entered the elite circle of watch movement manufacturers at this year's Basel fair by unveiling its first movement entirely developed and made in-house.
The movement, which was the culmination of a long-running quest for performance, finds its new home in the Chronomat B01.
The brand's role in the history of the chronograph is well documented. The founder's son, Gaston Breitling, came up with the idea of creating a push-piece for the start, stop and reset functions. The watchmaker continued to improve the push-piece function with the creation of separate buttons for different functions. Forty years ago, launched its first self-winding chronograph movement.
The marks another milestone in Breitling's history. Functions of the calibre include a 70-hour power reserve and instant date-change calendar. It also has a device for resetting hammers, which eliminates the need for a correction by a watchmaker.
Breitling adapted hi-tech concepts used in other industries to assemble the movement: each calibre is placed in a 'shuttle', monitored by a computer and automatically directed to the next appropriate work station - both automated stations and those which require manual work. By the end of the assembly line, the movement is ready for COSC testing.
Breitling used sturdiness, water tightness and shock resistance as its quality markers for the watch, which was designed to withstand the extreme traction that occurs in diving and flying. The case - in steel or gold - underwent a lengthy cold-stamping process under high pressure to add to its robust consistency. Corrosion-resistant alloys were used for steel components, while the crown, push-pieces and screwed-in backs give the watch water resistance to 500 metres. Oversized hands and hour-markers with luminescent coating ensure optimal readability.
Design details include engraved numerals with a matt finish against a polished bezel and dials with a gridwork pattern and a matt or metallic finish. Four versions are available, including steel with gold, all-steel and all-gold.
In the Breitling for Bentley collection, there are three new chronographs: the Bentley Speed, Bentley Motors T Speed and Bentley 6.75 Speed.
Common design features include chromed steel rings, inspired by the dashboards of the Bentley car, and knurled or engine-turned motifs on the bezel.
Other features include a 30-second chronograph on the Bentley Motors Speed and Bentley Motors T Speed models, enabling a read-off to within one-eighth of a second.
The Bentley 6.75 Speed - named after the 6.75-litre engine of Bentley's Arnage models - has 30-minute and 12-hour chronograph counters and a small seconds counter, plus a large aperture calendar. Other design details on this model include a knurled bezel and a five-spoke motif on the case back inspired by the design of the wheel rims on British cars. The watch is available in steel and a limited number (675) in red gold.
All three models are equipped with Breitling's variable tachometer, which when used with the chronograph enables the user to measure average speed regardless of the time elapsed, the distance covered or the speed reached.
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