Breitling Exospace B55 Connected
About This Watch
The Breitling Exospace B55 Connected is a pioneering concept that bridges the gap between traditional Swiss watchmaking and smart connectivity. Rather than competing with smartwatches on their own terms, Breitling took the opposite approach: a fully functional SuperQuartz pilot's chronograph that uses Bluetooth connectivity to enhance, rather than replace, its traditional functions. Through the dedicated smartphone app, the watch can receive notifications, transfer chronograph times to a phone for logging, set multiple alarms, and adjust the time automatically. Crucially, the watch functions perfectly without the phone connection — the smart features are purely additive. The analog-digital display with two LCD windows provides access to an extensive function set including flyback chronograph, flight-time recording, countdown timer, UTC time, and up to seven alarms. The 46mm DLC-coated titanium case provides military-grade durability while keeping weight impressively low at 115 grams. The Exospace B55 represents Breitling's philosophical answer to the smartwatch question: rather than abandoning the analog watch tradition, it demonstrates that Swiss instrument watches can incorporate digital connectivity while maintaining their core identity as standalone precision instruments. For pilots and aviation professionals, the ability to log flight times to a phone and set complex alarms via an app adds genuine practical value to an already comprehensive instrument watch.
In-Depth Review
When Breitling introduced the Exospace B55 Connected in 2017, the brand married its storied aviation heritage with modern connectivity in a way few luxury manufacturers had attempted at scale. The 46mm titanium case with DLC coating cuts an imposing figure on the wrist, while the bidirectional rotating bezel incorporates a compass—a tool that harks back to mechanical fundamentals even as the watch embraces digital innovation. At its heart sits the B55 SuperQuartz caliber, a temperature-compensated quartz movement that achieves chronometer certification, a rarity in the quartz world. The watch delivers comprehensive pilot functionality through a chronograph with flyback complication, countdown timer, flight time tracking, and dual time zones, all synchronized via Bluetooth to a smartphone app. This is purposeful design rather than cosmetic complexity, reflecting Breitling's DNA as a tool manufacturer for professionals.
The Exospace B55 Connected appeals most directly to commercial and military pilots who demand reliability and accuracy without sacrificing modern usability. Business travelers and instrument-trained enthusiasts will appreciate the practical complications, while collectors drawn to technically sophisticated watches will find legitimate engineering merit here. The watch occupies an interesting position in the luxury sports watch market where it competes against alternatives like the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Ultra Deep and the Rolex Yacht-Master II, though at a considerably lower entry point than many expect for professional-grade instrumentation.
At its MSRP of $7,000, the Exospace B55 Connected represents solid value for a Swiss-made titanium sports watch with legitimate tool-watch credentials and advanced timekeeping standards. Market pricing typically sits around $4,000, making it genuinely accessible to professionals who require its capabilities without marketing premium.
Specifications
Movement
| Movement Type | Quartz |
|---|---|
| Caliber | Breitling B55 (SuperQuartz) |
Case
| Case Diameter | 46.0mm |
|---|---|
| Case Thickness | 15.3mm |
| Case Material | Titanium with DLC coating |
| Crystal | Sapphire with anti-reflective coating |
| Bezel | Bidirectional rotating, compass |
| Dial Color | Black |
| Lug Width | 24mm |
| Lug-to-Lug | 53.0mm |
Features
| Water Resistance | 100m / 328ft |
|---|---|
| Bracelet/Strap | Titanium bracelet with DLC coating |
| Clasp | Folding clasp with safety catch |
| Weight | 115g |
| Complications |