Born in 69Breitling CHRONO-MATIC
In 1969, BREITLING created the first selfwinding chronograph movement: Caliber 11, a mechanism in which the spring is wound by means of an off-centered oscillating weight. This invention would enable the development of a whole range of chronographs named CHRONO-MATIC, instantly recognizable thanks to their left-placed crown, a specific feature due to the modular construction of the movement. At that time, the NAVITIMER was BREITLING's flagship model and thus the first to benefit from this major technological breakthrough.
35 years later, BREITLING has asserted itself as the reference in the field of selfwinding chronographs. Now, by reviving the CHRONO-MATIC, the brand has chosen to pay tribute to the forerunner of this product class. Even though it is strongly inspired by the original model, the new CHRONO-MATIC is far more than a mere re-edition: it is truly a reinterpretation in a contemporary spirit. It maintains the crown on the left-hand side of the case as its distinctive feature. The dial configuration, with 30-minute counter at 9 o'clock, small seconds at 3 o'clock and calendar at 6 o'clock is also faithful to the original; a fine grid pattern gives the counters their square appearance, a subtle allusion to the styling of the 1960s and 70s. Governed by the same concern for authenticity, the CHRONO-MATIC carries the BREITLING signature topped with the initial B, the brand symbol of that era.
Other essential characteristic of the CHRONO-MATIC lies in the aviation slide-rule, controlled by rotating the outer bezel, which drives a pinion and an arbor acting on the inner bezel. This mechanical device guarantees extremely precise read-off of the measurements made. The CHRONO-MATIC is powered by 38-jewel BREITLING Caliber 41LC (Left Crown), officially chronometer-certified by the COSC, like all movements driving BREITLING wrist instruments.