WATCH TO WATCH

A Classy Chassis: Breitling for Bentley GT Dark Sapphire Edition


Breitling introduced its proprietary case material, Breitlight, on the Avenger Hurricane watch in 2016, and has used the high-tech alloy in several other models since. Now the brand brings Breitlight to its automotive-influenced Breitling for Bentley family – on a watch that pays tribute to the British marque’s new Continental GT automobile: the Bentley GT “Dark Sapphire” Edition.

Breitling for Bentley GT Dark Sapphire Edition - reclining

The watch, which is limited to 500 pieces, made its debut at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show, alongside the vehicle that inspired it, Bentley’s third-generation Continental Grand Touring model, with a new six-liter W12 TSI engine, state-of-the-art onboard equipment, and a refined, hand-crafted interior. Like all Breitling for Bentley watches — the fruits of a decade-plus partnership between the Swiss watch brand and the luxury carmaker — it bears design influences drawn from Bentley cars.

The 48-mm-diameter case is constructed of Breitlight — a high-tech material that Breitling says is four times lighter than titanium but significantly harder. Among its other listed attributes are exceptional resistance to scratches, traction, and corrosion; thermal stability; and antimagnetic and non-allergenic properties, in addition to being warmer to the touch than other metals and, aesthetically, having a black-streaked surface texture, which here takes on an intriguing bluish shimmer reminiscent of the car’s “dark sapphire” livery.

Breitling for Bentley GT Dark Sapphire Edition - soldier

Continuing the specific Bentley-influenced design touches, the dial features a diamond motif that echoes the look of the Continental GT’s dashboard controls and interior. The subdials at 3, 6, and 9 o’clock, and the sweeping central hand — identify this watch as one of Breitling’s “30-second” chronograph models, which use a system — inspired by a 1926 Breitling patent — in which the central hand makes a complete sweep around the dial in only half a minute, thus ensuring elapsed time readings to 1/8 second. Fifteen elapsed chronograph minutes are tallied on the subdial at 3 o’clock and six elapsed hours on the register at 6 o’clock, while running  seconds are displayed at 9 o’clock. The words “30-second chronograph” in distinctive blue tone on the predominantly black dial, also speaks to this world-exclusive system.

Breitling for Bentley GT Dark Sapphire Edition - dashboard

The COSC-certified movement inside the Dark Sapphire chassis, Breitling’s self-winding Caliber B06, powers the timekeeping functions, the 30-second stopwatch, and a simple calendar, with date displayed in a window at 4:30, and also offers a power reserve of 70 hours when fully wound.

The Breitling for Bentley GT “Dark Sapphire” Edition is secured to the wrist by a black rubber strap — specially created for this model, with a stitched-in-blue blue diamond motif matching that of the dial — and a push-piece-operated folding clasp.

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Breitling for Bentley GT Dark Sapphire Edition - front

So what do think? Does this week’s Watch to Watch make you want to take it for test drive? Let us know.

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No Responses to “A Classy Chassis: Breitling for Bentley GT Dark Sapphire Edition”

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  1. Andy Sharpe

    Love to test drive. Beautiful watch nothing more than you expect from Brietling for Bentley

    Reply
  2. Norman Plotkin

    I’m a Breitling fan and this model is gorgeous. It would go well with my Navitimer.

    Reply
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