Breitling Transocean Unitime Chronograph (Ref. AB051011)
World Timer / Travel Chronograph · Breitling SA. A high-tier luxury Swiss brand known for its deep history in aviation-themed tool watches and chronographs.
Period: Modern Luxury (2010s). It features a 'Neo-Vintage' aesthetic inspired by the original Transocean models of the 1950s and 60s, modernized for the 21st century.
Type
World Timer / Travel Chronograph
Brand
Breitling SA. A high-tier luxury Swiss brand known for its deep history in aviation-themed tool watches and chronographs.
Movement
Automatic, COSC-certified Breitling Manufacture Caliber B05. Features 70-hour power reserve, 28,800 vph (4Hz), and 56 jewels. It is an in-house integrated world-time chronograph movement.
Dimensions
Case Diameter: 46mm; Thickness: 15.4mm; Lug-to-Lug: 55mm; Lug Width: 24mm. This is a very large watch that wears with significant wrist presence.
Description
The Transocean Unitime is a travel-focused powerhouse that recreates the golden age of air travel. It combines an in-house chronograph with a sophisticated world-timer that allows the wearer to change time zones by simply turning the crown; the hour hand, city disk, and 24-hour ring all move in unison without stopping the watch's timekeeping.
Key Features
In-house B05 movement with 'jumping' world time adjustment; World Map dial motif; oversized 46mm case; 'B' anchor logo which has since been retired by the brand in favor of a simpler 'B'.
Dial Description
White/Mercury Silver dial with a stylized globe motif showing the Americas. Features three sub-dials at 3, 6, and 9. Indices are applied polished batons. It features a rotating 24-hour ring (day/night indicator) and an outer city ring displaying 24 global time zones.
Case Material
Stainless Steel (316L). The case features a high-polished finish on all surfaces, including the bezel, lugs, and case sides.
Crystal Type
Cambered sapphire crystal, glare-proofed on both sides. In this image, the crystal appears clear but shows the typical Breitling bluish-hint AR coating.
Bezel Details
Fixed, thin, high-polished stainless steel bezel designed to maximize dial real estate for the world-time complications.
Crown & Pushers
Large non-screw-down crown with 'B' branding, allowing for adjustments of the world timer. Flanked by two pump-style chronograph pushers (start/stop at 2, reset at 4).
Bracelet or Strap
Stainless steel Ocean Classic Milanese (mesh) bracelet. This is one of Breitling's signature styles, featuring a heavy-weave mesh with a folding clasp.
Caseback Details
Closed solid caseback (on standard models) or exhibition sapphire caseback (on specific 'Limited' or newer variants). Typically engraved with Breitling logo and water resistance rating.
Movement Type
Automatic, COSC-certified Breitling Manufacture Caliber B05. Features 70-hour power reserve, 28,800 vph (4Hz), and 56 jewels. It is an in-house integrated world-time chronograph movement.
Water Resistance
100 Meters (330 feet). While suitable for swimming, the mesh bracelet and non-screw-down crown make it better suited for land and air travel rather than diving.
Origin & Provenance
Swiss Made in La Chaux-de-Fonds. The B05 is a fully in-house movement developed by Breitling's technical team.
Age Estimate
Circa 2012-2017. The Transocean Unitime was launched in 2012 and phased out toward late 2017 following the brand's rebranding under Georges Kern.
Cultural Significance
Represents the pinnacle of the Pre-Kern era at Breitling, characterized by large diameters and high-polish finishes. It is highly regarded for its mechanical ingenuity in the world-timer category.
Condition Notes
Very Good. The high-polished steel shows minor 'desk diving' hairline scratches visible on the lugs and bracelet linkage. Dial and crystal appear pristine.
Value Estimate
Current secondary market price ranges between $4,500 and $6,000 USD depending on box/papers and condition. Rare gold versions or limited editions can exceed $12,000.
Care & Maintenance
Recommended service every 5–8 years due to the complexity of the B05 movement. As an automatic travel watch, it is best kept on a winder if not worn daily to avoid resetting the date and world-time rings.
Similar Watches
Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra Worldtimer (more modern dial, less vintage vibe); Patek Philippe World Time (more dressy/smaller); Frederique Constant Worldtimer (more affordable alternative).
Interesting Facts
The 'Unitime' name was first used by Breitling in the 1950s for its early world-time watches. This modern version was famously marketed by David Beckham who served as the global face of the Transocean collection.