Breitling has given a whole slew of new releases in their Chronomat line. If you ever thought that 44mm was too large and 32mm was too small, Breitling are meeting you in the middle with 40mm and 38mm variants. Introducing the Chronomat GMT 40 and Super Chronomat 38.
The Chronomat GMT 40
Breitling has released their newest GMT as a tribute to travel as the world opens up again post-pandemic. If that’s the goal, a GMT is perfect for that if not for the functionality, then for its easygoing aesthetics.
One of the first things you’ll notice about the GMT is that instead of the chronograph found on the 44mm Chronomat, there’s a simpler look with a dual-time-zone complication. They didn’t go overboard with the GMT, instead having a tone-on-tone 24-hour scale with the red GMT hand speaking for itself. If you ever wanted a GMT that wasn’t so loud, this is for you. The GMT is powered by the Breitling Calibre 32 that has a power reserve of 42 hours.
There’s quite a few dial colour options (Breitling are always generous with their colourways) including white (very hot), blue (hot), black (hot), green (very hot), and anthracite (meh). Personal favourite is the green one, but maybe I’m just a slave to trends.
Other interesting aspects include the “onion” crown for easy grip and 200m water resistance.
These are priced at $7,950 AUD (~$4,980 USD).
Super Chronomat 38
The Super Chronomat 38 earns the moniker “super” thanks to its ceramic rider tabs and crown. The ceramic crown is a very nice tough adding a very light, playful touch. It’s also the only watch in the Chronomat collection that is available with a rubber rouleaux bracelet.
The real talking point about this watch isn’t so much its aesthetics but it being Breitling’s first traceable watch. The oversized lab-grown diamonds and artisanal 18K red gold are all sourced according to new, industry leading standards.
This is part of Breitling’s #SQUADONAMISSION initiative. This is a commitment to create products and experiences while driving for social and environmental impact all along the value chain. This includes transitioning the brand’s entire product portfolio to responsibly source materials by 2025.
That’s all well and good, but how’s the watch? It comes in three dial colours (silver, mint green, and ice blue) all encased in stainless-steel with either a red gold or steel bezel encased in diamonds. The white is a little safe, but not bad, but the green and blue dials are top notch, especially the green paired with red gold.
You can customise them further with three strap options, each in colours suited to each dial. You’ve got a stainless-steel rouleaux bracelet with butterfly clasp, a coloured rouleaux inspired rubber strap, or an alligator strap.
This watch is powered by the Breitling Calibre 17 with a power reserve of 38 hours.
These watches are priced at $14,450 – $16,350 AUD (~$9,000 – $10,250 USD).
At a Glance
Breitling Chronomat GMT 40
Calibre: Breitling Calibre 32
Winder: self-winding mechanical, bidirectional with ball bearing
Power reserve: approx. 42 hours
Balance frequency: 28,800 a/h or 4 hertz
Certification: COSC-certified
Case: Stainless-steel
Diameter: 40mm
Thickness: 11.77mm
Water resistance: 200m
Glass: cambered sapphire, glareproofed on both sides
Caseback: solid, screwed
Crown: non screw-locked, two gaskets
Bezel: Stainless steel, unidirectional, ratcheted
Dial: Black, blue, green, white, anthracite
Strap: Stainless-steel rouleaux bracelet with butterfly clasp
Super Chronomat Automatic 38
Calibre: Breitling Calibre 17
Winder: self-winding, bidirectional with ball bearing
Power Reserve: approx. 38 hours
Balance Frequency: 28,800 a/h or 4 hertz
Certification: COSC-certified
Case: Stainless-steel and 18k red gold
Thickness: 11.88mm
Water Resistance: 100m
Glass: cambered sapphire, glareproofed on both sides
Caseback: screwed-in, steel
Crown: Ceramic, screw-locked, two gaskets
Bezel: 18k red gold/stainless-steel with lab-grown diamonds, ceramic rider tabs, unidirectional, ratcheted.
Strap: stainless-steel/two-tone steel and red gold rouleaux bracelet, rouleaux-inspired rubber strap, alligator strap.
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