replica Breitling Chronomat B01 Chronograph 42
The new Breitling Chronomat is a versatile sports watch that recalls the return of mechanical timekeeping in the 1980s and Breitling’s role as a pioneer of the chronograph. The distinctive Rouleaux bracelet brings a stylish vintage look to the wrist, while the modern-made Caliber 01 points the way to the future. We reviewed it in this feature in our March-April 2021 issue.
When Breitling reintroduced the Chronomat in 1984, it sent a clear signal – it heralded the return of the mechanical watch, which had all but disappeared during the quartz crisis of the 1970s. Breitling had already used the name “Chronomat” in the 1940s, a combination of “chronograph” (chronograph) and “math” (mathematics), the former denoting the stopwatch function and the latter denoting the slide rule that later became the logo of the Navitimer. But in 1984, the term took on more meaning: the first two syllables continued to refer to "chronograph", denoting the stop-seconds function, while the third syllable meant "automatic", referring to the mechanical automatic movement that powered the watch, at a time when quartz watches were prevalent. Initially, the power came from the Valjoux Caliber 7750, introduced in 1973 and later resumed in production by ETA. The version used by Breitling underwent various specific modifications. Perfect replica reviews
It would take another quarter of a century before Breitling introduced its own chronograph movement. Caliber 01 made its debut in the prestigious Chronomat in 2009. Today, this robust movement is almost taken for granted and features in numerous Breitling chronographs in various modified forms, so we would like to remind our readers of some of its exceptional qualities.
A movement for everyday use
The Caliber 01 is a column-wheel chronograph with vertical coupling. Thanks to modern technology used in the production of modern column wheels, it is much easier to manufacture them than before. The vertical coupling ensures that the stopwatch function starts cleanly without the noticeable jitter of the seconds hand at the start. Unlike conventional systems with a separate hour counter, here the coupling itself establishes a connection with the seconds, minutes and hours counters. The patented self-centering system of the heart-shaped lever for the zeroing function is also innovative. The mechanism also ensures that the chronograph cannot be damaged by erroneous operation, such as triggering the zeroing command without first stopping the chronograph. The calendar mechanism is likewise protected against inadvertent operation. It has been designed so that the user can reset the date at any time of the day or night without damaging the mechanism. The basis for this is the almost instantaneous change of the date: our test watch automatically advanced to the new date about three minutes before midnight. With an eye on future GMT and world time models, the basic construction of the date display supports the option of resetting the date backwards via the manual setting function. replica Richard Mille RM 11 McLaren
The 01 movement in the Chronomat not only offers a 70-hour power reserve, which is considered state-of-the-art among modern movements, but is also chronometer-certified, a common practice for all Breitling watches. Through the sapphire crystal on the screw-down caseback, the 01 movement showed virtually no deviations in our test watch over days and weeks, regardless of whether the mainspring was fully wound or had some slack, and regardless of whether the chronograph was switched on or off.
Suitable for measuring short intervals
The case, with a diameter of 42.94 mm and a thickness of 15.23 mm, is made of solid stainless steel and features a rotating bezel that clicks into place in half-minute increments and can only be rotated counterclockwise. This feature - together with the pressure resistance to 20 bar (200 m) and the screw-down onion-shaped crown - makes the Chronomat a diver's watch. The four distinctive cursors return from the 1980s. Not only do they make the bezel easy to grip and safe to use, they are also interchangeable. Removing and reinserting them requires a little effort, but the rotating ring can be used as a countdown bezel if you swap the 15- and 45-minute cursors. The minute scale on the upper part of the bezel makes the countdown easy to read. In the past, yachtsmen would have used the Chronomat's countdown function. Together with the tachymeter scale on the steeply inclined flange, it could also be used in motorsports. best luxury replica watches
Two oval pushers operate the chronograph, and the screw-down onion crown ensures water resistance to 200 meters.
If you look closely below the tachymeter scale, you'll see red numerals and lines dividing the minutes into 100 increments. Connoisseurs will recognize this detail from early Breitling models. It is very useful for industrial timekeeping, as it displays the minutes in decimal format. For example, it displays a working day as 7.75 hours instead of 7 hours and 45 minutes. In conjunction with the central seconds hand, for example, an elapsed interval of 36 seconds can also be read as 0.6 minutes, during which the car travels at an average speed of 100 kilometers per hour.
A slender red hand that shows the exact number of seconds that have elapsed stretches to the flange and ends in a kite-shaped tip filled with luminous material. As a forerunner of the chronograph, all other hands associated with the stopwatch function also glow in the dark. The indicators for the ordinary time display, including the continuously running seconds hand and the faceted hour appliques, also glow – a welcome but rather rare detail. replica Jacob and Co. Bugatti Chiron
The latest generation of Breitling Chronomat watches is fitted with the brand’s typical Rouleaux bracelet, made up of long cylindrical links with rounded ends (which explains the nickname “bullet bracelet”).
A sporty all-rounder with both vintage style and modern design
Two oval pushers activate the chronograph functions. Their shape is modern and, unlike the pushers on previous models, they are no longer screw-down. This modern detail contrasts with the vintage touch added by the integrated roller bracelet, which returns for the first time since 1984. The roller is an oval cylinder with a brushed matte finish; its edges are polished, like the connecting elements. The roller leads to a practical double-folding clasp with lateral pushers. The Chronomat 01 thus meets every detail requirement of a sporty all-rounder. replica Grand Seiko Heritage
