Breitling continues its ‘140 Years of Firsts’ celebration with the debut of its first exclusive perpetual calendar chronograph movement, Caliber B19. To mark this milestone, Breitling has released limited 140th-anniversary editions of three flagship models: the Premier, Navitimer, and Chronomat. Each timepiece is equipped with the sophisticated Caliber B19, promising nearly a century of precision without major adjustments and an impressive 96-hour power reserve.
The cases of the 140th-anniversary models are crafted from 18k red gold. The Premier B19 Datora 42 has a 42mm case with a thickness of 15.6mm and a height of 50.03mm, providing water resistance up to 10 bars (100 meters). The Navitimer B19 Chronograph 43 features a 43mm case with a thickness of 15.62mm and a height of 49.07mm, offering water resistance up to 3 bars (30 meters). Lastly, the Super Chronomat B19 44 has a 44mm case with a thickness of 15.35mm and a height of 53.5mm, with water resistance up to 10 bars (100 meters). All cases include cambered sapphire crystals glareproofed on both sides and gold screw-down casebacks with an exhibition window.
The dials of these anniversary editions vary in design but maintain a cohesive aesthetic. The Premier B19 Datora 42 features a black dial with tone-on-tone chronograph counters and luminescent hour and minute hands. The Navitimer B19 Chronograph 43 stands out with its 18k red gold dial and Super-LumiNova luminescent indexes and hands.
The Super Chronomat B19 44 offers a dramatic gray skeletonized dial with black sapphire chronograph counters and luminescent hour and minute hands. Each dial is complemented by Breitling’s meticulous attention to detail and functionality, ensuring easy readability and a stylish appearance.
At the heart of these limited editions is the new Breitling Manufacture Caliber B19. The basis for this is the B01 movement, on which a calendar module was built. This movement is Breitling’s first perpetual calendar chronograph mechanism, featuring an automatic winding system with bidirectional ball bearings and a 22k red gold rotor engraved with the historic Montbrillant Manufactory. The Caliber B19 has a diameter of 30mm, a depth of 8.53mm, and consists of 374 components. It offers a power reserve of approximately 96 hours and a balance frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz). Its chronograph functionality includes a column-wheel and vertical clutch, ensuring precise timekeeping and durability. The perpetual calendar automatically adjusts for leap years and months with varying days, requiring no major adjustments for nearly a century.
Each of these limited-edition watches is paired with a strap that complements its luxurious design. The Premier B19 Datora 42 comes with a black alligator leather strap with tone-on-tone topstitching and an 18k red gold folding buckle. The Navitimer B19 Chronograph 43 features a black alligator leather strap with contrasting topstitching and an 18k red gold folding buckle. The Super Chronomat B19 44 is equipped with a Rouleaux-inspired rubber strap and an 18k red gold folding clasp, adding a sporty yet refined touch.
The limited 140th-anniversary editions of Breitling’s Premier, Navitimer, and Chronomat models will be available through select Breitling boutiques and authorised retailers. These exclusive collector’s items come in a luxurious suede-lined wooden box, complete with a drawer for storage, a removable travel pouch, and a deluxe edition of the book ‘Breitling: 140 Years in 140 Stories.’
