Breitling Emergency Orbiter 3 Limited Edition

Technical characteristics

Type

Quartz multifunction wristwatch

Maker

Breitling, Genève

Model

Emergency Orbiter 3

Edition

Limited to 20 pieces

Movement

Caliber 68 Quartz

Case Diameter

43 mm

Case Material

18K white gold

Place recorded

Switzerland

Emergency Function

121.5 MHz transmitter

Maker / attribution

Breitling

Design

Visible features

• Blue dial with Orbiter 3 logo • Micro antennas protruding between the 12 and 6 o'clock lugs • Graduated bi-directional rotating bezel • Digital display apertures integrated into the dial

Case and Dial Design

The watch is housed in an 18K white gold three-body case, featuring a brushed finish and a diameter of 43 mm. The case is equipped with a graduated bi-directional revolving bezel and a case back secured by four screws, which also includes a button for testing the integrated emergency transmitter. The dial is blue and features luminous Arabic numerals and indexes. It displays the Orbiter 3 commemorative logo and includes specific apertures for the watch's digital displays, which facilitate the operation of the chronograph, perpetual calendar, and world time indications. Luminous white hands ensure legibility.

Provenance and Presentation

Produced in a limited series of only 20 examples, this watch serves as a commemorative piece marking the 1999 non-stop circumnavigation by balloon. The watch is accompanied by a plastic Breitling suitcase containing the original Chronometer attestation and a Certificate of Authenticity. The set also includes various accessories such as instructions, specialized tools, a test receiver for the emergency frequency, a VHS film documenting the mission, and other Breitling-branded memorabilia. The watch is presented on an 18K white gold link bracelet secured with a deployant clasp.

Technical Specifications and Features

The timepiece is driven by the Breitling Caliber 68 quartz movement. A defining technical feature is the integration of micro antennas between the lugs at the 12 and 6 o'clock positions, designed specifically to operate on the 121.5 MHz aviation emergency frequency. This multifunction instrument offers several complications beyond standard timekeeping, including a chronograph, a perpetual calendar displaying the date, day, month, and year, a world time indication, and an alarm function. The quartz movement is designed for standardization in this model.

Identification

Reference

J56321

Serial number

79968

Source note

Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.

Catalogue references

No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.