Breitling Celebrates 140 Years With Three New Watches
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La Chaux-de-Fonds is the land of the Big Watch Brands. And back in June, I visited the Swiss city, together with some peers, to toast to Breitling's 140th anniversary.
Three Very Important Watches awaited our arrival: super special variants of the brand's Premier, Navitimer and Chronomat styles. Evidently, they had all received the same memo as they came dressed to the party in the same shiny rose gold (sorry, “red gold”). Each also flaunted an exhibition caseback that showcased their gold rotors engraved with an outline of the Breitling's Montbrillant Manufactory. A back tattoo, if you will.
Their new looks were to be kept under wraps. Until today, that is – their official launch day.
So, without further ado, allow me to acquaint you to this celebratory triad of wristwear, each of which is equipped with an ingenious new caliber – Caliber B19 – that promises a century of precision.
The Premier B19 Datora 42 140th Anniversary
81 has never looked so good (except for maybe on Mick Jagger). The 140th Anniversary Premier's secrets? Some 18kt red gold, and some alligator leather (so, same as Jagger).
And the best bit is that it's still recognisable; it resembles the youngling that “took the chronograph out of the cockpit and into society” back in 1943. The Arabic numerals, the contrasting minutes scale, the signature square pushers – it's all in tact.
The Navitimer B19 Chronograph 43 Perpetual Calendar 140th Anniversary
Looking just as good for the big 140 is the Navitimer, which you might know from that time it was the first Swiss wristwatch in space. If you were around in 1962, that is. Admittedly, I wasn't.
Anyway, same elixir of youth as the Anniversary Premier: alligator leather; 18kt red gold. And, of course, it's complete with a slide rule – the defining feature of the design.
The Super Chronomat B19 44 Perpetual Calendar 140th Anniversary
A red gold Chronomat – a model that has its origins in another anniversary: Breitling's 100th (1984) – rounds off the trio. For the occasion, it sports a rubber take on the brand's steel Rouleaux bracelet. And better than that, it has stripped down to a skeletonized dial (for the very first time in 40 years!).
Breitling's 140th-anniversary watches are available from today in Breitling boutiques and on the brand's webstore. Each is priced at £48,000 and comes presented in a wooden watch box that be configured to display three timepieces (gotta catch 'em all!).
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