Breitling developed the Emergency II in conjunction with major scientific institutes, and the watch includes three innovative new features developed specifically for it, including a new rechargeable battery, a miniaturized dual frequency transmitter and an unprecedented integrated antenna system. With the integration of these microelectronic and microtechnical inventions, Breitling set out to create “a safety and survival instrument in all distress situations on land, at sea and in the air.”

The international Cospas-Sarsat system, whose mission is to provide accurate and reliable distress alert and homing data, uses a network of satellites in low-altitude earth orbit (LEOSAR) and in geostationary orbit (GEOSAR) as well as ground receiving stations and control and coordination centers. Search-and-rescue (SAR) teams use this information to assist persons in distress; since its launch in 1985, the system has helped save more than 26,000 lives. Up until 2009, Cospas-Sarsat used the 121.5 MHz analog frequency for the alert and homing phases of the rescue process. That year, it decided to phase out the 121.5 MHz frequency and began receiving alert signals on the new, digital 406 MHz frequency instead, to provide better security and to reduce the number of false alarms. Hence the need for a new Emergency watch that complied with the new satellite frequency. Making matters a bit more complicated, the 121.5 MHz frequency is still used on land, by ships at sea and by airborne aircraft, so modern distress beacons must offer dual frequencies for the most accurate homing. (See the illustration below for a bit of clarification.)

Breitling accepted the challenge with the invention of its microtransmitter PLB, which alternately operates on two separate frequencies over a 24-hour period. The watch first transmits a digital signal on the 406 MHz frequency, intended for satellites and lasting 0.44 seconds every 50 seconds, then an analog signal on the 121.5 MHz homing and rescue frequency, lasting 0.75 seconds every 2.25 seconds. To accomplish this task, Breitling worked with an institute that developed technology for the aerospace and defense industries to create the watch’s ingenious antenna system, with two miniature antenna sections housed in the lower part of the watch and activated by a knob in the lower right side of the case. To deploy the antenna, which automatically activates the transmitter, you unscrew and pull out the knob’s cap. The cap automatically comes free of the antenna when it is deployed to the right length, at which point the cap of the second section of the antenna is automatically released. The antenna length varies according to the wavelength; depending on the circumstances, the transmitter uses either one antenna section or both; this is a first for a locator beacon.

Above: the knob to deploy the antenna is located in the lower part of the case. Below: the watch with both sections of the antenna fully extended

Breitling also had to address the issue of energy and durability to meet Cospas-Sarsat’s standards, which demand that beacons must be capable of transmitting for up to 24 hours and at temperatures as low as -20 degrees Celsius. Also, the antenna’s two frequencies operate at vastly different power levels: the 121.5 MHz signal at 30 milliwatts and the 406 MHz signal at 5 watts, 170 times higher. In collaboration with another industrial partner, Breitling developed a brand-new, robust rechargeable battery created specifically for the watch. Each Breitling Emergency II is, in fact, delivered with a charger-tester device to periodically recharge the battery and check the operation of the transmitter.

Exploded view of the Breitling Emergency II

In addition to all of its survival functions, the new Emergency II is also a multi-function electronic chronograph watch, powered by the “SuperQuartz” Breitling Caliber 76, which powers a 12/24-hour analog and LCD digital display, 1/100th-second chronograph, alarm, timer, second timezone, multilingual calendar and battery end-of-life indicator. Like the movements in Breitling’s mechanical chronographs, this extremely accurate quartz movement meets the chronometer requirements of the Swiss testing agency COSC. The Breitling Emergency II has a case made of lightweight titanium, a metal used regularly in aeronautics; the watch weighs only 140 grams and is water-resistant to 50 meters. The caseback is inscribed with instructions on how to use the watch in a rescue situation, and the satin-brushed, bidirectional rotating bezel has an engraved compass scale. The analog hour and minute hands are luminescent and the sapphire crystal above the dial is glareproofed on both sides. The Breitling Emergency II comes with a choice of three dials: “Volcano” black, “Cobra” yellow, and “Intrepid” orange. It is offered on either a rubber Diver Pro strap or a Breitling Professional steel bracelet. Prices range from $15,825 to $18,745. There is also an “Emergency Night Mission” model in Breitling’s “blacksteel” case and Black Pro Diver strap for $18,910.

This article was originally published on May 22, 2013, and has been updated.