Breitling pays tribute to its founding fathers with a set of three Premier chronograph models featuring a tourbillon. Born in 1943, the Premier collection is a brainchild of Willy Breitling, then the CEO of the Swiss company. In contrast to the tool-watch style of most timepieces during WWII, particularly chronographs, he felt that it was time for a more elegant timekeeper. The Premier was distinguished by a moderate case size and a subdued dial design with Arabic numerals.
Now the luxury Swiss watchmaker revives this spirit once again with the launch of the Premier B21 Chronograph Tourbillon 42. The trio of watches are driven by a new movement, self-winding Caliber B21.
A joint collaboration with La Joux-Perret, it combines a column-wheel control chronograph with a tourbillon which takes center stage at 6 o’clock. Caliber B21 amasses a power reserve of 55 hours and has earned a C.O.S.C. chronometer certificate for proven precision, as is the case with all Breitling watches. It is beautifully finished in accordance with Swiss traditions and boasts a solid gold, partially skeletonized rotor.
Precious metals and a domed open caseback characterize the Premier B21 Chronograph Tourbillon 42, which sports a water resistance to 100 meters despite its luxurious aura. It comes in three variations, each named for one of the Breitling founding fathers. The Léon Breitling features a solid 18 k red gold case with a silver dial and brown, semi-shiny alligator strap. The Gaston Breitling pairs a solid 18 k white gold case with an anthracite dial and black alligator strap. The Willy Breitling, meanwhile, is clad in platinum and marries an admiral-blue dial with a black alligator strap. Each watch features the stylized square pushers and Arabic numerals that are hallmarks of the modern-day Premier line.
The Premier B21 Chronograph Tourbillon 42 Léon Breitling and the Premier B21 Chronograph Tourbillon 42 Gaston Breitling retail for $56,000. The Premier B21 Chronograph Tourbillon 42 Willy Breitling is marked at $66,000.
To learn more, visit Breitling, here.
„…. a tourbillon which takes center stage at 6 o’clock.“
Isn’t the tourbillion at 12 o‘clock?