Breitling Wings Lady / Wings Ref. B10050
Pilot / Luxury Sport Watch · Breitling SA. Known as a top-tier luxury brand specializing in chronometers and aviation-focused 'instruments for professionals.'
Period: Modern / Neo-Vintage (Late 1990s). Stylistic indicators include the rider tab bezel and the high-contrast winged logo typical of the Breitling Windrider collection of that era.
Type
Pilot / Luxury Sport Watch
Brand
Breitling SA. Known as a top-tier luxury brand specializing in chronometers and aviation-focused 'instruments for professionals.'
Movement
Automatic, Breitling Caliber 10 (based on ETA 2892-A2). It features 21 jewels, a 28,800 vph frequency, and approximately 42 hours of power reserve.
Dimensions
Case diameter: 38mm; Thickness: 11mm; Lug-to-lug: 44mm; Lug width: 19mm/20mm. This is a compact 'mid-size' watch by modern standards.
Description
The Breitling Wings is a refined, smaller-scale version of the iconic Chronomat design. It offers the rugged aesthetic of a professional pilot's watch—complete with the functional rider tab bezel—but in a time-only format. Its polished finish and gold accents provide a 'jewelry-like' luxury feel that was very popular in the late 90s.
Key Features
Rider tabs for tactile bezel operation, 'Wings' dial signature, two-tone construction, and the use of the high-grade Breitling 10 automatic movement.
Dial Description
Crisp white dial with applied gold-toned indices and Arabic numerals at 6, 9, and 12. Gold baton hands with luminous inserts. Features a date aperture at 3 o'clock and a tachymeter scale on the outer flange.
Case Material
Two-tone stainless steel and 18k yellow gold (specifically the rider tab accents). The case features a fully polished finish.
Crystal Type
Cambered (domed) sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both sides. Visible scratches or smudge marks suggest the AR coating may be worn.
Bezel Details
Unidirectional rotating stainless steel bezel with four 18k yellow gold rider tabs at the 15, 30, 45, and 0/60 positions. The bezel has characteristic vertical grooves.
Crown & Pushers
Onion-style gold-toned screw-down crown without guards. The gold plating appears to be showing significant wear or oxidation (verdigris visible).
Bracelet or Strap
Aftermarket brown alligator-pattern leather strap with matching stitching and a standard pin buckle (not the original Breitling Pilot bracelet).
Caseback Details
Solid stainless steel screw-down caseback, typically featuring the Breitling logo and reference number B10050.
Movement Type
Automatic, Breitling Caliber 10 (based on ETA 2892-A2). It features 21 jewels, a 28,800 vph frequency, and approximately 42 hours of power reserve.
Water Resistance
Originally rated for 100 meters (330 feet). Due to age and visible crown wear, it should not be submerged until pressure tested.
Origin & Provenance
Swiss Made; manufactured in Grenchen, Switzerland. Movement is a Swiss ETA base modified to Breitling specifications.
Age Estimate
Circa 1996–1999 based on the B10050 reference number and the dial layout incorporating the 'Wings' text.
Cultural Significance
Represents the 'Windrider' era of Breitling under Ernest Schneider, which revitalized the brand using bold, tactile designs during the post-quartz crisis mechanical revival.
Condition Notes
Fair to Good. Significant green oxidation (verdigris) is visible on the crown and bezel tabs. The case and crystal show signs of heavy wear. The strap is a non-original replacement in used condition.
Value Estimate
$1,000 - $1,500 USD depending on mechanical health. Lack of original bracelet and visible oxidation significantly lowers the value.
Care & Maintenance
Requires immediate professional cleaning to remove the verdigris oxidation. Service interval every 5 years is recommended. Gaskets should be replaced to ensure water resistance.
Similar Watches
Breitling Chronomat (for a larger chronograph version), Breitling Antares (similar streamlined look), and Tudor Royal (modern alternative).
Interesting Facts
The 'Rider Tab' system was originally designed for the Frecce Tricolori pilots so they could operate the bezel easily while wearing flight gloves.