Breitling Chronomat Red Arrows Limited Edition

The Breitling Chronomat Red Arrows Limited Edition features a depiction of nine Hawk T1 planes on its dial. However, beyond its Red Arrows branding, this handsome watch is imbued with much mechanical virtue.

Esteemed Swiss brand, Breitling is synonymous with the making of chronographs. In 1915, Gaston Breitling patented the idea of placing a dedicated chronograph pusher at 2 o’clock. Eight years later (1923), Gaston ingeniously thought of separating the stop/start pusher from the reset function. This latter concept has since been adopted by most watch brands.

Such ingenuity saw Breitling look beyond terra firma. Indeed, the firm went on to produce aviation instruments in 1931. Interestingly, the company supplied various armed forces with on-board flight chronographs, including the British Royal Air Force (1938).

The finest, most gifted RAF pilots aspire to join the Red Arrows. This elite aerobatic display has enjoyed close ties with Breitling for many years. Indeed, Breitling is an official sponsor of the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team.

It may sound like a strange alliance, but both parties appreciate the importance of precision and timing. Moreover, the glamour of being a member of the Red Arrows will no doubt have lured frustrated aerobatic types to select a Chronomat or Emergency model.

Now, the watch brand from Grenchen has released the Breitling Chronomat Red Arrows Limited Edition. The model is housed in a 42mm stainless steel case paired with a steel Rouleaux bracelet, often referred to by horophiles as a ‘Breitling bullet bracelet’. The dial is executed in ‘RAF blue’ juxtaposed with black snailed counters. In the upper portion of the dial, there is a representation of nine Hawk T1 planes presented in an ebullient shade of red.

However, in my opinion, the pièce de résistance is the movement, the fabulous Breitling Manufacture Calibre 01. This self-winding movement is fully integrated and endowed with a highly desirable column wheel and vertical coupling. This arrangement confers numerous benefits. For example, the central chronograph second hand commences its journey on demand, free of stutter. In addition, there is less drag, a notable smoothness to the pushpieces. The timepiece also has a prodigious power reserve of 70 hours and is COSC-certified.

The new Breitling Chronomat Red Arrows Limited Edition is a handsome chronograph but, most importantly, beyond its Red Arrows branding, it is rich in mechanical virtue.

Price: £6,900 (RRP as at 3.3.2021)

The brand’s press release (March 2021)

The timepiece is the latest in the coveted line of limited releases between Breitling and the Royal Air Force dating back 30 years, including the exclusive RAF100 Anniversary collection in 2018 and the Avenger Red Arrows Limited Edition in 2020. As the only luxury watch brand granted exclusive permission to feature The Red Arrows distinctive emblems, Breitling Red Arrows timepieces are collector’s editions with a generational legacy.

Partners in Precision

Breitling’s storied association with aviation, combined with its world first innovations in the functionality of the wrist chronograph, have led to its reputation as the preferred supplier to aviation. The brand’s historical partnership with the Royal Air Force dates back to the 1930s, when Breitling’s precision on board chronographs were supplied to RAF aircraft to ensure precise calculations of distance and fuel during the most challenging flying conditions. Breitling remains the pi- lot’s choice and the brand creates private commission timepieces exclusively for RAF and military squadrons.

Today the Red Arrows display pilots wear Breitling chronographs built to ensure accuracy, precision and reliability under the most demanding conditions, as they prepare and perform their world-class displays, in the UK and overseas. Promoting the best of British, their precision manoeuvres and close formations in the distinctive Hawk fast-jets, including their famous Diamond Nine shape, represents the very best in flying, agility, precision and operational excellence. Breitling ensures that the teams timing equipment lives up to the needs of their every pursuit.

Chronomat – Born in the Air

The Chronomat holds a significant place in Breitling’s history and is truly an all-purpose sports watch – suitable for every pursuit – on the ground, under the sea or in the air. Introduced during Breitling’s centenary year in 1984, when extra-thin quartz timepieces were the order of the day, Breitling presented the bold and impressive mechanical watch, which fast became an icon of its era due to its all-purpose prowess and distinctive style. Born in the air, the design was inspired by a timepiece designed for the Italian Air Force aerobatic display team and marked the return of the mechanical chronograph.

A Patriotic Tribute

The Breitling Red Arrows Limited Edition features a RAF blue dial featuring black contrasting sub-dials and the Red Arrows Diamond Nine logo positioned in a rare execution at 12 o’clock where the Breitling logo is normally placed. It has a 42mm stainless-steel case with a ratcheted unidirectional rotating bezel and four iconic interchangeable rider tabs, unique to the Chronomat. On the caseback’s transparent sapphire crystal the Royal Air Force insignia is presented in glorious colour for the first time. This patriotic tribute is limited to 160 pieces for each Red Arrows display pilot to have served, and its case back is engraved with the words ‘one of 160’. It is presented on the Chronomat’s eye-catching Rouleaux bracelet with butterfly clasp, the perfect expression of Breitling’s cool modern-retro style. Inside is the in-house Breitling Manufacture Calibre 01 certified by the COSC – the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute that guarantees the accuracy and precision of Swiss watches.

Gavin Murphy Breitling UK Managing Director is delighted to continue to celebrate the longstanding partnership between Breitling and the Red Arrows with this exclusive Chronomat. He says: “The Red Arrows represent the best of British – their professionalism, positivity and commitment to excellence are values that inspire each and every one of us. Breitling’s partnership with the team dates back 30 years and during this time the pilots have chosen to wear Breitling whilst conducting their daring displays, demonstrating the trust that they have in our watches and the synergy of our shared brand values. We are proud to continue our relationship with the team who have become our good friends over the years and we are delighted to be presenting our flagship model, the Chronomat bearing the Diamond Nine formation, in celebration of each of the 160 pilots who have earned the right to wear the ‘red suit’.”

Squadron Leader Tom Bould, Red 1 and Team Leader of the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, said “Precision teamwork, accurate timing and dynamic creativity are hallmarks of the Red Arrows and are fundamental to the team’s activities – showcasing the excellence of the Royal Air Force and representing the United Kingdom with world-class displays. The Chronomat Red Arrows Limited Edition is a distinctive example of how these qualities are shared by Breitling, forged by its historic work with the aviation community. Particularly special is the limited edition number of 160 pieces, as an acknowledgement of those who’ve flown as a Red Arrows pilot since the opening 1965 display season.”

“Every Red Arrows pilot understands how fortunate they are to continue the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team’s legacy and have an opportunity to help inspire people of all ages and backgrounds – around the globe – through an exciting display of teamwork, speed and innovation.”

The new collection was created in a partnership facilitated by IMG, the Royal Air Force’s exclusive licensing representative.

Excellence and Craftsmanship

Breitling has partnered with British luxury leather goods manufacturer, Ettinger to commemorate the release with a special Breitling and Royal Air Force, the Red Arrows branded Double Watch Roll with each purchase. Granted a Royal Warrant to HRH The Prince of Wales in 1996, Ettinger are the epitome of British excellence, luxury and craftsmanship. The watch roll is exclusively available as a gift with purchase of the Chronomat Red Arrows.

Breitling

Since 1884, Breitling has established a global reputation for high-precision timepieces, its pioneering role in the development of the wrist chronograph, and its uncompromising commitment to design excellence. With the brand’s storied association with aviation, Breitling has shared the finest moments in humankind’s conquest of the skies. Renowned for its spirit of innovation, it has also earned a place of privilege in the worlds of science, sport, and technology. Breitling manufactures its own movements in-house and the quality of everyone is – like the movements in all Breitling watches – confirmed by its status as a COSC-certified chronometer, made in Switzerland.

The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team – The Red Arrows

Officially known as the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows showcase the excellence of the RAF and represent the United Kingdom both at home and overseas. The team consists of 11 pilots, nine of whom fly in the display, and more than 100 support personnel and technicians. Each of the pilots has previous fast-jet, operational experience flying the Tornado, Typhoon or Harrier, enabling the RAF to secure the skies and protect the nation and its interests, 365-days a year.