Introduced: Late 1980s (circa 1988)
Purpose / Inspiration: Created as part of Breitling’s post-quartz-crisis comeback, the Antares was a sleek, aviation-inspired dress-sport hybrid. It was designed to offer clean design, everyday wearability, and practical features like dual time or GMT—aimed at professionals who wanted refined function without tool-watch bulk.
Designer: Developed under the Schneider family leadership, during Breitling’s revival phase, aligning with models like the Jupiter and Navitimer during the brand’s late-’80s identity rebuild.
Materials & Features:
- Case sizes around 38–40mm, typically in steel or bi-metal (steel + gold).
- Many models powered by quartz or automatic ETA-based movements.
- Offered in time-only, GMT, and chronograph versions.
- Signature clean dial layout with bold markers, sometimes with an internal rotating bezel.
Discontinuation Status: Discontinued in the 1990s. No modern reissues. Flew under the radar and quietly exited as Breitling focused more on bold tool watches in the 2000s.
The Gentleman’s Breitling: Not oversized. Not overbuilt. Just clean aviation elegance.
Rare Vintage Flex: One of Breitling’s least hyped but best-wearing legacy models.
Precision with Restraint: It told the time—and made you look like you had some.
Forgotten Class: Proof that Breitling once made watches for the cockpit and the corner office.