Breitling just released the newest watch in its ever-growing collection, and based on first impressions it's destined to be a hit. The Exospace B55 Connected takes the brand's already-popular Cockpit B50 model and adds an extra layer of functionality that allows for Bluetooth control of the watch from any smartphone or tablet.
This isn't just another place where your emails, texts, and calendar alerts can harass you. The Swiss watchmaker instead chose to use the smartphone as a clever way to make more efficient use of the watch's extensive array of functions.
Through the Exospace B55 app, users can do everything from set alarms and swap time zones to change display parameters and turn on night mode. Flight, lap, and split times from the chronograph can also be uploaded to the app for easier and more accurate review. It's not just a gimmick, either. In fact, it's far more convenient than learning a long, annoying button-pressing sequence to toggle through the many functions housed in the 46mm case.
Technical geekery aside, the chunky titanium smartwatch is one of Breitling's better-looking offerings. Available in blue, dark grey, and black, the Exospace B55 manages to blend modern connectivity with classic pilot-watch looks. That said, the thing's a beast. Having briefly thrown one on my wrist, I can safely say there's no way you're going to tuck this bad boy under a shirt cuff—not a chance.
Much like the rest of the watches in Breitling's Professional series, we suspect this model will develop a following in the aviation and military worlds, and with frequent travelers. Breitling has always been one of those polarizing "love them or hate them" sort of brands, but there's a good chance the Exospace B55's interactivity will draw new fans. And though it's unclear whether any of the other big guns of watchmaking will follow Breitling's lead when it comes to defining what a modern smartwatch should be, based on the ease of use, we're hoping they do.
Via esquire.com
