Breitling: Chronomat Collection 2020
17 April 2020The Chronomat holds a significant place in Breitling’s history. When the Breitling Chronomat was launched in 1984, it marked a welcome return to mechanical Swiss watches, which had all but disappeared when quartz watches dominated the marketplace in the 1970s. Inspired by the Frecce Tricolori watch, which had been developed and launched in 1983 in collaboration with the famed Italian aerial squadron of the same name, the Chronomat celebrated Breitling’s centenary in style and marked the return of the mechanical chronograph on which the brand had built its global reputation to its rightfully prominent place.
Breitling CEO Georges Kern says: “The 1984 Chronomat occupies a very important place in our modern history. It was the watch that boldly proclaimed Breitling was staying absolutely true to its roots. When much of the industry focused their efforts and energies on quartz watches, the Chronomat reminded the world that Breitling had essentially invented the modern mechanical chronograph. The message resonated and the brand prospered. The Chronomat Collection is a fitting tribute to the amazing watch that, more than any other, put us back in touch with our heritage.”
The new Chronomat, redesigned in 2020 with some updated twists on the original, capitalizes on the watch’s signature design elements and spirit. Every Chronomat has features that make it instantly recognizable:
- The signature rotating bezel is highlighted by rider tabs, which not only protect the crystal but make the manipulation of the bezel easier.
- The rider tabs at 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock, true to the original, are interchangeable, so the wearer can use them either for a “count up” or “count down” function.
- The highly recognizable stainless-steel integrated Rouleaux bracelet with a butterfly clasp.
Each chronograph in the new collection is powered by the Breitling Manufacture Caliber 01, an in-house mechanical movement COSC- certified and water-resistant to 200 meters that delivers an impressive power reserve of about 70 hours.
The hands of every Chronomat B01 42 are coated with Super-LumiNova. All of the models except for the Chronomat Frecce Tricolori Limited Edition have a red chronograph second hand, which also contributes to easy readability.
The watches in the Chronomat Collection are available with a range of different metal and dial options. One version of the Chronomat B01 42 has a 42-millimeter stainless-steel case with a choice of a silver, copper, or blue dial with black contrasting chronograph counters. It is also available with a black dial with silver contrasting chronograph counters. Each model is presented on a stainless-steel Rouleaux bracelet with a butterfly clasp.
The Chronomat Bentley celebrates Breitling’s partnership with the great British luxury car brand. It has a 42-millimeter stainless-steel case with a green dial and black contrasting chronograph counters. This watch, presented on a stainless-steel Rouleaux bracelet with a butterfly clasp, features a “BENTLEY” engraving around the transparent sapphire caseback.
The new Chronomat Frecce Tricolori Limited Edition has a blue dial featuring tone-on-tone subdials and the Frecce Tricolori logo on the dial, positioned where the Breitling logo is normally placed. This stunning tribute to the great aerial squadron is limited to 250 pieces, and its caseback is engraved with the words “ONE OF 250.” Like the rest of the collection, it is presented on a stainless-steel Rouleaux bracelet with a butterfly clasp.
Chronomat enthusiasts looking for an extra touch of luxury will be drawn to the Chronomat B01 42 fitted with an 18 k red gold crown and pushers and a bezel with 18 k red gold rider tabs, numerals, and indexes. This stunning model has a silver dial with silver tone-on-tone subdials and a 42-millimeter stainless-steel case, and is presented on a stainless-steel Rouleaux bracelet with a butterfly clasp.
Another striking two-tone Chronomat features either an elegant blue dial with tone-on-tone chronograph counters or an anthracite dial with black contrasting chronograph counters. It is highlighted by an 18 k red gold ratcheted unidirectional rotating bezel and an 18 k red gold crown and pushers. This model is presented on a riveting stainless-steel and 18 k red gold Rouleaux bracelet with a butterfly clasp.
Finally, for someone who wants to take sporty luxury to a whole new level, there is also a Chronomat B01 42 with a striking 18 k red gold case presented on a black rubber strap with an 18 k red gold folding clasp. It has an anthracite dial with black contrasting chronograph counters.
The prices of the new Breitling Chronomat collection start from € 7.900 for the steel versions up to € 19.000 for the gold model.