Breitling has revealed two new members of its Chronomat collection—the Chronomat Automatic GMT 40 and Super Chronomat Automatic 38.
Since its relaunch in 2020, the Chronomat has become a Breitling bestseller. It comes in a range of sizes that includes brawny 44 mm chronographs at one end and trim 32 mm three-hands models at the other. But there’s always been a size gap in the middle, until today.
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Now, Breitling completes the assortment with the unveiling of the new Chronomat Automatic GMT 40 and Super Chronomat Automatic 38, a pair of stylish timepieces with a few tricks up their sleeves.
The Chronomat Automatic GMT 40 swaps the chronograph found on larger models for a dual-time-zone complication and simplified look, while the highlights of the Super Chronomat Automatic 38 series are its oversized diamond bezel and Breitling’s first-ever traceable watch.
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The Chronomat’s story begins with the so-called quartz crisis of the 1970s, when traditional watchmaking went into upheaval following the commercialization of precise and inexpensive quartz movements. But throughout the decade of turmoil that followed, at least one category of consumer remained loyal to mechanical chronographs: pilots. In 1983, Italy’s national aerobatics team, the Frecce Tricolori, partnered with Breitling to create a custom watch for its members that would be tough enough for the cockpit but elegant enough to be worn off duty.
The all-purpose sports watch that emerged did just that while introducing the elements that would become its trademarks: four raised rider tabs at the 15-minute marks to protect the crystal, and a steel rouleaux bracelet designed for comfort and durable wear. The Frecce Tricolori watch caused a sensation when it launched and, a year later, was released to the public as the Chronomat.
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Cities have opened up, a travel-deprived world is eager to get moving again, and, in response, GMT complications are back in a big way. Named for Greenwich Mean Time, the original international time-zone standard, the Chronomat Automatic GMT 40 is Breitling’s tribute to travel—not only for its dual-time-zone display, but also because of its easygoing aesthetics. Subtle dial colours of black, blue, green, anthracite, and white, combined with an all-steel case and bracelet, work with any wardrobe. Breitling went for a tone-on-tone 24-hour scale to let the red GMT hand speak for itself.
The Breitling Caliber 32 powers the GMT complication. Its 24-hour scale lets the user track a second time zone and know at a glance whether it’s day or night while its “onion” crown (a classic Chronomat feature named for its fluted dome shape) provides easy grip. As an all-purpose sports watch the GMT 40 also has an impressive 200-meter water resistance.
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Alternatively, the Super Chronomat Automatic 38 is designed to make a statement, whether paired with a power suit or a T-shirt and jeans. You can tell a “Super” from the rest of the Chronomat family by its ceramic rider tabs and crown, and the rubber rouleaux bracelet only available with this supercharged line.
Along with its enhanced presence, the Automatic 38 also has a radiant side. Oversized lab-grown diamonds make the rounds of its 18 K red gold or stainless-steel bezel while its three dial colours (silver, mint green, and ice blue) add just the right amount of aesthetic flair. Users can match a favorite shade to a choice of rubber rouleaux strap, polished metal rouleaux bracelet, or alligator leather strap.
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The series’ other highlight is Breitling’s first traceable watch, the Super Chronomat Automatic 38 Origins, whose artisanal gold and lab-grown diamonds are sourced according to new, industry-leading standards.
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