BREITLING AEROSPACE - ICONIC FUNCTIONALITY
By: Hunter Wealot - Watchmens Guild
Whether you feel the call of it's inherent sketchiness, are drawn to it's practicality of function, appreciate the depth of it's history, or simply are drawn to the pure aesthetic of its distinguishably unique design... The Breitling Aerospace is an undoubted icon - both amongst the wide array found in the sketchy catalog of it's manufacturer; and in the practical timepiece aka tool watch space as a whole.
HISTORY OF AN ICON
Production History
Introduced amongst a lineup of well established sketchy timepieces in 1985, the Aerospace entered the scene post quartz crisis along with Breitlings other quartz offerings at that time.
The time was one of pioneering. Going forth with a design such as this one that not only broke norms in aesthetic but even functionality in its vast array of offerings in a singular platform.
A modernized luxury timepiece taking advantage of the technological advances of it's time, the Aerospace appropriately included in Breitlings professional lineup has been relatively the same in it's functionality, form, and identity from its inception.
It's original iteration was essentially the same from its introduction through 1994 with more rounded LCD screens, non numerated outer track, and non minor numerated bezel. From 1996-98 we see the design evolve into what many recognize the Aerospace as with its more squared off LCD screens, numerated inner track, and minor numerated bezel. 1998/99 we saw the introduction of the italicized "12, 3, 6, & 9" numerals. In 2005 we saw the introduction of what can be considered the modern Aerospace, the Aerospace Advantage - most notable visual differentiation being the larger polished "12, 3, 6, & 9" numerals. In the 2010's, we saw the entrance of the modern Aerospace Evo, discontinued in 2023 - then the B70 Orbiter special edition Aerospace in 2024. A prospective new Aerospace is on the horizon...
A great article that goes more in depth on the individual identification and production history of the various Aerospace references over the years can be found here.
Additionally here:
Sketchy Dudes Wear Breitling: End User History
This could be an entire writeup in and of itself - there are some pretty Sketchy individuals who have done Sketchy stuff with their Aerospace specifically. To get some good reads of a couple already done by someone significantly Sketchier than us; check out these
W.O.E. Sketchy Dudes Wear Breitling - We Don’t Make The Rules
THE PURSUIT OF SKETCHINESS
Amongst all the reasons one would find themselves drawn to the iconic sketchiness of such a piece as the Aerospace, my personal journey began like many - through the influence of another.
Most in our community know Watches of Espionage (W.O.E.) as a household name at this point. Like many others in recent years who can claim a similar story, I can credit W.O.E. with some initial/final straws of the genesis of my journey into timepieces.
Overtime in the gradual maturity of my tastes and collection, I found myself determining the list of my long term grails and the route I desired my collection to take itself. In such, I determined a slot for a first grail.
My goals for such...
- A timepiece that prioritized practical functionality for everyday life while equally being capable of harder more strenuous use
- Heirloom level quality and luxurious in craftsmanship
- A pricepoint that balanced debt free attainability, reflected my current season of life/career journey, time oriented effort that would be appropriate with all other considerations (final landing: $1-2k)
- Coming from a heritage legacy manufacturer specifically with a noteworthy history in adventure/functionally oriented timepieces
- Bracelet capable and even bracelet ideal
- Later on close to acquisition, the added purpose of marking the momentum and successes achieved thus far by Watchmens Guild and the additional growing pursuits on that front
After developing these goals and taking all into consideration; I found myself landing on Breitling as the clear standout in all regards (it didn't hurt when my cofounder and Brother in Christ Sir William, acquired his Breitling Tabarly)- in my landing on Breitling, I made the final determination on the Aerospace through the lenses of W.O.E.
In seeing his Jordanian Aerospace; learning more in regards to the practically driven functionality of the quirky yet artesian design, noting the longterm affluence it played in his journey, and finally taking into consideration the influence his content and platform had played in my own journey - the Breitling Aerospace evolved into the perfect choice to fulfill the role I had come developed as my first grail timepiece.
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Towards the end of 2024 in the midst of the growing momentum of Watchmens Guild; my cofounder Sir William and myself took account of the goals and services we were striving to offer with WG.
A clear conclusion of the practical offering we were presenting to the community was that of organized in person fellowship oriented around practical timepieces. With such, in the extension of that service was the timepieces themselves. While clearly there is a place for attendees to provide a wide array of offerings in this regard with the pieces that they bring themselves to meetings - we wanted to in some way ensure the types of pieces that could be experienced at our meetings by those who attended. We found the sensible answer of developing a collection of Watchmens Guild acquired pieces.
In coming our to this, we decided our initial focus of this collection (now dubbed 'The Keep') would be timepieces that specifically were practically oriented, among the popular majority of manufacturers most take into consideration within this category, and in a sub $2k price range. With all these things taken into consideration, the first contribution to this collection of pieces became unmistakably clear...
'NARSIL' - BROKEN BUT NOT BEYOND REDEMPTION
As we took to the pursuit of the Aerospace as our first acquisition, we began searching high and low. Varying from BST threads to online sellers, we watched and waited...
Early 2025, I personally happened upon a too good to be true listing up on Chrono24 of a blue dial reference E65062 Aerospace. This 1996-98 repetition minutes model was on bracelet, no box or papers, and shown in excellent condition in most all aspects - HOWEVER, as was quickly realized, the LCD screen was in a damaged condition...
The seller (a dealer based in the CONUS) was unsure as to how the damage had occurred and was not providing any additional info on the damage aside from the facts that the movement (analog hands) of the watch were fully functional, the battery had been changed by them, and that the screen was "not operational".
Through some research, we came to the conclusion that even after prospective overhaul servicing - the pricepoint the watch was being offered at would still come in well within its market value.
So, we decided to take the shot and assume the risk...
A few harrowingly long days after submitting that checkout - a simple package makes it’s arrival.
In the opening of such, an icon now assumed it's own identity...
'NARSIL' - Forged in the depths of time, the timepiece that was broken - DESTINED for reforging, but not lost in it's value in the meantime...
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Upon inspection, 'Narsil' proved that while broken, it had not lost it's edge. The upper left portion of it's top LCD screen displayed visual damage and the upper LCD did not function to it's purpose displaying no text or numerals.
But the bottom LCD... The portion that gives the tool it's inherent functionality, while visually showing it's scars of battle fought - still maintained it's edge in functionality more than capable of accomplishing the task it was forged for.
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All said, 'Narsil' presented us pleasantly surprised in it's capability even in it's present state. So much so, that we have found ourselves coming to appreciate the individual distinguishability it presents. In the words of sir W.O.E. himself, "hell yeah, I dig the 'patina' on the display...". We couldn't agree more.
CONCLUSION
Is the Aerospace for you?
For us; the Aerospace represents the heritage of a legendary manufacturer, the craftsmanship of a luxury heirloom, and the functionality of a practical tool watch.
What more is there to be said?
Virtus, Validus, Tempus ⚔️🛡⏱
- Hunter
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'NARSIL' IN ACTION: