Breitling's New Watches for 2024

Breitling will celebrate its 140th anniversary in 2024. Since 17, under CEO Georges Kern, the brand has restructured its collection and is strengthening its presence in the market as a luxury watch brand with modern luxury. In this article, we will introduce Breitling's new models for this year.

New for 2024: Chronomat Giannis Antetokounmpo

　Professional basketball player Giannis Antetokounmpo, a member of the Breitling Squad, has collaborated with Breitling to design the Chronomat.

The limited edition models feature a bold and impactful design that embodies the spirit of Giannis Antetokounmpo, affectionately known as the “Greek Monster,” and the man himself, who plays as a power forward for the Milwaukee Bucks, making use of his physique. Three models are available in two styles: the “Chronomat Automatic GMT 40 Giannis Antetokounmpo,” which is equipped with a GMT function, and the “Chronomat B01 42 Giannis Antetokounmpo,” which is equipped with an in-house automatic chronograph.

　Both models feature a dial color reminiscent of Goodland Green, the color of Giannis Antetokounmpo's team.

　The Chronomat Automatic GMT 40 Giannis Antetokounmpo features a simple dial with a yellow GMT hand. The case and bracelet are made of stainless steel. With a diameter of 40mm and a thickness of 11.77mm, it is a relatively modest model among Chronomat models, making it a model that does not stand out too much, but still has a strong presence.

　In addition to the dial color, the initials "GA (Giannis Antetokounmpo)" at the base of the second hand and his signature on the case back give this piece a special feel.

　The other Chronomat B01 42 Giannis Antetokounmpo model is equipped with Breitling's in-house automatic chronograph movement, Cal. 01. Crafted from 18K red gold, it adds a touch of luxury to the Chronomat's tool-like design. It's available on either a Rouleaux bracelet or a green Rouleaux rubber strap.

　The design of this watch is also unique. The initials "GA" are placed at the base of the chronograph second hand, and the small second hand at 9 o'clock is designed to resemble a basketball. The case back of this watch is transparent.

　The list price including tax is 792,000 yen for the GMT model, 572 million yen for the chronograph bracelet type, and 319 million yen for the rubber strap type. The former is limited to 1750 pieces, and the latter is limited to 250 pieces each. Both will be sold in a special box with a message from Giannis Antetokounmpo himself.

　Breitling has dedicated a Chronomat specifically for Antetokounmpo as a tribute to the "King of the Court." The one-of-a-kind Chronomat features an 18K rose gold case and bracelet, Arabic numeral hour markers, and a green and white dial. This color scheme pays homage to his team and also celebrates the story of how a stateless young man born in Greece became an NBA player. It was also the theme of the 22 film "Rise" and the 24 documentary "The Marvelous Journey."

　Since it is not for sale, it will not be circulated in the watch market. Keep an eye on Giannis Antetokounmpo's wrist when he is courtside or elsewhere.

New for 2024: Chronomat B01 42

　Breitling will celebrate its 140th anniversary in 2024. Under the leadership of Georges Kern, who became CEO in 17, the company has restructured its existing collections to offer models suited to land, sea, and air, or to all fields.

　The Chronomat collection is a collection that covers all fields. Breitling positions it as "Breitling's all-purpose watch that meets all your needs, whether at home, on the red carpet, or at the beach."

　The Chronomat collection was produced in 1983 for the Italian Air Force's acrobatic flying team, the Frecce Tricolori, and was launched for the general public the following year, 84, on the brand's 100th anniversary. For a long time, the Chronomat may have had a strong image of being "massive" and "heavy." However, in recent years, elegant models for women have also been added to the collection. However, this year's new design is as massive as the traditional Chronomat. At the same time, the use of titanium material gives it a light and airy feel.

　The new titanium Chronomat B01 42 is available with a Rouleaux bracelet and a rubber strap model that mimics the Rouleaux bracelet. The Rouleaux bracelet, featuring the distinctive tubular parts seen on early Chronomat models, was reissued in 2020. The lightweight titanium construction promises a more comfortable fit.

　Fans will appreciate the fact that the iconic Chronomat design remains the same, with an onion-shaped crown and a bezel with rider tabs. Meanwhile, the anthracite dial and ice blue chronograph seconds hand create a sophisticated impression.

　The watch is equipped with the Cal. 01 automatic chronograph movement. This is one of Breitling's core movements, boasting excellent performance such as COSC-certified chronometer accuracy, a power reserve of approximately 70 hours, and no calendar operation prohibition time zones. Coupled with its high water resistance of 200m, this chronograph is a reliable companion.

　The price including tax is 1,633,500 yen for the Rouleaux bracelet model and 1,303,500 yen for the rubber strap model. When I held this model in my hands before the announcement, I was surprised by its lightness, which overturned my image of the heavy Chronomat. I would encourage readers to try out the actual watch.

New for 2024: Super Chronomat B01 44

　The new model, the Super Chronomat B01 44, is more massive and bold. Its 44mm case features a large rotating bezel that looks easy to operate, but its use of titanium also makes it a lightweight model.

The Super Chronomat was added to the collection in 21. It is the first Chronomat model to feature a ceramic bezel insert, which not only provides excellent scratch and corrosion resistance, but also adds a modern touch to the Chronomat's design, which has a strong tool-like feel.

　The movement used is the automatic chronograph Cal. 01, the same as the Chronomat B01 42 mentioned above.

　The price including tax is 1,771,000 yen for the Rouleaux bracelet model and 1,441,000 yen for the rubber strap model.

New for 2024: Aerospace B70 Orbiter

　The Aerospace is a hybrid quartz digital-analog watch with an LCD display in addition to hour and minute hands. Since its introduction in 1985, it has enjoyed strong support from Breitling, a brand whose mainstream focus was on mechanical chronographs.

　Aerospace has added a new model with a distinctive orange dial: the Aerospace B70 Orbiter.

　This model commemorates the 25th anniversary of the first non-stop circumnavigation of the globe by balloon. This feat was achieved in 99 by balloonists Bertrand Piccard and Brian Jones in a Breitling Orbiter 3. Breitling was a sponsor of the flight, which led to the release of a special edition Aerospace B70 Orbiter.

　Due to this history, the orange dial color of this watch follows the Orbiter 3 capsule. A portion of the balloon that flew around the world is actually housed on the case back. The mission logo and the words "First non-stop flight around the world 25th anniversary" are engraved in the center, giving the watch a truly special feel.

　It's also worth noting that this is a new Aerospace model. While the style hasn't changed much from the previous Aerospace Evo, with features like a digital-analog combination and a bezel with rider tabs, the new model features a titanium case and bracelet. While maintaining its robust appearance, the weight has been reduced to just 109 grams.

　The Breitling wing logo, which is symbolic of Breitling, is placed at the 12 o'clock position, and the Mission logo is placed prominently on the dial. Furthermore, the indexes have been changed from Arabic numerals at 12, 3, 6, and 9 to Arabic numerals at all times.

　The watch is equipped with the Cal. B70 movement, a COSC-certified Super Quartz movement that boasts approximately 10 times the precision of a typical quartz watch. The two displays include a 1/100th of a second chronograph with split time and flyback function, a countdown timer, a second time zone, two alarms, a lap function, and a perpetual calendar, making it suitable for a variety of uses.

　What's also pleasing is that despite being a commemorative model and made of titanium, the list price is 643,500 yen, which is only about 33,000 yen more expensive than the previous model.

New for 2024: Navitimer Automatic GMT 41

　The new releases from the Navitimer collection, which has also supported timekeeping in the sky, are also noteworthy. This collection does not feature the chronograph, which has long been an icon of the Navitimer, but instead includes a new model with a GMT function that can display a second time zone using the 24-hour hand.

　Although it is simpler because it does not have a chronograph, it still features another Navitimer icon, the aviation slide rule, so it is instantly recognizable as part of this collection.The notched bezel and five-link bracelet are also typical of the Navitimer.

　On the other hand, the lineup includes models with modern colors, such as a refreshing blue dial and a deep green dial, and these new models can be said to add a fun touch to the Navitimer lineup.

New for 2024: Navitimer Automatic 41

　A new model has also been added to the simple three-hand Navitimer model: the Navitimer Automatic 41, with a 41mm case. Until now, the lineup has consisted of basic models in 36mm and 32mm diameters, but this model has an even greater presence on the wrist.

　The new Navitimer Automatic 41 also features a modern colored dial. The lineup includes not only stainless steel models, but also models in a stainless steel and 18K rose gold combination, as well as a substantial 18K rose gold model, suggesting that Breitling has become a brand that attracts an even wider range of users.

New for 2024: Cosmonaut B12

　Over its 140-year history, Breitling watches have supported a wide variety of situations, including those in harsh environments. The Cosmonaut is one such watch. It was carried on space exploration as part of NASA's Mercury mission in 1962. At the request of astronaut Scott Carpenter, a member of the mission, Breitling modified the Navitimer design for space exploration. He was already a Breitling fan and had been impressed by the Navitimer's calculation functions.

　The resulting Cosmonaut featured a 24-hour display on its dial, allowing the wearer to distinguish between day and night in space. It also featured a voluminous rotating bezel, making it easy to operate even while wearing gloves. He later took this watch on a mission on May 24, 1962.

　To mark its 140th anniversary, Breitling has released a limited edition model of the Cosmonaut: the Cosmonaut B12.

　This model features an 18K red gold case paired with a deep green dial. The inset dial is black, creating a "panda"-style dial that is sure to catch your eye. The gold-colored indices are not buried in the dial, ensuring good legibility. The use of red as an accent color gives the cosmonaut, which evokes space, a racy impression.

　It should be noted that 24-hour watches are by no means common. For watches with a standard 12-hour display, the dials are too small to accommodate 24 indices, and the position of the hands tends to shift when the 12-hour display is changed to 24-hour display. The Cosmonauts, however, are a rare and mature collection, offering a glimpse into the advanced watchmaking techniques that Breitling has cultivated over its 140-year history.

　The movement is the Cal. B12. It is a COSC-certified automatic movement with a power reserve of approximately 70 hours. The transparent case back allows you to see the Breitling logo, the rotor decorated with Côtes de Genève stripes, and the chronograph mechanism. Other engravings include "One of 250," indicating that this is a limited edition of 250 pieces, as well as "FIRST SWISS WRISTWATCH IN SPACE" and "MAY 24th 1962."