying with the divers theme, we have the Steelfish Royal Marines Limited Edition. The Steelfish is now discontinued and much lamented by Breitling fans and watch collectors in general. This Limited Edition is subtly revised to have the logo on the dial and the exquisite caseback LASER etching depicting the emblem and the Limited Edition Number. Only 150 examples of this watch were ever produced.
One of my favourite Limited Editions that Andrew Michaels has produced in the past is the Chronomat Evolution Red Arrows 40th Anniversary Limited Edition. Only 40 of these superb watches were made to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Red Arrows in 2005. The Red Arrows are revered on a global basis, and rightly so. However, they have a special meaning to myself because their base, RAF Scampton, is based just 15 miles from my home and they regularly fly right over my village when they are practicing their incredible displays. This Limited Edition removes almost all recognition to Breitling, with just a simple name stamp in the bottom subdial, although this flagship model will always be instantly recognisable as a Breitling The rest is all Red Arrows with the emblem on the front and the 40th Anniversary emblem LASER etched on the back. Also on the caseback is the Limited Edition designation. This special example of a special Limited Edition is number 40 of 40 made. This has to be the ultimate collector’s timepiece.
This is an example of the certificate that the lucky 40 owners received with their watches. Each one was individually signed by the Red Arrows crew of that time.
This isn’t the first time that the Chronomat has been used to celebrate the Red Arrows, as can be seen by this red dialled Limited Edition Chronomat which was produced as a Limited Edition of only 12 in 1996. As can be seen on the caseback of this example: this watch was created for Sqn Ldr Mike Williams (Red 10).
The technically excellent original 3000m Titanium Seawolf has also been cleverly utilised for some of our Limited Editions. Highlighted below are the Para Limited Edition, of which only 150 examples were made, and the Special Forces Support Group Limited Edition, of which only 55 examples were ever made. These two examples benefit from different dials and LASER etched Limited Edition numbers on the caseback. Personally, I prefer the SFSG example because it retains the original script on the dial that highlights the incredible 3000m water resistance.
Special Forces Support Group Seawolf:
Para Seawolf:
Staying with the 3000m Seawolf, the current stainless steel version has recently been utilised. Once again for the Paras and also for the Felix IED Bomb Disposal heroes and the Ark Royal. The Para example is Limited to just 50 examples, the Felix 77 examples and the Ark Royal 50 examples. Each have their own unique dial and LASER etched limited number on the caseback.
Seawolf Para Limited Edition:
Seawolf Ark Royal Limited Edition:
Sadly, the Felix watches were all sold immediately to the incredible IED Bomb Disposal Guys and Girls so I was unable to photograph an example and have only a poster to present here.
Much, much sadder than this: One of the Lady Bomb Disposal Experts was killed on duty after ordering her Limited Edition Seawolf. This watch was presented to her family at a special ceremony.
Each one of these Limited Edition watches has been initiated and designed by Andrew Michaels with the help of the individuals for whom the watches are for. They are fully authorised by Breitling themselves and not only receives a full two year international warranty but also one of Breitlings Limited Edition individually numbered certificates.
I’m sure there will be many more mechanical Limited Editions that we are in a fortunate enough position to enable gestation to delivery. We are currently awaiting delivery of the latest Royal Marines SeaWolf 3000m Limited Edition timepieces. I’ll keep updating this article as and when we recieve them.
Just out of interest and completeness here is the list of the other Breitling Superquartz Limited Edition logo watches that Andrew Michaels Jewellers have helped produce:
Aerospace Red Devils, Aerospace RAF Wings, Aerospace Battle of Britain Spitfire, Aerospace F16, Aerospace Chinook, Aerospace, Lady Cockpit Concorde, Aerospace, C17, Aerospace AWAC, Aerospace Concorde, Aerospace Typhoon, B1 Red Arrows, B1 ETPS (Empire Test Pilot’s School), Aerospace 801, Aerospace Harrier, Aerospace CAW, Aerospace Commando Sea King, Aerospace Royal Navy, B1 Harrier, Aerospace GR4, Aerospace Nimrod, Aerospace Merlin, Airwolf F15, Airwolf Mildenhall, Aerospace Everest Skydive, Aerospace Tornado, Colt Oceane Para, Airwolf Lynx.
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