Groundbreaking invention: Restart on the fly

Chronographs are precision tools for measuring the duration of an event. This stop function primarily enhances wristwatches that have been developed for professional or sporting purposes. The flyback mechanism optimizes handling: the special models have two pushers for stopping a time stage. The one at the 2 o’clock position starts and stops the measuring process. The button at the 4 o’clock position is used to return to the starting position.

Flyback watches allow an alternative use of the second pusher: If you press it during the measuring process without releasing it, the second hand returns to its original position. All you have to do now is take your finger off the button to start the next measurement. The flyback function is also known as the flying zero position or “retour-en-vol”. If you like it trendier, you could use the term “reset” to explain this functional feature to a layperson.

Efficient operation for time measurements

Anyone who sees wristwatches not only as a style statement, but also as an instrument for sports or at work, will recognize the advantage: if you want to restart measuring processes or start the next measurement immediately, three actions are normally necessary. Stopping is followed by zeroing and starting the next counting process.

Mechanical stopwatches, which used to be used for sporting events, are intuitive to operate. It rests in one hand and the fingers hover over the buttons for quick reactions. It becomes more awkward when you have to reach for the opposite arm and press small buttons three times in the correct order. If every second counts, efficient flyback watches are a great help: They combine three steps into one action that you can complete without looking at the timer.

More safety and accuracy thanks to on-the-fly zero setting

The first flyback watch had barely been invented when it accompanied Richard Byrd, who flew over the South Pole for the first time in 1929. Anyone familiar with the conditions of early aviation will understand his enthusiasm. Wristwatches were important navigational instruments. For example, the chronograph was activated at the sight of a prominent landmark in order to safely plan the further course of the flight.

For long distances, it was necessary to stop time periods several times. Even if you performed the three maneuvers for zeroing as quickly as possible, the seconds lost added up. If you didn’t take this into account, you risked navigational errors, which could be fatal at high flying speeds. It was conceivable to miss the target or misjudge the fuel supply. Professional aviation pioneers took these differences into account using complicated calculation methods. They were simplified when the flyback function made its debut. The same applied to scientific and military measurements, which required precision to the second.

The initial spark: patent from Longines

The pioneering work was carried out by the Swiss brand Longines, which presented a flyback watch in 1925 that was praised by pilots. Around ten years later, it patented the function that characterized the legendary L13ZN calibre. It was a milestone in the art of watchmaking with an innovative movement design:

The classic design stipulates that the relevant movement element must be disengaged when the chronograph or the hands are moved to the zero position. If it remained engaged, damage would be inevitable. Longines has succeeded in integrating a mechanism that disengages and engages the zeroing process in an instant. It is the heart of the flyback function, which is one of the most sophisticated complications.

Refining inspiring ideas – Blancpain Fifty Fathoms

One brand ensured the comeback of the additional function in 1996 and still cultivates it today – for example with the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Chronographe Flyback. It shows that the complication is also practical for diving when the manufacture masters a challenge: the more operating elements there are, the trickier it is to ward off penetrating environmental influences. The black Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Chronographe Flyback with 300 m water resistance, ceramic case and canvas strap succeeds in this mission.

Watch history brought to life – Chopard L.U.C. Chrono One Flyback

The flying zero setting is often a tribute to watchmaking tradition. The Chopard L.U.C. Chrono One Flyback is a prime example of this. The premium manufacturer has abandoned its preference for gold to create an authentic homage for this limited edition. The automatic chronograph pays tribute to the titanium alloy that plays a role in aviation. The watch design thus builds a bridge to aviation, for which the flyback function was developed. The khaki-colored dial and light brown leather strap reinforce the vintage charm.

A breath of fresh air for the tried and tested – Hublot Big Bang Unico Gourmet 42 mm

The luxury brand based in Nyon only made its debut in 1980. By then, the relevance of the flyback function had long since been put into perspective. Ambition and a love of high-contrast design were behind the idea of giving the colorful Hublot Big Bang Unico Summer Purple 42 and the Unico Gourmet the watch complication. It proves that unconventional approaches and traditional craftsmanship do not contradict each other. The same applies to the built-in chronograph movement: with its double clutch system and column wheel on the transparent dial side, it stands out from the ordinary.

By no means threatened with extinction – chronographs with flyback function

Aircraft, research or professional sport: there have long been measuring instruments that outperform mechanical flyback wristwatches in terms of accuracy and functionality. Apart from a brief pause during the quartz crisis, the chronograph add-on mechanism has held its own. Those who have a soft spot for it are catered for by ambitious watch manufacturers in a variety of ways, for example:

• Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 Ultra-Complication Universelle (RD#4)
• Breguet Type 20 Chronographe 2057
• Frederique Constante Chronograph Manufacture Flyback watches
• Hublot Big Bang Unico Summer Purple 42 Special Edition
• Hublot Big Bang Unico Gourmet 42-mm
• Longines Spirit Flyback
• Patek Philipp 5935A Worldtimer
• Raymond Weil Freelancer Pilot
• Rolex Yacht-Master II
• Tag Heuer Monza Flyback watches
• Zenith Pilot Big Date

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Source image for the article: From File:Heuer Fliegerchrono 1.jpg: Gordito1869derivative work: Superbass – This file was derived from this work: Heuer Fliegerchrono 1.jpg:, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=114514042

Der Beitrag Flyback watches: What does the flyback function of chronographs do? erschien zuerst auf Uhrinstinkt Magazine.

Elegance, clarity and practicality: if you’re looking for a functional chronograph without frills, you’ll reach your goal with the Sinn 358 collection and get top-class German engineering. But which model comes out on top in 2022? We compare the limited 358 C special edition with the classic Flieger variant, uncover the differences between the technical trailblazers, and show what model variety, from blue beauty to exotic decorative finishes, the 358 line still has in store.

Classic chronograph in enlarged version

Since the beginnings of the Frankfurt-based company, instrumental chronographs have been the focus of the Sinn watch manufacture. Practical and reliable time-stopping, coupled with durable and timelessly designed construction, are their great strengths. In 1998, the specialty watch company launched one of the most important collections of its modern era: the 356 line. Characterized by a very clear and, in many eyes, slightly sporty look, it combines all the traits that the die-hard Sinn enthusiast expects from his Hessian powerhouse on a dreamlike 38.5 millimeter case diameter: 100 meter water resistance, perfect legibility and a solid SW 500 chronograph movement.

Based on the success of the 356 line and the fact that 38.5 millimeters is a size too small for many wearers, Sinn has developed the 358 collection. Based on the 356 in both visual and technical aspects, it transports the advantages of the compact time stopper to the noticeably larger format of 42 millimeters. The Sinn watch is by no means monstrous with these dimensions, but its presence is considerable and is further enhanced by subtleties such as the strikingly curved watch glass or the relatively wide stainless steel bezel.

Sinn 358 C: Limited Edition in dark green

The 358 enters the 2022 model year with a particularly exciting addition: the 358 C Special Edition. The “C” in the name stands for “Chronos” and refers to the collaboration with the Ebner Media Group watch magazine of the same name, which has produced the strictly limited masterpiece.

The chrono functions are arranged in a chic, v-shaped tricompax layout that sets off the 30-minute scale (3 o’clock), 12-hour display (6 o’clock) and small seconds (9 o’clock) from the background in shiny galvanic black. The white Arabic numerals as well as the hour and minute hands with lush luminous color also contrast strongly with the background, so that despite the exotic factor, the 358 C is just as easy to read as you would expect from a genuine Sinn. An additional highlight is the dark green boar leather strap, which forms a perfect symbiosis with the dial color.

358 Sa aviator: top performance in a no-nonsense look

Those who forgo the trendy green color and instead prefer a black chronograph classic like in the picture book should order the Sinn 358 Sa Flieger. It follows the “conventional” design in the 358 portfolio, but unlike the Chronos variant, it is not limited and offers the highest possible contrast in the dial: white lettering on a black background. Also different from the special model is the Trikompax layout with 30-second indication in the upper center, 12-hour scale at 6 o’clock and unchanged seconds at 9 o’clock. In addition to the 3 o’clock position, this creates space for a Day-Date complication, which gives the Sinn 358 Sa Flieger a higher range of functions compared to the C special edition. In return, the Limited Edition scores with a clearer and, above all, symmetrical dial design due to the omission of the additional displays, which comes across more harmoniously than the packed Flieger model. So in 2022, the question is whether green noblesse or black tradition comes to the wrist. Like the Sinn 358 C, the Flieger variant is equipped with a bracelet in first-class correspondence to the dial. Those who prefer a steel solid or soft silicone strap instead of black leather have a free choice.

Comparison: A question of preferences

While the dial allows for a clear differentiation between the Chronos special edition and the black Sa Flieger 2022, the technical specifications of the two sister models show extreme similarities. For example, the Flieger uses the proven Sellita caliber SW 510, while the 358 C is equipped with an SW 500. Both movements are admired through a sapphire crystal crystal back, tick at four hertz and are anti-magnetic according to DIN 8309. The satin-finished stainless steel case does not show any differences either: 100 meters water resistant, it is equipped on the front side with a conspicuously strongly curved sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both sides and has a screw-down crown with crown protection. The weight of 86 grams, the generous lug width of 22 millimeters and the chronograph-standard overall height of 15 millimeters are also identical.

In addition, both instrumental chronographs are equipped with the in-house Ar-Dehumidifying technology, which enables the movement to be stored in a virtually dry atmosphere and thus slows down the aging of oils. This is achieved with the aid of three elements: an elaborate inert gas filling, a drying capsule and special EDR seals. As a result, aging processes are mitigated, tarnishing of the cover glass is prevented in the event of cold shocks, and longer functional reliability and consistent rate accuracy are ensured.

Bright blue or gray decorative finish? More models of Sa Flieger 2022

The far-reaching similarities in technology mean that the decision between the Sinn 358 C and the black Flieger is primarily a matter of aesthetic preference. Those who prefer maximum functionality and a classic look will choose the Flieger. Those who want to combine the appeal of the limited with an exotic color scheme should consider the Chronos version. However, these two references do not exhaust the product portfolio of the collection in the 2022 model year. The 358 Sa FLIEGER B E deserves a special mention, which differentiates itself from the black Flieger with a spectacular dial in dark blue including a sunburst finish and ivory-colored luminous indices, but is technically identical to the classic. The Sinn 358 Sa FLIEGER DS also stands out from the regular Flieger “only” by its dial, where a manually executed decorative cut provides a grayish aesthetic that allows the base material to shine through in some places.

The fifth and final member in the current Sinn 358 collection is the DIAPAL, the most technically advanced model in the family. Although, unlike the 358 Sa Flieger, it has a date-only complication instead of the Day-Date window, it conceals under its anthracite dial with black totalizers (as the only one in the series) the in-house DIAPAL technology, which pursues the goal of the Ar-Dehumidifying technology, which is also installed, even more intensively by using special, lubricant-free material pairings. The result: improved long-term accuracy and increased reliability.

Der Beitrag Sinn 358 C and Sa Flieger erschien zuerst auf Uhrinstinkt Magazine.

Since its debut, the Breitling AVI (Ref. 765 1953) Re-Edition has been celebrated by brand enthusiasts: Conceived as a tribute to the legendary “Co-Pilot” of 1953, the re-edition inspires with its amazing closeness to the historic original and combines great tradition with modern mechanics. From 2022, additional emotions will be created by five brand-new Classic AVI watches, which will keep the pilot’s watch company with its XXL diameter and fighter plane DNA.

Comeback of an icon

Outside the world of watches, there are only a handful of timepieces with universal recognition. The Rolex Datejust or the Omega Seamaster featured in the James Bond movies are such examples. And certainly the Breitling Navitimer, often dubbed the most famous pilot’s watch of all time, is one of them. In the unprecedented fame of the classic watch with its distinctive slide rule, introduced in 1952, another icon of post-war history is almost forgotten: The Breitling AVI Ref. 765, which was launched a year after the Navitimer and quickly earned the nickname “co-pilot.” Like the second man in the cockpit, the model is an important complement to the Navitimer at the time.

Not everyone likes the complex appearance of the slide rule and is all the more pleased with the simple, robust design. In appearance, the Breitling AVI is a tribute to the Swiss manufacturer’s functional on-board watches from the 1930s and 40s, not necessarily known for their beauty. Few contemporaries would have expected that these watches would receive a tribute almost 70 years later. In 2020, the moment of glory arrives: with the Breitling AVI Ref. 765 1953 Re-Edition (Ref. AB0920131B1X1), the Co-Pilot returns to the limelight and, with a limited edition of 1,953 pieces, finds its way onto the wrists of aviation enthusiasts and brand fans.

Only the technology is modern – plus two small details

The exclusivity begins on the case back, where the lettering “ONE OF 1953” reveals: this pilot’s watch is not ready-made. But one thing at a time. The stainless steel case of the Re-Edition measures 41.1 millimeters, which not coincidentally corresponds to the exact diameter of the historical prototype – the complete new edition is modeled on the historical prototype down to the smallest detail.

The journey through time continues with the all-black dial, whose Superluminova coating is applied by hand and is identical in color to the luminous color of the 1950s model. The shape of the dial has also been precisely adapted to the first Breitling AVI.

Like the original, the totalizers appear in the same color as the rest of the dial. Even the syringe shape of the central hands is unchanged from the original. Inside the pilot’s watch, modernity reigns supreme. The watches from 2020 are fueled by Breitling’s manufacture caliber B09, which is largely identical to the B01, but replaces its automatic movement with a traditional hand-wound one. The 21st century benefits include COSC certification and 70 hours of power reserve.

Even more strictly limited: Breitling AVI in noble metals

Those who want to celebrate the ticking tradition with an additional prestigious case material can replace the stainless steel case with an 18-karat rose gold version (Ref. RB0920131B1X1). Limited to 253 pieces, it swaps the black leather strap of the regular Classic AVI watches for a vintage-style brown variant. The pinnacle of luxury is a platinum version limited to 153 pieces (Ref. LB0920131C1X1) with a blue dial and gold leather strap.

Both noble metal editions have an exclusive engraving with their respective number of pieces on the case back, are water-resistant to 30 meters and are powered by the same hand-wound movement as the stainless steel model.

Relatives with style: The Aviator 8 editions

All three new versions are grouped under the umbrella of the new Classic AVI collection, whose members have a close historical connection to the early history of the Swiss company. An established family member is the Aviator 8 Chronograph 43, whose name comes from the legendary Huit (French “huit” for “eight”) Aviation Department. Founded in 1938 by Willy Breitling, the special department was responsible for the production of the company’s highest-quality pilot’s watches in its time and established the myth surrounding Breitling’s on-board watches.

Fueled by non-manufacture movements, the Aviator 8 Chronograph 43 scores higher on affordability and exists in several special edition models – the most popular being the military green Curtiss Warhawk (Ref. A133161A1L1X1) and the black, red and white Mosquito (Ref. AB01194A1B1X1). Those who prefer simple elegance over elaborate chronographs will also find what they are looking for in the Classic AVI watches: The Automatic Day & Date 41 (Ref. A45330101B1X1) compresses the date, time and day of the week in a timelessly distinguished design.

Next Generation: New Super Aviator in Goliath format

From spring 2022, the Classic AVI watches are complemented by five newcomers that measure a whopping 46 instead of 41 millimeters in diameter and are therefore entitled to bear the name “Super Aviator”. Each model in the new collection pays homage to one of the most important fighter planes of the 1940s, with the legendary North American P-51 Mustang receiving two editions.

Firstly, a stainless steel version with a black dial (Ref. AB04453A1B1X1), secondly, an 18-karat red gold version with an anthracite front (Ref. RB04451A1B1X1). It is the only model made of noble metal.

Back in the steel world, we encounter the elegant Tribute to Vought F4U Corsair (Ref. AB04451A1C1X1) honoring the U.S. fighter plane with gull wings, as well as the military-looking Curtiss Warhawk (Ref. AB04452A1L1X1) in green design.

The most striking is the Super AVI B04 Chronograph GMT 46 Mosquito (Ref. YB04451A1B1X1) with black ceramic bezel, white contrasting totalizers and red accents. This pays tribute to the legendary De Havilland DH.98 “Wooden Wonder” which, despite being made of wood, was one of the fastest aircrafts of the 1940s.

All five Super Aviator editions are powered by Breitling’s in-house manufacture B04 movement, which adopts the technology of the better-known B01 with its ratchet wheel control and vertical clutch – 70-hour power reserve and COSC certificate included. An added bonus: 100 meters of water resistance, which sets the Super AVI noticeably apart from the 30 meters of the AVI 1953.

Der Beitrag Breitling AVI erschien zuerst auf Uhrinstinkt Magazine.