A redesigned version of the new Breitling Chronomat collection has been released, updating one of the defining luxury sports watches of the 1980s and 1990s with slimmer cases, cleaner detailing and a more integrated bracelet design.
Originally created in 1983 for Italy’s Frecce Tricolori aerobatic squadron, the Chronomat was designed as a tough mechanical chronograph capable of surviving fighter-jet forces as well as the Quartz Crisis, before somewhat unexpectedly becoming an impressive commercial success, far beyond aviation circles.
The new changes represent subtle upgrades and tweaks, to the watch that got a significant relaunch, not that long ago.
The flagship Chronomat B01 42 chronograph has been reduced from 15.1mm thick to 13.77mm, while Breitling has removed the old 1/100 scale from the rehaut to improve legibility and simplified the bezel construction.
The case and signature Rouleaux or “roulette” bracelet have also been redesigned into a more integrated shape intended to sit flatter and more comfortably on the wrist.
Alongside the chronograph, Breitling is introducing a new 40mm time-and-date Chronomat powered by its in-house B31 movement, plus updated 36mm models with slimmer profiles, mother-of-pearl dials and gem-set options.