Breitling just finished their first webcast, where CEO Georges Kern introduced this novelties for 2020. The new watches – a new Navitimer in 35mm, a complete new Chronomat collection with B01 movement and the Superocean Heritage 57 Capsule Collection.
We managed to catch the collection to photograph and have valuable hands-on time in early April, before Singapore went into a semi-lockdown mode due to the COVID-19 pandemic. And will be featuring the watches in full hands on reviews from next week. In the meantime, here is the summary.
Breitling Navitimer Automatic 35
The new Breitling is now presented as a 35 millimeter Navitimer Automatic, designed for women of style, action, and purpose. Reflecting more than 65 years of history, the modern take with the personality of Breitlings of the 1950s.
The Breitling Navitimer Automatic 35 is offered with a choice of colorful dials, a mother-of-pearl dial set with diamonds, and alligator leather straps, these stunning new models have been designed for the cosmopolitan, stylish woman on the go. With a high-performance mechanical movement at its heart. The Navitimer Automatic 35 takes the design inspiration from the Navitimer Ref. 806.
“With the Navitimer Automatic 35, we have created a watch that reflects what women have been telling us: They’ve asked for a stylish, smaller Navitimer that doesn’t sacrifice heritage or functionality. It needed to be recreated just for women and suitable for any occasion. With different cases and strap options, we’ve introduced exactly what modern women look for in a watch, even those who may not have previously considered wearing a Breitling.”
Breitling CEO Georges Kern
The Navitimer Automatic 35 is available in four different versions in SS, SS with MOP dial, a two-tone SS and red gold and a solid red gold version. Each powered by the Breitling Caliber 17, which delivers a power reserve of about 38 hours. Like all Breitling watches, they are COSC-certified chronometers, an independent confirmation of their precision.
Breitling Chronomat Collection
“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.”
Georges Kern
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 that delivers an impressive power reserve of about 70 hours. It is worth noting that, when Breitling launched its in-house Manufacture Caliber 01 more than ten years ago, it was introduced in the Chronomat 01.
The hands of every Chronomat B01 42 are coated with Super-LumiNova®, a luminescent material that enhances legibility in all lighting conditions. All of the models except for the Chronomat Frecce Tricolori Limited Edition have a red chronograph second hand, which also contributes to easy readability. Like all Breitling watches, the Chronomats are COSC-certified chronometers, an independent confirmation of their precision. All of the models are water-resistant to 20 bar (200 meters).
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.
A special limited editon of 250 pieces, the Breitling 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.
The Chronomat B01 42 in two tones, with 18 k red gold crown and pushers and a bezel with 18 k red gold rider tabs, numerals, and indexes. The two-tone model features either an elegant blue dial with tone-on-tone chronograph counters or an anthracite dial with black contrasting chronograph counters.
Finally, there is also a Chronomat B01 42 in a 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.
Breitling Superocean 57 Cabinet Collection
Breitling’s Capsule Collections are produced for a limited time and consequently in a limited volume, but the watches are not numbered. They give the brand a chance to tell specific stories rooted in the history of its core collection, and the Breitling Superocean Heritage ’57 Capsule Collection watches definitely have their own stories to tell.
The Superocean Heritage ’57 Capsule Collection is available with two dial options. One has a classic black dial and is presented on a black vintage-inspired leather strap with a pin or folding buckle, while the other has a blue dial and is equipped with a brown vintage-inspired leather strap with a pin or folding buckle. Of course, both are also available with an integrated Ocean Classic stainless-steel bracelet with a butterfly clasp. There is also a two-tone version featuring a bidirectional rotating bezel in 18 k red gold with a black ceramic ring. This watch has a black dial and is available with either a gold-brown vintage-inspired leather strap or an Ocean Classic stainless-steel bracelet with a butterfly clasp.
One of the standout design features of this model is its bidirectional concave stainless-steel bezel with an ultrahard scratch- and shock-resistant ceramic bezel ring, whose luminescent dot at the 12 o’clock position is an ideal feature for a dive watch. The timepieces in the Superocean Heritage ’57 Capsule Collection are powered by the Breitling Caliber 10, which offers a power reserve of approximately 42 hours. Like all Breitling watches, they are COSC-certified chronometers, an independent confirmation of their precision and performance.
