Breitling Marks 140th Anniversary With Several Notable Releases

Breitling is celebrating its momentous 140th anniversary this year, an astonishing milestone by any measure. To mark the occasion in trademark Breitling style, the renowned Swiss watchmaker has promised an exciting, year-long journey of homage and innovation, revisiting and reimagining some of the iconic models that have shaped its rich heritage. With a legacy steeped in precision, innovation, and a relentless pursuit of excellence, Breitling’s celebratory retrospective not only honours its storied past but also underscores its unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of horological craftsmanship. With that in mind, we are delighted to highlight here for you today not one but three exciting new releases from Breitling, including the just unveiled Super Chronomat and Chronomat Titanium. All models are available from Watches of Switzerland now, read on for all the important details.

Breitling Navitimer GMT and Navitimer 41

A pioneer in aviation timekeeping for more than a century, Breitling secured its legacy amongst the greats with the launch of the iconic Navitimer in 1952, revolutionizing air travel with its innovative circular slide rule for critical in-flight calculations. Renowned as the original wrist-worn onboard computer, the Navitimer not only became essential equipment for pilots but also captured the admiration of trendsetters like Miles Davis and Serge Gainsbourg, transcending into a symbol of both aviation prowess and pop culture.

To ensure the collection remains fit for purpose in the 21st-Century, Breitling began redesigning the Navitimer line in 2022, starting with the original chronograph. The update continues here with two new pared-down executions: a GMT and a three-hand Automatic, each in a universally wearable 41-mm size. These modern interpretations preserve the essence of the Navitimer’s iconic design while introducing contemporary elements like notched bezels, alternating polished and brushed finishes, and a versatile colour palette of black, blue, silver, ice blue, and green dials. Importantly, the central placement of the 24-hour scale on the GMT and the Automatic’s clean face ensure the intricate slide rule stands out while streamlining the overall aesthetic of each piece.

Both models are offered in your choice of stainless steel or 18 k red gold, with an additional two-tone variant available for the Automatic. The full-gold versions carry the Origins label, signifying responsibly mined gold in line with the Swiss Better Gold Association’s environmental and social standards, underscoring Breitling’s commitment to sustainability and craftsmanship. Completing the look are straps in alligator leather and bracelets with seamless butterfly clasps, delivering both comfort and convenience.

Breitling Aerospace B70 Orbiter

Celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Aerospace B70 Orbiter, this special edition pays homage to the iconic Orbiter 3 capsule with its vibrant orange dial. Epitomizing Breitling’s commitment to innovation and precision, it features the newly designed COSC-certified Breitling Manufacture Caliber B70. A thermo-compensated SuperQuartz™ analog and digital display movement delivering unparalleled accuracy, it boasts 10 times the precision of a standard quartz watch and offers wearers a comprehensive suite of functions tailored for demanding missions. From a 1/100th of a second chronograph with split-time and flyback capabilities to a countdown timer, second timezone, two alarms, lap function, and perpetual calendar, this watch is a reliable companion for any adventure.

Available with either a titanium bracelet or a black rubber strap featuring a folding clasp, the watch boasts the Breitling Orbiter 3 mission logo positioned at 3 o’clock on the dial. Enhanced with luminescent Super-LumiNova® coating, the numerals, indexes, and hands ensure optimal legibility even in dimly lit environments. Crafted from titanium, renowned for its strength-to-weight ratio, non-magnetic properties, and resistance to corrosion, both the case and optional bracelet offer wearers a durable and comfortable timepiece, designed to withstand the rigors of any mission.

Turning the piece over allows for a glimpse of the history captured within its transparent caseback: a segment of the original Breitling Orbiter 3 balloon. Engraved with the Breitling Orbiter 3 mission logo and the inscription “First non-stop flight around the world 25th anniversary,” the caseback serves as a poignant reminder of this groundbreaking achievement.

Breitling Super Chronomat and Chronomat Titanium

Considered by many to be Breitling’s “original” tool watch, the Chronomat came to market in 1941 and was the first model to feature Breitling’s revolutionary slide rule. A complete overhaul of the model in the 1980s based on a special edition designed for the Frecce Tricolori (the highly regarded aerobatic demonstration team of the Italian Air Force) saw it reborn as a robust yet stylish timekeeper synonymous with rugged durability and high-performance chronograph functionality. Updated again in 2020, the modern Chronomat is Breitling’s all-purpose watch for your every pursuit.

Soon after it was joined by the Super Chronomat, which as the name suggests is a super-sized version of the original but with some distinct differences. Most notable of these are its ceramic inserts, which can be found on the bezel, on the chronograph pushers, and on the crown. Both models feature unidirectional bezels with the characteristic rider tabs, and both are powered by Breitling’s self-winding Manufacture Calibre 01, delivering 70 hours of power reserve and backed by a 5-year warranty.

Now the Chronomat 42mm and the Super Chronomat 44mm, are available in super lightweight titanium with your choice of a rubber rouleaux strap with titanium folding buckle or a titanium rouleaux bracelet with butterfly clasp.

Available Now From Watches Of Switzerland

Watches of Switzerland is proud to be an official brand partner of Breitling in Australia. The models discussed above are available now both online and in selected boutiques around Australia. To enquire about the possibility of viewing and/or purchasing one or more of these pieces, please contact us today.