Jewellery & Watch News
Continuing to instil their admirable ideals of precision, performance and reliability, Breitling have partnered up with the Royal Air Force for the second time in twelve months to bring us a new Red Arrows Limited Edition from their Chronomat collection. The exclusive 160-piece chronograph bears the distinctive Diamond Nine formation motif on the dial set against a backdrop dressed in the RAF’s signature blue colour.
Breitling’s history with the Royal Air Force can be traced back to the 1930’s when the luxury Swiss watchmaker created onboard chronographs especially for RAF aircrafts. Since then, Breitling have produced an extensive range of timepieces for the wrists of military and RAF squadrons alongside a series of special and limited edition RAF-inspired watches for the public. In 2017, Breitling celebrated the centenary of the Royal Air Forces’ foundation with the RAF100 Anniversary collection and then just last year, we saw the release of the Avenger Red Arrows Limited Edition. Again, Breitling denote their status as the only luxury watch brand permitted to use the aerial team’s emblem with the new Breitling Chronomat Red Arrows watch which beautifully underscores the operational excellence of the Red Arrows with the Diamond Nine taking centre stage of the dial in replacement to the Breitling logo.
The legendary colourway of the RAF continues through the dial with a blue tone-on-tone finish with black snailed subsidiary counters, a matching black internal tachymeter scale and bold red detailing on the central chronograph seconds hand. While the Red Arrows formation sits rightfully in the limelight, the Breitling “B” is subtly included on the bottom end of the chronograph seconds hand. Delivering optimal legibility for when you’re on land and in the skies, the dial of the Breitling Chronomat Red Arrows Limited Edition also comes adorned with Superluminova accents on the hour and minute hands, tip of the chronograph seconds hand, applied indexes and bezel marker.
Other than the dial and the beautifully embellished case back which for the first time features the Royal Air Force insignia in full colour, the Breitling Chronomat Red Arrows watch follows closely in line with the rest of the Breitling Chronomat B01 42 watch collection. Inspired by the original Chronomat Frecce Tricolori chronograph launched in 1983, the new series of Chronomat watches bring to life the reinstated vintage Rouleaux bracelet and interchangeable rider tabs on the bezel. The Rouleaux bracelet in particular has become an icon in itself, fully transforming the sports watch into a vintage wonder. The rifle-shell style links are bound together by polished inner links which blend seamlessly into the lugs and the 42mm stainless steel case.
The Breitling Chronomat Red Arrows Limited Edition is also home to the statement unidirectional bezel with interchangeable tabs at positions 15 and 45. This interesting feature allows the wearer to count up or count down depending on the task in question. It’s ratcheted profile is also perfectly designed for pilots wearing thick gloves and decorated with a 60 minute scale. This scale, alongside its screw in crown, sapphire crystal glass and 200 metre water resistant rating allows the Breitling Chronomat Red Arrows Limited Edition to be more than just a pilots watch, but a diving instrument too.
Through the sapphire crystal case back, the Breitling Chronomat Red Arrows watch offers a glimpse into the Breitling Manufacture Calibre 01 movement. The in-house mechanical calibre performs at a rate of 28,800 vibrations per hour, provides a power reserve of 70 hours and comes equipped with 46 jewels. As with all Breitling watches, the Red Arrows Limited Edition is COSC certified to deliver an accuracy of -4 to +6 seconds per day. Th column wheel and vertical clutch chronograph movement also delivers a 1/4th of a second feature at 9H, a 30-minute chronograph function at 3H and a 12-hour totalizer at 6H.
The Breitling Chronomat Red Arrows is a limited edition of 160 pieces as marked by the words “ONE OF 160” on the case back. This number was chosen specifically to commemorate the 160 pilots that have flown and served in the Red Arrows since its founding. The piece will retail at £6,900 and is available to order on the C W Sellors website today. For more information on the Breitling Chronomat Red Arrows Limited Edition and the interest free finance and free next day delivery available, get in touch on 01335 453453 or at sales@cwsellors.com.
Specifications: Breitling Chronomat Red Arrows Limited Edition Watch (AB01347A1C1A1)
- Case Size: 42mm
- Case Material: Stainless steel
- Bezel: Unidirectional with rider tabs
- Glass: Convex sapphire crystal with double anti-reflective treatment
- Case Back: Screwed, sapphire crystal
- Crown: Screw-locked, two gaskets
- Water Resistance: 200 metres
- Movement: Breitling Manufacture Calibre 01
- COSC: Yes
- Functions: Hours, minutes, chronograph seconds, small seconds, 30 minutes counter, 12 hours counter, date
- Power Reserve: 70 hours
- Jewels: 47
- Frequency: 28,800vph
- Dial: Blue with black chronograph counters and Superluminova indexes and hands
- Strap: “Rouleaux” stainless steel bracelet
- Buckle: Butterfly
- RRP: £6,900
- Limited Edition: 160 pieces
- Release Date: Available now
