Geoff Thomas
Just about the last thing you need when lost or injured in dangerous circumstances - and in need of rescue - is to wonder where you left your emergency beacon.
How much better, then, to wear your means of rescue as part of your wristwatch.
Today's miniaturisation techniques have enabled Swiss watchmaker Breitling to produce the 'Emergency' watch which incorporates a micro-transmitter (with separate power source) tuned to alert rescue services on the international 121.5MHz distress frequency.
For military users, Breitling has equipped the watch with a similar transmitter operating on 243MHz.
Under normal circumstances, the signal from the Emergency will be picked up at a range of up to 90nm (165km) by search aircraft flying at 20,000ft (6,000m).
The Emergency is displayed at B740 by London jeweller Garrards whose manager Martin Guare explains that it is far from being a toy. He says: "We will only sell this watch to people who convince us that they won't abuse it.
"It will be registered to them and if the beacon is subsequently activated when there's no emergency, the buyer will be liable for any re-chargeable costs incurred by the rescue services, plus a charge of half the price of the watch to re-calibrate the innards."
Although the watch isn't a slim-line model, its chunky lines are not unattractive and, as it's made in titanium, it is surprisingly light.
The time piece is still a full-function chronograph with count up and down alarms; analogue and digital displays; second time zone; and 30m water resistance.
Buyers also receive an explanatory video and a test station into which the watch is 'plugged' to ensure that the beacon is functioning correctly.
Garrards have sold several to pilots at the show at a price of $3,500 - a saving of around 30% compared with the UK.
Source: Flight Daily News