The new Breitling Super Chronomat: The return of the king?
Some may consider the boom of the Chronomat model series to be a peculiar period, even though it is precisely this series that is responsible for Breitling's great popularity among laymen. Today, we have the new SUPER CHRONOMAT, which is (once again) finding its place among true fans of Swiss manufacturing.
The middle ground between extravagance and conservatism
The Chronomat series saw the light of day in 1984, and its launch can be viewed from two perspectives. On the one hand, it was a model introduced in honor of the 100th anniversary of the brand's founding and confirmation of its leading position in the world of chronographs.& nbsp;On the other hand, the Chronomat model with an automatic chronograph was a symbolic breath of fresh air for traditional Swiss watchmaking after a decade of oppression under the dominance of Japanese battery-powered watches and the quartz crisis.
The Chronomat model has undergone numerous changes over the years, and its current appearance was unveiled in 2017 by the current CEO of Breitling, Georges Kern.
The Chronomat represented the pinnacle of Breitling's sports watch range, primarily because it was fitted with manufacture calibers 01 to 04. Let's say you found the Super Avenger too vulgar. You wanted a more refined movement under the hood, so the Chronomat was the number one choice. Sure, you could have gone for the Transocean or Navitimer series, but their specific design could have seemed conservative and, at the time, not very bombastic. We are talking about a time when Breitling watches were bought by a certain group of people who were more or less only interested in showing off. Fortunately, those days are behind us.
Breitling Super Chronomat
Today, we have the latest additions to the current Chronomat collection: the SUPER CHRONOMAT. It has such a bombastic name because the previous edition had a diameter of "only" 42 mm. Customers, and I personally, longed for a larger size. It's not that I like large watches just for their size, but because Breitling's current range did not offer a sufficiently "powerful" model. A model that would be the pinnacle of the range.
And so the watchmakers from La Chaux-de-Fonds and Grenchen (Breitling's headquarters) are serving us a model with the DNA of the brand that we were once accustomed to, but which has been absent for a long time in terms of history and exceptional watchmaking sensibility.
Breitling Super Chronomat B01 44
The Breitling Super Chronomat has a case diameter of 44 mm, a B01 manufacture caliber, a ceramic bezel, and water resistance to 200 meters. nbsp;This edition consists of two steel models with blue and black dials. You can choose between a steel Rouleaux bracelet or a rubber strap inspired by its steel counterpart with a folding clasp. What's more, the rubber strap no longer needs to be cut; you can simply adjust it like a classic buckle. FINALLY!!!
Super Chronomat B01 44 Red Gold
For more discerning customers, Breitling has introduced the Super Chronomat with a brown dial, brown ceramic bezel, and red gold. This model is currently only available with a rubber strap and gold folding clasp.
Super Chronomat 44 Four-Year Calendar
For me, the most attractive model is the Super Chronomat with a 4-year calendar and moon phase. I haven't held a watch with this caliber in my hands for a very long time. It is not a Breitling manufacture movement, but a modified movement with a calendar superstructure. This is why this model is the only new model that does not have the standard 200-meter water resistance, but "only" 100 meters. nbsp;Although, compared to previous models, it lacks a manufacture movement with a three-day power reserve and a five-year warranty, I like this model the most in terms of appearance. It is only available in a two-tone version, and the delightful moon phase at the 3 o'clock position adds a touch of uniqueness to the watch.
I want it!
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