Known for producing instruments for professionals, Swiss watch brand Breitling has a rich aviation history. Since the early 1930s the brand has focused on specialty watches such as onboard chronographs for aircraft cockpits, which led to its success among various armed forces, including the Royal Air Force during World War II. Over the ensuing decades, the brand continually unveiled new instruments, such as the iconic Navitimer.
Now, in honor of the brand’s continued aviation involvement, it unveils the Breitling Chronoliner B04 Boutique Edition watch.
The Design
The Chronoliner is not new to Breitling. In fact, the series was first unveiled a couple of years ago and was inspired by the brand’s pilot watches from the 1950s and 1960s.
Today, however, Breitling opts to launch the new Chronoliner B04 Boutique Edition watch in a limited series of just 100 pieces. It features an exclusive all-new dial in midnight blue with silver subdials for the chronograph counters and running seconds. Further complementing the dial is a blue bezel and a blue rubber strap with the motif of the mesh bracelets that were used in decades prior.
What’s Inside
In addition to the new colors and design, the movement inside the case has changed. Breitling equips the new Chronoliner B04 Boutique Edition with its in-house-made Manufacture Breitling Caliber B04. This new movement has a lot more to offer than the automatic chronograph functions, including an easy-to-use dual time zone system.
The second time zone display is a 24-hour chapter ring at the outer flange of the dial. The main hour hand can be adjusted via the crown in either direction in one-hour increments without affecting the precision of the minutes. The red arrow-tipped hand tracks home time against the 24-hour flange. Additionally, the scratch-resistant ceramic rotating bezel offers the ability for a third time zone indication.
The movement, which was totally developed in the brand’s workshops, is an officially certified COSC chronometer, meaning it has passed rigorous testing under a host of conditions and performed within the rigid specifications set forth by the testing institute.
The 46-mm watch is water resistant up to 100 meters and is equipped with a double-sided anti-glare sapphire crystal. The caseback is engraved with a “Special delivery” inscription.
Price and Availability
As mentioned, just 100 of the Breitling Chronoliner B04 Boutique Editions will be built. They are available exclusively at Breitling boutiques worldwide for $9,450.
