Basel Preview: Breitling Montbrillant 01 Limited

Breitling is writing a new chapter in the history of the Montbrillant chronograph by equipping it for the first time with Caliber 01, a movement developed and produced in the company workshops in La Chaux-de-Fonds. This is a limited series of 2,000 pieces in steel and 200 in 18K red gold. Look inside for wallpaper and pricing information. With a look inspired by the 1940s and 50s and featuring a circular slide rule bezel for pilots, the Montbrillant chronograph was named after the building on Montbrillant Street, in the heights of La Chaux-de-Fonds, which housed the Breitling workshops from 1892 to 1979. In these premises, the brand developed inventions and improvements that would significantly advance wrist chronograph movements, including the first independent pushpiece (1915), the second independent pushpiece (1934) and the first selfwinding chronograph (1969). This was also where Breitling produced its first onboard chronographs that contributed to its status as “official supplier to world aviation” during the boom of air transport on propeller-powered and subsequently jet aircraft. With this new edition, the Montbrillant associates its name with another milestone in the brand's history - the creation of Breitling’s in-house Caliber 01 chronograph movement. The Montbrillant 01 Limited is issued in twin editions in steel and red gold, with the individual number engraved at 9 o’clock on the case middle. The Mercury Silver dial the traditional central hundredth of a second counter, and an 18K gold version of the stylized B that served as the brand symbol until the mid-20th century. A transparent sapphire crystal caseback provides views of Breitling’s Caliber 01, chronometer-certified by the COSC, with its column wheel and its original structure. The USA retail price for the steel version on leather strap will be $7415. Technical information appears below the images, which may be substantially enlarged with a click.

Technical Data Diameter: 40.0mm Caliber: Breitling 01 Movement: Self-winding, high frequency Power reserve: Over 70 hours Chronograph: ¼ second, 30 minutes, 12 hours Vibration: 28,800 vph Case: Steel or 18K red gold Bracelet: Barenia leather, crocodile leather/Navitimer (steel version only), Air Racer Water resistance: 3 bars Bezel: Bidirectional rotating slide rule bezel Crystal: Cambered sapphire with anti-glare coating on both sides