By Jovan Krstevski
Breitling being the first watchmaker to design an onboard clock for Bentley’s Continental GT announces the renewal of its partnership with the Bentley, a popular luxury carmaker. It is noted that Georges Kern, Breitling CEO highlighted the 2 brand’s connection in terms of quality, performance, and design excellence.
Breitling is not new to motoring. Its onboard chronograph, launched for aviation in 1931, was also designed for use on automobile dashboards. Also a connection between Bentley and Breitling goes as far back as 70 years. It is widely known that Willy Breitling was a devoted Bentley fan and that he owned many Bentleys.
It is worth noting that Breitling created a limited-edition chronograph to celebrate the feat of Bentley when it returned to Le Mans and took the first and second place finishes in 2003. Breitling was Team Bentley’s main sponsor then.
The watch in question will be defined by its striking British racing green dial and will be available with either a stainless-steel bracelet or a British racing green leather strap that matches the dial. The subdials are located at 3 and 9 o’clock with the date window at 6 o’clock.
In line with this announcement, Breitling also plans to integrate special Bentley editions to its core product line-up instead of being released on separate Breitling for Bentley collection. The first of these timepieces is the Premier B01 Chronograph 42 Bentley British Racing Green. It will be powered by Breitling’s flagship Manufacture Caliber 01 in-house mechanical movement. It will also feature a metalized Bentley logo and an impressive 70 hour power reserve. These timepieces also have an engraved plate with a “Bentley” inscription.
Furthermore, when Bentley Motors celebrates its centenary in 2019, Breitling will launch a dedicated limited-edition timepiece to celebrate 100 years of luxury motoring excellence.
Nonetheless, let us dig a bit deeper with the Reference AB0118A11 or the Breitling Premier B01 Chronograph 42 Bentley British Racing Green. The watch features a 42 mm stainless steel case replete with high end stuff like sapphire with anti-reflective treatment. The exhibition caseback also shows the in-house Breitling Manufacture Caliber 01. The screwed steel case back also ensures 100 meters of water resistance. The non-screw locked crown features 2 gaskets that makes it definitely water tight.
I like the dial in green, obviously for the good readability and the sporty attitude. The lumed hands are practical but to me, it adds the needed contrast to a rather busy dial.
The in-house Manufacture Caliber 01 is a superb movement, it’s a flagship after all. The 70 hours of power reserve is helpful for a diver’s watch. The movement features the usual stuff the brand is known for. It features minute, second, and date displays and of course the useful chronograph functions, ratchet wheel control, vertical coupling, 30-minute and 12-hour counters. Finally, the leather strap with folding buckle or stainless-steel bracelet with folding clasp is a thing of comfort and practicality. Visit Breitling here.
