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.
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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.
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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?