HMX-1

The HMX-1 Breitling Colt GMT, a presidential presentation watch

One of fifty.

Never sold by Breitling. Issued to the White House.
Presented by the President to the pilots who fly him.

Studio rendering

Above six o’clock, a seal you won’t find on any other Breitling.

The eagle of the President, ringed in gold by the words Presidential Helicopter Squadron and HMX-1.

HMX-1 is the Marine Corps squadron that flies the President of the United States. When the President is aboard, its aircraft takes the call sign Marine One. This dial was made for the White House, and presented by the President to the men and women who fly him.

It passed through three pairs of hands before it ever touched a wrist.

No catalog ever listed it. No boutique ever displayed it. There was no way to buy one, at any price.

  1. Breitling

    Made by Breitling North America with a dial it never put on any other watch. It was never offered for sale.

  2. The White House

    Delivered not to a dealer but to the White House, on Pennsylvania Avenue.

  3. The President

    Presented by the President of the United States to the Marines who fly him.

  4. HMX-1

    Worn by a pilot of Marine Helicopter Squadron One, at the controls of Marine One.

Fifty were made. Almost none have surfaced.

Fifty watches, presented by the President to fifty pilots. Most are still on the wrists, or in the drawers, of the Marines who received them. Collectors who know they exist have spent years waiting for one to appear.

A presidential presentation watch
Fifty made, each presented by the President
Never sold by Breitling
Issued from Breitling North America to the White House
Almost never seen
Only a handful have ever surfaced

The particulars.

Maker and model
Breitling Colt GMT
Reference
A32350
Dial
Black guilloché, HMX-1 Presidential Helicopter Squadron seal
Case
Stainless steel, 40.5 mm, about 13.6 mm thick
Movement
Automatic, Breitling caliber 32 (ETA 2893-2 base)
Functions
Hours, minutes, seconds, date, 24-hour GMT
Power reserve
About 42 hours
Bezel
Unidirectional, elapsed-minute scale
Crystal
Sapphire
Bracelet
Three-link stainless steel, 20 mm lugs
Water resistance
500 m as originally rated; this example untested

Provenance

As recounted by the owners of these watches, fifty were made by Breitling North America, delivered to the White House, and presented by the President to the pilots of HMX-1.

What is it worth?

There was never a catalog price. Never a boutique price.

Its value has never been settled, because it was never meant to be sold.