Latest from Breitling - Chronomat B01, Breitling first 100% on-house movement...
Endowed with an original and innovative architecture, Caliber B01 embodies all the wealth of experience gained by Breitling in its chronograph stronghold since 1884. The brand undeniably played a major role in the development of this type of instrument. When presenting the first wristworn chronographs in 1915, the founder’s son Gaston Breitling had the ingenious idea of creating a pushpiece to handle the three chronograph functions (start, stop and reset) that would be separate from the crown. This marked the birth of the first independent pushpiece. In 1923, he perfected this system by separating the “start/stop” functions controlled by the pushpiece at 2 o’clock from the “reset” function activated by the crown – a patented innovation that enabled the users to add up several consecutive times without needing to return the hands to zero. In 1934, Willy Breitling, representing the third generation of the family firm, set the finishing touch to the modern face of the chronograph by creating a second independent pushpiece reserved exclusively for resetting. In 1969, the firm rose to one of the greatest 20th century watchmaking challenges by launching the first selfwinding chronograph movement, the “Chrono-Matic” Caliber 11. The advent of Caliber B01 now marks an historic turning point that sees Breitling join the prestigious ranks of the rare watch companies to possess their very own mechanical chronograph movement. A major accomplishment that is also a springboard towards the future.
The Movement:
Reliable, sturdy, precise: Caliber B01 ideally embodies the entire philosophy of the Breitling chronograph. Equipped with a column-wheel device, the hallmark of the finest mechanical chronograph movements, it is distinguished by its vertical coupling clutch ensuring perfectly “clean” start-ups with no jump of the hand. Its over 70-hour power reserve – a decidedly user-friendly feature – guarantees steady regularity of rate by optimizing the force of the mainspring. Breitling has also equipped Caliber B01 with resolutely innovative characteristics serving to facilitate both its production and use. The patented self-centering device for the resetting hammers does away with the need for the traditional correction individually performed by a watchmaker on each movement. The exclusive index-assembly system means the watch rate can be rapidly personalized to suit each owner. Designed to ensure optimal functionality and security in everyday conditions, Caliber B01 has an instant date-change calendar that can be adjusted at any time, with no risk of damaging the movement. The chronograph mechanism has also been built in such a way as to eliminate the risks of impairment due to inappropriate handling. The intelligent architecture of the integrated yet fairly modular movement affords significant advantages in terms of assembly and maintenance.
Details
Breiting Caliber B01
Officially chronometer-certified by the COS
Self-winding
Frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour
47 jewels
1/4th of a second chronograph, 30 minute and 12 hour totalizers
Calendar
Case:
Steel / Steel with gold markers/ Steel with gold bezel & markers / 18K Rose Gold
Water Resistance: Steel case = 500 meters/1,650 feet/50 bars, Gold case = 100 meters/330 feet/10 bars.
Diameter of 43.50mm
Screw-locked crown
Screw-locked safety pushpieces
Uni-directional ratcheted rotating bezel
Cambered sapphire crystal, glare-proofed on both sides
Based on my understanding.. with this new in-house movement installed, there is a slight price increase (ard 20%) from their older comparable model... Breitling fans.. go check it out...
Endowed with an original and innovative architecture, Caliber B01 embodies all the wealth of experience gained by Breitling in its chronograph stronghold since 1884. The brand undeniably played a major role in the development of this type of instrument. When presenting the first wristworn chronographs in 1915, the founder’s son Gaston Breitling had the ingenious idea of creating a pushpiece to handle the three chronograph functions (start, stop and reset) that would be separate from the crown. This marked the birth of the first independent pushpiece. In 1923, he perfected this system by separating the “start/stop” functions controlled by the pushpiece at 2 o’clock from the “reset” function activated by the crown – a patented innovation that enabled the users to add up several consecutive times without needing to return the hands to zero. In 1934, Willy Breitling, representing the third generation of the family firm, set the finishing touch to the modern face of the chronograph by creating a second independent pushpiece reserved exclusively for resetting. In 1969, the firm rose to one of the greatest 20th century watchmaking challenges by launching the first selfwinding chronograph movement, the “Chrono-Matic” Caliber 11. The advent of Caliber B01 now marks an historic turning point that sees Breitling join the prestigious ranks of the rare watch companies to possess their very own mechanical chronograph movement. A major accomplishment that is also a springboard towards the future.
The Movement:
Reliable, sturdy, precise: Caliber B01 ideally embodies the entire philosophy of the Breitling chronograph. Equipped with a column-wheel device, the hallmark of the finest mechanical chronograph movements, it is distinguished by its vertical coupling clutch ensuring perfectly “clean” start-ups with no jump of the hand. Its over 70-hour power reserve – a decidedly user-friendly feature – guarantees steady regularity of rate by optimizing the force of the mainspring. Breitling has also equipped Caliber B01 with resolutely innovative characteristics serving to facilitate both its production and use. The patented self-centering device for the resetting hammers does away with the need for the traditional correction individually performed by a watchmaker on each movement. The exclusive index-assembly system means the watch rate can be rapidly personalized to suit each owner. Designed to ensure optimal functionality and security in everyday conditions, Caliber B01 has an instant date-change calendar that can be adjusted at any time, with no risk of damaging the movement. The chronograph mechanism has also been built in such a way as to eliminate the risks of impairment due to inappropriate handling. The intelligent architecture of the integrated yet fairly modular movement affords significant advantages in terms of assembly and maintenance.
Details
Breiting Caliber B01
Officially chronometer-certified by the COS
Self-winding
Frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour
47 jewels
1/4th of a second chronograph, 30 minute and 12 hour totalizers
Calendar
Case:
Steel / Steel with gold markers/ Steel with gold bezel & markers / 18K Rose Gold
Water Resistance: Steel case = 500 meters/1,650 feet/50 bars, Gold case = 100 meters/330 feet/10 bars.
Diameter of 43.50mm
Screw-locked crown
Screw-locked safety pushpieces
Uni-directional ratcheted rotating bezel
Cambered sapphire crystal, glare-proofed on both sides
Based on my understanding.. with this new in-house movement installed, there is a slight price increase (ard 20%) from their older comparable model... Breitling fans.. go check it out...
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