Breitling looks to be emphasizing its history in 2015, with a number of watches that highlight the brand’s heritage in tool watches and precision timing devices. Sometimes that means revamping or reissuing classic models – one of which we’ve recently discussed here. But it can also mean introducing a new line that harks back to vintage design elements and a classic functionality. In that vein, Breitling gives us a new collection: the Breitling Chronoliner.
The Breitling Chronoliner is intended as a pilots’ watch, but maybe not how you’d think of that category most often. Whereas pilots’ watches today are usually designed to emphasize the more technical aspects of aviation, Breitling links the Chronoliner to the golden age of flight and the expansion of commercial air travel in the middle of the 20th century. In a statement, the brand dubs it “the authentic flight captain’s watch.” Breitling also says the watch was inspired by models of the 1950s and ’60s: although its dial is somewhat quieter, it does bear a resemblance to certain Navitimer Cosmonaute models.
The Chronoliner is a GMT chronograph. It has a center-mounted 24-hour hand that tapers very subtly towards its red arrow-shaped tip. A third time zone can be read off the 24-hour bezel in black ceramic, which is resistant to scratching. The bezel rotates in two directions and is easy to grip. A 30-minute totalizer is at 12 o’clock and a 12-hour totalizer sits at 6 o’clock; running seconds are at 9 o’clock. All three of these subdials have an off-white backing (making them stand out from the white, luminous hands and hour indexes) and bank slightly at the flange. The date, in white-on-black, is at 3 o’clock.
At the heart of the Chronoliner is Breitling’s Caliber 24. As you might guess from the subdial layout, Caliber 24 uses the ETA Valjoux 7750 as its base movement. It beats at 28,800 vph and has 25 jewels. Like all Breitling movements, it is COSC-certified. Caliber 24 may already be familiar to Breitling regulars: it also crops up in the Navitimer World.
You won’t get a look at the movement through the case, though. The Chronoliner has a solid caseback, bearing a stylized image of two airplanes. The case is made of stainless steel with a diameter of 46 mm. The curved sapphire crystal glass has nonreflective coating on both sides. The watch is water-resistant to 100 meters.
The watch comes on one of two different Breitling bracelets: either the seven-link Navitimer bracelet or the steel mesh Ocean Classic, as seen here. Look for the Chronoliner later this year. Pricing is available upon request.
I like Breitling, however, the watches are to damn big. They need size down to a 41 mm then I would be interested.