Back in 2019, Breitling released a limited edition Superocean series in collaboration with Ironman, the renowned series of grueling triathlon events that have been cultivating champions and sparking feelings of inadequacy for decades. Yesterday in Los Angeles, they unveiled another collaboration in the form of a duo of Endurance Pro Ironman watches from the Professional collection. Although two models are debuting, only the red version will be available to the general public, while the other black-and-gold model will be accessible only to those who complete the Ironman race, which consists of a modest 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride, and a 26.2-mile run (I've read that this involves about ~40,000 people annually).
We have already detailed the Endurance Pro model several times (see here and here), so I'll just briefly cover it here. The Endurance Pro case, part of the Professional collection, is made from Breitling's proprietary Breitlight polymer, which is three times lighter than titanium and almost six times lighter than steel, yet harder than both. In fact, the watch case weighs 35 grams, and the rubber strap itself weighs 30 grams, to give you an idea of how lightweight it is.
The Endurance Pro Ironman watches measure 44 mm in width and 12.5 mm in thickness with a water resistance of 100 m. They use Breitling's in-house thermocompensated SuperQuartz Caliber 82 movement (COSC-certified). This chronograph offers 1/10th second precision and a 30-minute counter, one of the few HAQ (high-accuracy quartz) movements.
Regarding these two new Endurance Pro Ironman watches, the first model features a red gradient dial with black accents and the Ironman logo at the 6 o'clock subdial. It comes on a matching red rubber strap with the word “IRONMAN” instead of the usual “BREITLING” text. The red color is a rather bold choice, although the gradient effect is currently trendy.
The second model is called the Endurance Pro Ironman Finisher, which is quite fitting since it is only available to those who have completed the race. Honestly, these watches look quite cool, and their allure is enhanced by the participation requirement. The watches with a black dial with golden accents appear understated and imbued with a finishing magic. Naturally, the case back also features the “Finisher Series” inscription. I believe that in terms of design and scope, the Endurance Pro Ironman Finisher watches stand out among others. I suppose there will inevitably be cases - let's call it stolen valor - where someone purchases a Finisher second-hand (or even through more nefarious means, since that person is clearly unscrupulous). To them, I say: shame!
The Breitling Endurance Pro Ironman model, priced at $3,350, will be available in all retail stores as well as on the brand's e-commerce website, while the Endurance Pro Ironman Finisher model will be available only through Ironman channels. You can learn more at breitling.com
