The Breitling Jet Team Astounds Crowds With Stunning Demonstration At Their First Performance In North America

The World's Largest Professional Civilian Aerobatic Display Team Performs at The Country's Second Largest Air Show, the Sun 'n Fun International Fly-In & Expo

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Breitling

Apr 23, 2015, 03:02 ET

WILTON, Conn., April 23, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Breitling is proud to announce that the Breitling Jet Team successfully completed their first-ever performance in the United States. The world's largest professional civilian flight team performing in jets, the Breitling Jet Team is comprised of seven L-39 C Albatros jets that can reach speeds of up to 565 mph – for the first time customized with "American Tour" on the tail of the aircraft in honor of the tour.

The seven L-39 Albatros jets of the Breitling Jet Team fly over Lakeland, Florida, for the Sun 'n Fun Fly-In & International Expo. This appearance marks their first public performance in North America representing the independent Swiss watch company Breitling.Photo Courtesy of Breitling/Katushiko Tokunaga

The Breitling Jet Team from Dijon, France, flew past the Kennedy Space Center to mark the start of their first American Tour. The team took off from Linder airport in Lakeland, Florida and landed in Titusville, Florida so they could visit the iconic space shuttle launch site. The team is also performing at the Sun 'n Fun Fly-In & International Expo on Friday, April 24th and Saturday, April 25th representing the independent Swiss watch company Breitling. Photo Courtesy of Breitling/Katushiko Tokunaga

Widely recognized for their precision and seamless coordination displayed throughout high-speed aerobatic performances, the France-based team brings their unmatched flying to North America for the first time, mirroring the quality and precision of a Breitling timepiece. Their first performance at the Sun 'n Fun International Fly-In & Expo occurred on Tuesday, April 21 for crowds of thousands, and more are expected at their performances throughout the weekend. The Sun 'n Fun International Fly-In & Expo marks the first stop on the Breitling Jet Team American Tour, with an additional 20 performances scheduled in 2015 across the United States and Canada.

The team wowed crowds with their deft maneuvers, such as the Ocean Master Wave and Blackbird Formation, at times flying within just a few feet of each other, at the opening of the prestigious aviation event, and the team has additional performances scheduled throughout the weekend. Their next stop will be the Manassas Airshow in May, followed by the Jones Beach Airshow in NY. For the full schedule, please visit www.breitling-jet-team.com.

"The Breitling Jet Team embodies Breitling's values of precision, performance, fine aesthetics, and innovation," says Breitling USA President Thierry Prissert. "With their unmatched precision and coordination at such high speeds, it is clear they are truly masters of their craft. When you watch them perform you cannot help but grin from ear to ear – it really is a special experience."

"It is thrilling to be here in the United States," says Jacques Bothelin, Leader of the Breitling Jet Team. "It is an honor to share our performances with American fans. I hope that people feel the excitement and exhilaration that we feel with every performance – and maybe some will be inspired to become pilots themselves."

The precision and skill demonstrated by the team embodies Breitling's ties to aviation. Since developing on-board chronographs for airplane cockpits, including World War II propeller-driven fighter planes, Breitling has been known as the authentic partner of aviation. This reputation was solidified in 1952, when Breitling launched its legendary Navitimer wrist chronograph featuring a circular slide rule serving to perform all navigation-related calculations. A cult object for pilots and aviation enthusiasts, it has been continuously manufactured for almost 60 years – making it the world's oldest mechanical chronograph still in production. Other favorites among pilots are the Aerospace, which was launched in 1985, and the innovative Emergency timepiece with a built-in transmitter that was originally introduced in 1995 and was recently updated to a new version that will launch in 2015 and is the world's first wristwatch with a dual frequency locator beacon. To celebrate the Breitling Jet Team American Tour, Breitling has produced a Chronomat 44 in a limited 500 pieces, the dial is distinguished in eye-catching Breitling Jet Team colors, with the American Tour logo engraved on the case-back. The case houses Breitling's in-house B01 movement, officially chronometer-certified by the COSC.

ABOUT BREITLING: A specialist of technical watches, Breitling has played a crucial role in the development of the wrist chronograph and is a leader in this complication. The firm has shared all the finest moments in the conquest of the skies thanks to its sturdy, reliable and high-performance instruments. One of the world's only major watch brands to equip all its models with chronometer-certified movements, the ultimate token of precision, Breitling is also one of the rare companies to produce its own mechanical chronograph movements, entirely developed and manufactured in its own workshops. This family business is also one of the last remaining independent Swiss watch brands.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150423/201247
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150423/201246

CONTACT: Hilary Waks, (212) 574-8265, [email protected]

SOURCE Breitling