2018 has been a year of change for the Breitling timepiece brand. Whilst aviation has been a huge part of the brand for so long, the realisation is that theme provides only so much of the watch market to target. As a result, Breitling are looking to stretch those wings and foray into somewhat unknown (it’s still watch territory) waters of fashion watches. Cue the release of its new Premier Collection.
The Premier Collection features five new watch models and focuses firmly on the fashion set – although it has to be said that this isn’t the first fashion watch foray for the brand, that happened back in 1943. What the discerning gent is looking at now is a collection of timepieces that are slimmed down and paired down in contrast to it traditional timepieces that we know Breitling for.
The new collection is dedicated to “everyday elegance” as Breitling’s CEO, Georges Kern, explained on launch. Breaking this term down, what Breitling has created here is a collection that features the renowned chronographs along with day and date models. There is also a three-hand model featuring a small second sub-dial. All five models are available with the choice of leather or stainless steel bracelet.
Premier B01 Chronograph 42
This is the flagship of the collection and is equipped with Breitling’s in-house Calibre 01 movement. This self-winding features a chronograph that will run automatically for 70-hours. It’s 42mm stainless steel case houses a transparent caseback and the dial is available in either dark blue or silver. The white tachymeter scale on the black bezel completes the look. RRP from £6,180.
Premier Chronograph 42
This model is powered by a modified movement from Swatch Group and features a stopwatch with counters at 12 and 6 o’clock with a smaller sub-dial at 9 o’clock. This model shares the 42mm diameter of the Premier 01 but differs with a white-on-black tachymeter ring and the dial is available in blue or black. RRP from £4,480
Premier Automatic 40
Moving into elegant in the traditional sense, this self-winding model is a smaller profile with the 40mm and the stainless steel case features a dial that is available in anthracite, blue or silver. The understated clean look of this model is certainly eye-catching. RRP from £3,180
Premier Automatic Day & Date 40
As the name gives away, this automatic model displays the day of the week and the date at 12 and 6 o’clock respectively as well at the time on a silver dial. The self-winding movement provides a 40-hour power reserve This model again leans on the elegance side of things with the clean looking dial. RRP from £3,180
Premier B01 Chronograph 42 Bentley British Racing Green
Breitling previously presented Breitling for Bentley as a separate collection but now all future Bentley limited editions will be introduced under Breitling’s watch family. This model is powered by Breitling’s in-house movement which can be seen from the transparent caseback that comes engraved with the Bentley logo. The racing green certainly gives this model the speedster feel and the stainless steel case is inscribed with ‘Bentley’ on the left flank – a nod to the supercharged Bentley of 1929 no less. RRP from £6,700
Visit Breitling for more details.
