The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hello again,

Does the Emergency have a functional compass? The bezel has compass graduations but I cannot find any mention of a compass function in Breitling's literature. Thanks!

Peace

Mike

Nope, it is not a magnetic compass.

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Breitling Navitimer Vintage
Breitling Emergency Mission

Thanks for the quick reply. That's what I suspected.

I'm sure some of you will think I'm over-reacting, but that really makes me question the whole brand. That is something I would expect from a cheap watch. So-called skeleton watches that reveal non-functional watch parts or fake tourbillons. Divers' watches that you can't get wet.

For the brand to trumpet their functionality and durability, for them to take great pains in providing calibrated slide rules (that virtually nobody will use), only to rip themselves off like this on a six thousand dollar watch with a functional ELB? I mean, come on.

I really don't get what you are upset about. Google Solar Compass and you'll find it's exact use.

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Collection: http://s540.photobucket.com/albums/gg32 ... mview=grid

I'm not sure that I understand why the lack of a functioning compass would cause you to question the watch, but I beg to differ that the compass points are not functional......

Read the manual of any Breitling with hands and it will explain to you how to orient yourself based on the position of the sun and the hour hand. Add to that a bezel with compass points and I would suggest that you effectively have a compass.

edit - aleister beat me to it.

Thanks to both of you.

I remember this method of navigation from my Boy Scout days. The way it was presented to us, and the way I continue to think of it now, is that it's a way to determine your rough orientation . . . IF you don't have a better method, including a magnetic compass.

I can make a solar compass by drawing a circle on the ground; I don't need a watch, much less a Breitling. And it won't work at night or in bad weather.

Peace

Mike

<sarcasm> Mike... you've just talked me into selling my Breitlings and I will never buy an Emergency.... However, I will need you to accompany me everywhere just incase I need you to draw me a circle in the ground... </sarcasm>

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Breitling
Omega
more..

Not to argue the point Mikey but you can stick a stick in the ground at an angle and call it a sundial and do away with a watch all together. (Except at night and in bad weather).

One thing that is kinda important is that IF there had been a magnetic compass there would have to be a magnet in the bezel, right?? One can ask how good that would be for the watch (any brand) and its movement, quartz or mechanical...

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Breitling Navitimer Vintage
Breitling Emergency Mission

And if I throw it in the air, will it summon helicopters?

Sorry Mikey, but I'm struggling with this as much as the other guys I'm afraid.

I guess a compass might be handy in a watch........., but then I guess a GPS and an altimeter would be handy too.............. as would maybe some kind of flare dispenser and some waterproof matches if you wanted it to be some kind of all encompassing survival tool.

This isn't meant to be flippant, but for me it's about where do you draw the line? Personally I think that an emergency beacon in a watch while still keeping it looking like a fairly normal watch is a damn fine achievement, but hey that's just me!

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Driver8

Site Moderator

There were mechanical watches in the 70s that had a compass - they were designed to allow Muslims to calculate which direction Mecca was in for daily prayers - it was a little compass over the centre of the dial.

To the best of my knowledge the only modern watches with compasses are the quartz adventure style watches from everyone from Timex to Suunto that often have other features as well.

Not to get too technical here, but it sounds as though youre assuming that your going to get stranded in a nice, flat and sunny location.

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-RJ

if you're looking for a functional compass, i just bought a tissot sea touch. it has a compass that points to geographic north in addition to have a touch screen which i find very cool...if that's what you're looking for i'd check it out. i like it a lot and it'll cost a fraction of the price of an emergency...

here's a link: http://www.t-touch.com/flash.html?20100209034759

Thanks! Funny you mention it, I played with one of these the other day and loved it. Nice watch.

I am kind of a noob with watches. One of my resolutions this year is to own a nice watch after years of wearing cheap digitals or, lately, just using the cell phone. Tissot is one of those manufacturers I never even heard of before I began my search. That touch model I played around with really worked well, the touch screen is very responsive and predictable. Of course, that was in the pleasant environment of a shopping mall.

Peace

Mike