£3,700
The Andy Elson Collection of Breitling Watches - Orbiter 2
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Two rare Breitling wristwatches presented to Andy Elson
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Breitling Emergency 121.5 MHz 'Orbiter 2' titanium gentleman's wristwatch, reference no. E56121.1, serial no. 27xx, orange dial with Orbiter 2 logo, Arabic numerals, multifunction digital displays and inner bezel with hour/minute markers, rotating navigational bezel, antenna caps, Breitling bracelet with subsidiary dial and folding clasp, quartz, 44mm including crown guards; with Breitling pouch and cleaning cloth
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** Breitling Emergency Mission watch carry case with screwdriver, test receiver, instruction manual, information manual, authorized distributors booklet
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Breitling Aerospace Repetition Minutes 'Orbiter 2' titanium gentleman's wristwatch, reference no. E65062, serial no. 88xx, orange dial with Breitling Orbiter 2 logo, Arabic numerals, multifunction digital displays and inner bezel with 24-hour numerals, rotating bezel, dark brown rubber strap with Breitling buckle, quartz, 42mm including crown guards; with Breitling pouch
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Provenance:
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Very few examples of each model with the 'Orbiter 2' logo dials were ever produced, possibly as little as just four! Andy Elson also wore the Emergency watch on his Cable & Wireless record breaking flight in 1998 which lasted 18 days
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1998 - Breitling sponsored the Breitling 'Orbiter 2' global balloon project. The pilots for this attempt were Wim Verstraten and Bertrand Piccard with Andy Elson as the technical director and technical pilot / flight engineer. The flight lasted nine days from Switzerland to Burma and became the outright world record for flight endurance for any aircraft within the Earth’s atmosphere.
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The flight was recognised by the International Olympic Committee and awarded Olympic status. The three pilots were authorised to wear the Olympic rings, and attended a range of PR and charity functions. In keeping with dress codes demanded by such functions and to enable the pilots to fasten the cuffs of their dinner jackets, Breitling presented them each with slim Breitling Aerospace 'Orbiter 2' Repetition Minutes dress watches, matching the 'Orbiter 2 'Emergency watch dial.
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Breitling, the renowned aviation watch manufacturer, sponsored and assisted in a range of pioneering balloon record attempts during the late 90s with the mission to circumnavigate the globe. Andy Elson was involved with several of these attempts breaking duration records along the way, before it was finally achieved in 1999 on the Breilting Orbiter 3 piloted by Betrand Piccard and Brian Jones.
Emergency E56121.1
Movement - currently functioning.
Dial - good.
Glass - some small light surface marks.
Hands - good.
Case - some minor small dings to the case sides.
Crown - adjusting correctly.
Bracelet - swelling to the links, light surface marks, wrist size 8.00'' approx.
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Aerospace - E65062
Movement - currently functioning.
Dial - good.
Glass - good.
Hands - good.
Case - generally good, some lettering/numerals rubbed to the case back - see image.
Crown - adjusting correctly.
Strap - good.
Condition reports are provided for general guidance only. Please view images and further information can be obtained upon request. Gardiner Houlgate do not guarantee the working order or time accuracy of any lots. Due to the opening of the wristwatch case backs, it is recommended watches are re-sealed by professional technicians to ensure any stated water resistance is retained
Fees apply to the hammer price:
Free Registration
30% inc VAT*
Flat Fee Registration
26.40% inc VAT*
