Breitling, one of the cult brands that created its own fan base with aviation-oriented models, is the guest of our Hands On corner with a pair of new models from the highly acclaimed Chronoliner Collection.
The brand, which has been on the watchmaking industry’s agenda with the surprising management change recently, continues to include models inspired by the aviation concept in a large part of its current collection. The Chronoliner Collection, which was one of the Breitling novelties introduced during the Baselworld 2015, is a strong product line approaching this concept with a retro perspective.
It is difficult to say that the Heritage and Re-Issue concepts that have been influential in the watch sector for the last few years have had a very serious effect on Breitling as the brand already has its cult collection Navitimer which has been one of the flagship product lines through the years without leaving the original design’s DNA. There are also Transocean and Montbrillant Collections which mainly feature vintage inspired design details.
Chronoliner Collection was introduced at the Baselworld 2015 and became one of the favorite models of watch enthusiasts with its optimal size (for a modern Breitling timepiece), vintage accents and matching mesh bracelet.
The model comes in a stainless steel case measuring 46mm in diameter and 15.95mm at height. As for the “optimal size” mentioned above, I can say that the 46mm case is not really a big size considering the up to date product line of Breitling. Thanks to its relatively short and thick lug design, the case wears quite comfortably on the wrist. Equipped with a double AR coated and domed scratch resistant sapphire crystal on the front side and a solid stainless steel caseback at the rear side, the case is water resistant to 100 meters.
One of the remarkable features of the case is the bezel. Made of ceramic, which is possibly the first material to come to mind when it gets to alternative materials which are quite popular in these days though the watchmaking industry, is designed in 24h format to be used for the model’s GMT function. The case is fully mirror polished with piston shaped chronograph pushers and a screw-lock winding crown adorned with the brand’s logo.
The model’s dial also houses retro inspired details. The versions we have chosen to share with you are the latest editions with blue and brown dial colors. Both dials feature Tri-Compax layout with three sub-dials finished in same contrasting light color. The markers and hands are baton shaped and filled with SuperLuminova phosphor material for optimum legibility at dark environments. The GMT hand sports a red arrow tip in order to boost the legibility of the second time zone function.
Breitling Chronoliner is powered by the Breitling Caliber 24. Based on the industry’s reliable automatic chronograph ETA Valjoux 7754, the COSC certified movement beats at 4Hz and offers 42 hours of power reserve when fully wound.
Beside the dial options, the collection also comes with a variety of metal bracelet and strap alternatives which we tried to show here in our review. Our favorite was the mesh bracelet which matches with the retro mood of the model nicely but leather and rubber strap options were also quite nice.
To see the Breitling Chronoliner models closely, all you need to do is paying a visit to the Quadran Boutique located at İstinye Park AVM.
