The Breitling 17, officially designated the Breitling Caliber 17, holds a significant place in the history of the renowned Swiss watchmaker. While not as widely discussed as some of Breitling's more recent and complex movements, the Caliber 17 represents a crucial stage in the brand's evolution, showcasing a robust and reliable automatic movement that powered many beloved Breitling models. This article serves as a comprehensive exploration of the Breitling 17, delving into its specifications, performance, legacy, and its place within the broader context of Breitling's horological achievements. We will explore various aspects, including common user reviews and the specific models it powered, such as the Breitling Superocean A17366.
Understanding the Breitling 17: A Foundation of Reliability
The Breitling Caliber 17 is an automatic mechanical movement, meaning it winds itself through the natural motion of the wearer's wrist. This self-winding mechanism, a hallmark of Breitling's commitment to practical and durable timepieces, distinguishes it from manually wound movements. While the exact base movement upon which the Breitling 17 was built remains somewhat shrouded in mystery – Breitling often modifies and enhances existing movements – it's widely understood to be a robust and reliable platform chosen for its proven performance and suitability for Breitling's typically sporty and active watch designs. The movement's robust construction is crucial for withstanding the rigors of daily wear and potentially more demanding environments. This is a key factor in many Breitling 17 movement reviews.
Specifications of the Breitling Caliber 17:
While detailed technical specifications for the Breitling Caliber 17 are not readily available from Breitling themselves, several key characteristics are consistently mentioned in reviews and analyses:
* Caliber: Breitling 17 (also sometimes referred to as B17)
* Movement Type: Automatic (self-winding) mechanical
* Jewels: The exact number of jewels is not consistently reported, however, the presence of jewels in a mechanical movement indicates the use of synthetic rubies or sapphires to reduce friction at pivotal points, enhancing longevity and precision. Many sources suggest a number in the range typical for movements of this class, potentially around 25-27 jewels. (This addresses the frequent search term "Breitling 17 jewels").
* Power Reserve: A typical power reserve for a movement of this type would be in the range of 38-42 hours. This means the watch will continue to run for approximately 38-42 hours after being fully wound before needing to be wound again, either manually or through the wearer's wrist movement.
* Frequency: The balance wheel's oscillation frequency, typically expressed in vibrations per hour (vph) or Hertz (Hz), significantly impacts the accuracy and precision of the timekeeping. A common frequency for movements in this era would be 28,800 vph (8 Hz).
* Functions: The Breitling 17 primarily provided timekeeping functions – hours, minutes, and seconds. Some variations might have included a date complication.
Breitling 17 Movement Review: A User Perspective
current url:https://tmiukw.c254n.com/blog/breitling-17-kaliber-68764