BY JOVAN KRSTEVSKI
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates has announced Swiss watchmaker Breitling as its official timekeeper. And what better than a new aviation-inspired timepiece to celebrate these aviation ties. So, please welcome on board the Breitling Aviator 8 Day-Date 41 Etihad Airways Limited Edition, a pilot’s watch with an Arabic flavor.
One of the most striking aspects of this watch is its dial. Taking center stage and set against a black backdrop are the rose gold colored numerals in Arabic language which highlight the middle eastern ties of this watch and give it a distinctive visual identity. Surrounding the numerals at intervals of 5 are printed minutes in Arabic, which is followed by a sloped railroad-style minute chapter ring that makes it easy to read the time using the well-proportioned handset. As the name suggests the watch offers a day and date complication, which has been implemented (once again in Arabic) via two neat windows at 12 and 6 keeping the balance and symmetry of the dial intact. Finally, adding a splash of color to the dial are the small details in red such as the minute marking at 12 and the red tip of the second’s hand.
To give the watch a stealthy appearance and match the dial, the case has been given a black DLC treatment. It measures 41mm in diameter, a modest size that would make the watch sit comfortably on a variety of wrists. On top of the case is a knurled Black bezel with a red triangle which is reminiscent of the bezel found on the iconic Navitimer. On the rear is a closed case-back that hides underneath it the Caliber 45 that powers this watch. This self-winding automatic movement operates at a frequency of 4Hz and offers a power reserve of around 40 hours. It is also COCS certified which implies that the watch would keep strong and accurate time with a maximum deviation of -4 to +6 seconds a day.
The new Aviator 8 Day-Date 41 Etihad Airways Limited Edition is a handsome looking watch that would make for a great addition to an Arab enthusiasts’ collection. And for those of you who are not from the Middle East, this could be the perfect wildcard watch. Production would be limited to just 500 pieces and the watch would be available to purchase only in Abu Dhabi initially, following which it would be rolled out at other locations globally. The retail price for this bad boy has been set at USD 4,995.
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