Breitling Chronomat 44 GMT “Patrouille Suisse 50th Anniversary”


Breitling Chronomat 44 GMT Patrouille Suisse 50th Anniversary The year 2014 marks two milestones in aviation history: the 100th anniversary of the Swiss Air Force and the 50th anniversary of the “Patrouille Suisse” aerobatics team. Breitling, a Swiss watch brand renowned for its pilots’ watches and close ties to aviation, marks the latter anniversary with a limited-edition version of its Breitling Chronomat 44 GMT watch.

The Breitling Chronomat 44 GMT “Patrouille Suisse 50th Anniversary,” which is limited to 1,000 pieces worldwide, is the product of Breitling’s longstanding partnership with the Patrouille Suisse, a which began in 1964 with the formation of an aerobatics team by professional air force pilots. At first composed of just four planes and performing only in Switzerland, the team expanded to six planes and began performing internationally in 1978. Today, it is one of the rare aerobatics teams on supersonic jets, flying six American F-5E Tiger II fighters decked out in the red-and-white colors of the Swiss flag.

The watch’s onyx black dial features a black subdial at 9 o’clock bearing the flight team logo, and the center-mounted GMT hour hand, which displays a second time zone on a 24-hour scale, is tipped with the silhouette of red F-5E Tiger II plane. The caseback is engraved with the official Patrouille Suisse 50th Anniversary logo and the limited-edition series number.

This version of the Breitling Chronomat 44 is powered by Breitling’s in-house, automatic B04 caliber, which features a 1/4-second chronograph — with 30-minute and 12-hour counters — as well as a dual-time-zone function. The 24-hour scale on the ratcheted, bidirectional-rotating bezel, with inlaid rubber numerals, can be used to indicate a third time zone. The movement is certified as a chronometer by COSC and offers a high frequency (28,000 vph) and a power reserve of more than 70 hours.

The brushed, stainless steel case measures 44 mm in diameter and is water-resistant to 200 meters, thanks in part to its screw-locked crown and push-pieces. The Breitling Chronomat 44 GMT “Patrouille Suisse 50th Anniversary” is available on a rubber Diver Pro strap or on Breitling’s familiar steel Pilot bracelet. The price: $10,100.

Breitling Chronomat 44 GMT Patrouille Suisse 50th Anniversary

Breitling Chronomat 44 GMT Patrouille Suisse 50th Anniversary - dial CU
Breitling Chronomat 44 GMT Patrouille Suisse 50th Anniversary - back
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  1. Barbara May

    I bought this watch and it keeps stopping. I hate to sound stupid, but i know nothing about watches, how is it powered?? battery???

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