It’s not often that a brand launches a series of watches and a related book, but that’s what Breitling has done with its latest additions to the Premier collection. The unveiling of six new watches continues the Swiss watchmaker’s love affair with chronograph models and reaffirms the company’s vision to use functional cockpit instruments as inspiration for equally functional wristwatches. The latest Breitling Premier B01 models add to that legacy and complement, rather than overshadow the brand’s other notable chronograph, the Navitimer.
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Breitling Premier B01 | Image: Breitling
Like most successful luxury watches, Breitling’s Premier line has a rich history. And like most Breitling models, aviation played a major part in the watch’s birth. What’s slightly different here is that Breitling has also commissioned a book to tell the Premier’s story. Titled ‘Premier Story’ it recounts the watch’s history and features photographs of rarely seen vintage watches.
It notes how as WW2 drew to a close Willy Breitling, grandson of the company’s founder, had a vision – to create tool watches with impeccable styling. These new watches, built with the best materials and movements, were given the Premier label. Reintroduced by Breitling in 2021, the Premier line is now a fan favourite and continues to offer high-quality watchmaking paired with sophisticated aesthetics.
Breitling Premier B01 | Image: Breitling
The new releases – six models in various colours and metals – mark another milestone in the collection’s story, while also retaining the key features that made the original watches so appealing. The styling of the new watches is on point, with the 42mm case featuring a smooth fixed bezel and neat rectangular pushers. Five of the models are forged from stainless steel and one from 18k red gold.
The exquisite dial retains the aviation-influenced design and sports two sub-dials and a neat date window repositioned to 6 o’clock. The busy dial, with its symmetrical layout, recreates the charm of the vintage models, while also meeting the requirements of a modern dress watch.
Breitling Premier B01 | Image: Breitling
The stainless steel variants offer salmon, blue, green, black, or cream dials, with the red gold model available in cream. All models are powered by Breitling’s in-house Calibre 01 mechanical chronograph movement. Redesigned in 2022, the improved automatic movement now boasts a sleek profile and a trimmed-down rotor. And as expected, it’s visible through an exhibition back.
The latest Breitling Premier B01 chronographs continue the brand’s success with high-end mechanical chronographs. And for fans of the brand, everything that they love about Breitling is here. The history, the functionality and the aviation connection. There’s also an accompanying book that offers an invaluable resource for collectors.
Breitling Premier B01 | Image: Breitling
Breitling Premier B01
Diameter: 42mm
Height: 13.6mm
Case: Stainless Steel or 18K Red Gold
Movement: Breitling Manufacture Caliber 01
Strap: Alligator Leather Strap or Stainless Steel Seven-row Bracelet
Crystal: Cambered Sapphire
Breitling Premier B01 | Image: Breitling
