Two Sizes, Many Faces: Breitling Launches Its First Chronomat Models for Women

Breitling is regarded by most as one of the more defiantly masculine watch brands out there, but it’s been making dedicated ladies’ watches since the 1940s, including standouts like the original Transocean in the 1950s, the Lady J in the 1990s and the Galactic in the 2000s. In recent years, the company has expanded the scope of its popular Navitimer and Superocean families with new, female-focused versions, and now it continues the mission by introducing the first models in its recently revamped, 1980s-influenced Chronomat collection designed exclusively for women.

The new Chronomat for Women series is actually two series, each with a distinct case size and movement: the Chronomat 36, equipped with automatic movements housed in 36-mm cases; and the Chronomat 32, powered by Breitling’s SuperQuartz movement, in a daintier 32-mm size. Both collections feature the hallmark Rouleaux bracelet with butterfly clasp and stationary bezel with rider tabs that distinguish the men’s Chronomats — both elements derived from the model’s 1980s predecessor.

Both the 32-mm and 36-mm watches are outfitted in an array of metals, from stainless steel, to bicolor steel-and-gold, to the highest-end pieces using 18k rose gold for both case and bracelet. And of course, there are options with diamond-set bezels and indices for those who prefer more sparkle.

The Chronomat 36 is available in 10 versions, with lacquered dials in white, pale green, midnight blue, and copper. The Chronomat 32 offers seven variations, with dials in either white or midnight blue. All the watches’ dials are enhanced with Super-LumiNova on the hands and hour indices and are protected under sapphire crystals. The cases are water-resistant to 100 meters thanks to gasket-secured crowns.

Inside the Chronomat 36 is Breitling’s Caliber 10, with automatic winding and an approximately 42-hour power reserve, which beats at 28,800 vph and uses a bidirectional ball-bearing rotor. Powering the Chronomat 32 is the thermocompensated SuperQuartz Caliber 77, which is 10 times more accurate than a traditonal quartz watch movement and boasts a battery life up to four years. Both movements, as per Breitling tradition, are COSC-certified as chronometers.

The Breitling Chronomat 36 ranges in price from $4,700 for steel on steel bracelet to $11,750 for steel-and-gold with diamonds, all the way up to $25,650 for the 18k gold model on an 18k gold bracelet. The Chronomat 32 starts at $3,800 for steel case and bracelet, to $9,825 for the most expensive steel-and-gold diamond model, to $20,500 for the all-gold version. The watches are available now at Breitling.com and at U.S. retailers.