Television presenter Jeremy Clarkson spotted wearing a Breitling

Jeremy Clarkson was spotted on the set of Top Gear wearing the Breitling Emergency II in titanium, reference E7632522/BC02/159E — a watch that arguably carries more genuine utility than anything else a presenter might strap to their wrist under studio lights or at a race circuit. It is not a coincidence that a man who has spent decades around aircraft, fast cars, and deliberately dangerous situations chose one of the most functionally serious timepieces on the commercial market.

The Breitling Emergency II, introduced in 2013, builds on the original 1995 Emergency concept by doubling its distress transmission capability. Where the first generation broadcast solely on 121.5 MHz — the legacy aviation frequency — the Emergency II adds a 406 MHz channel, the frequency now monitored by COSPAS-SARSAT satellite systems used by international search-and-rescue services worldwide. Deploying the antenna is a deliberate, multi-step process requiring the removal of a protective cap to prevent accidental activation. The watch is powered by a SuperQuartz movement, Breitling's thermally compensated caliber that delivers ten times the accuracy of a standard quartz oscillator. The titanium case measures a substantial 51mm, water-resistant to 50 metres, with a rubber strap in this configuration. Owning one in the United States historically required signing a waiver with the FCC.

From a collector standpoint, the Emergency II occupies a unique category. It is not a dress watch, not a conventional diver, and not a simple pilot's instrument — it is a registered personal locator beacon housed in a wristwatch case, and that distinction is virtually uncontested in horology. Production volumes are limited by the complexity of the integrated beacon module, which keeps the reference from becoming commonplace on the secondary market.

Clarkson's affinity for aviation-adjacent hardware is well documented — he holds a pilot's licence and has never shied from wearing functional, oversized tool watches. The Emergency II on Top Gear reads less as a styling choice and more as a logical extension of his genuine interests.

At retail, the Breitling Emergency II Titanium E7632522/BC02/159E lists at approximately $19,000 USD. On the grey market, examples trade close to retail, occasionally dipping slightly below list price — a stable market that reflects steady demand from a niche but loyal buyer base rather than speculative flipping.