Breitling Chronomat Review
Breitling is almost a synonymous of chronograph, and in 2009, Breitling has officially launched the Breitling Chronomat B01 with their latest in-house automatic-winding chronograph movement, better known as Caliber B01. This Breitling watch will be available at only 30 retailers in North America, with more retailers coming online quickly. As of mid-2009, about 2000 pieces had been manufactured. Manufacture will finally reach about 50,000 pieces per annum.
The Breitling Chronomat B01 has been designed for approximately 5 years, and its launch coincides with the company's 125th anniversary. The movement incorporates a column-wheel switching device and a vertical clutch, two hallmarks of a well-made chronograph. The vertical clutch assures that the chronograph seconds hand does not jump when the chronograph is busy. The Chronomat B01 has central chronograph seconds, nonstop seconds at nine, and a jumping 30 minute totalizer at three. The instant-change date is positioned at 4:30. The date can be modified at any time, even near midnight. The movement includes a patented mechanism for adjusting the start, stop and reset hammers. The 47 jewel movement uses a smooth hairspring and a flat balance wheel. A single barrel brings 70 hours of power reserve. The Chronomat B01 ticks along at 28,800 vph, and as with all Breitlings, the Chronomat B01 is of course COSC-certified.
At Basel in Switzerland, Breitling's VP Jean-Paul Girardin said that the company decided to manufacture Caliber B01 to satisfy market demand for a production movement, and to guarantee Breitling's future. The organization felt that it must have a stable supply of mechanical chronograph movements, as this type of watch accounts for 55% of Breitling's gross sales.
The Chronomat B01 measures exactly 43.only 5mm in diameter and it will be available on 4 version: all steel, steel and gold, steel bezerl and solid gold (18K). That's a total of 18 different dials. The unidirectional bezel turns easily with 240 teeth. The steel and two-tone ones are water resistant to 500 meters, while the all-gold model can be only taken down to 100 meters.
The Chronomat B01 starts at approximately $6500 for a steel model on a leather strap, while the opening price for the two-tone edition on a bracelet is $7770. An all-gold model on a strap will start at a high $21,610. The B01 tops out at $44,125 for the red gold and diamond version on a magnificent red gold bracelet.
Mail this post