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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesRichard Hammond tested a Breitling Emergency II in a Top Gear challenge set in British Columbia. The watch’s defining feature is a dedicated distress beacon: it transmits a 406 MHz alert signal intended for satellites and a separate 121.5 MHz signal for homing. Episode listings identify the segment as Series 22, Episode 6, broadcast in the UK on 1 March 2015, though that episode identification comes from secondary sources rather than an official BBC listing.
Which Breitling appeared in the challenge?
The watch was the Breitling Emergency II, the second generation of Breitling’s Emergency watch. In the segment, Hammond was dropped into British Columbia while Jeremy Clarkson and James May tried to reach him. The challenge put the watch’s emergency-beacon function—not just its timekeeping—to the test.
Breitling dates the Emergency II to 2013. Its key change from the first-generation Emergency was adding a 406 MHz satellite-alert signal while retaining the original 121.5 MHz homing signal. Breitling’s history of the Emergency describes the development of the watch.
Which Top Gear episode was it?
Secondary episode listings identify the segment as Top Gear Series 22, Episode 6. The reported UK broadcast date is 1 March 2015; a US listing gives 2 March 2015. IMDb’s episode description refers to Hammond being dropped into British Columbia to test a watch with a built-in emergency beacon. These details are not confirmed here by an official BBC episode page, so the episode number and dates should be treated as secondary-source identification.
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“Last aired challenge” should not be read as “the last-ever Top Gear episode.” The available episode references establish which watch challenge the title points to, not that it was the programme’s final episode.
How does the Emergency II beacon work?
The Emergency II is more than a watch with an SOS button or a phone-style location feature. Breitling says its transmitter sends two different signals: a 406 MHz digital burst intended for satellite detection and a 121.5 MHz analog signal used for homing. The first is for raising an alert; the second helps rescuers locate the beacon once they are in the area.
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- 406 MHz: a 0.44-second digital burst every 50 seconds.
- 121.5 MHz: a 0.75-second analog signal every 2.25 seconds.
Those timings and the stated signal purposes come from Breitling’s Emergency operation information. The beacon is specialized emergency equipment, not a promise of rescue. It does not replace trip planning, reliable communications, or other suitable safety gear.
Can you buy the same watch today?
Breitling’s current catalog uses the name “Professional Emergency” and lists reference E76325221B1S1. That entry is useful for understanding the current Emergency family, but it does not establish that the listed reference is identical to Hammond’s Emergency II or that every Emergency II variant remains in production.
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| Current catalog detail | Breitling listing |
|---|---|
| Reference | E76325221B1S1 |
| Case | Titanium; 51 mm diameter and 21.6 mm thick |
| Water resistance | 5 bar (50 m/165 ft) |
| Movement | Caliber 76 thermocompensated SuperQuartz |
| Display and functions | Analog display and 12/24-hour LCD digital display; 1/100-second chronograph |
These are specifications for the reference on Breitling’s Professional Emergency catalog page, not a verified specification sheet for the exact watch used on the programme. The 51 mm case is also a substantial size to consider when assessing fit.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What to know about ownership and servicing
The transmitter has its own upkeep requirements. Breitling describes a dedicated charger-tester that periodically recharges the transmitter battery and automatically checks transmitter operation. Anyone considering an Emergency should confirm the exact reference, transmitter condition, and service arrangements with Breitling or an authorized service provider—especially when assessing a pre-owned example. A watch’s timekeeping functions alone do not confirm that its beacon is ready to use.
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