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Celebrated luxury Swiss watchmaker, and aviation chronograph specialist, Breitling, recently launched its ‘Chronomat 44 Blacksteel Special Edition’ during an event held at one of its largest Middle Eastern boutiques located inside Moda Mall.
Launched in collaboration with Breitling’s local retail partner, Yaquby Stores, the new ‘Chronomat’ timepiece, costing BD3,395, features a black steel case, yellow dial, tried and trusted sturdiness and a high-performance Breitling manufacture movement.
The special edition model landed in the kingdom with a new face, which embodies a technical and masculine style. The satin-brushed steel case and bezel stand out with its black carbon-based, high-resistance treatment that creates a powerful contrast with the brand’s signature yellow dial.
The originality of the model continues on the transparent sapphire crystal case back which allows the black oscillating weight and chronometer certified movement to be viewed, as well as on the two-tone rubber ‘TwinPro’ strap combining a black exterior with a yellow lining.
The case of the model is water-resistant to 200 m/660 feet, while the screw-lock crown and safety push-pieces form a wall against any water infiltration and are protected against shocks. The unidirectional rotating bezel with black rubber-inlaid numerals is equipped with four polished rider tabs serving to measure times as well as facilitating handling for the user.
Aed Adwan, Breitling Middle East, said: “While its new look is especially striking, the Chronomat 44 Blacksteel Special Edition has all the technical qualities that have made the watch the ultimate chronograph and a loyal companion of pilots all over the world. “With the Middle East being such a renowned global aviation hub, celebrating the launch of the product in Bahrain with our partner Yaquby Stores makes perfect sense.”
Leon Breitling chose to devote himself to chronograph and timers in his Swiss Jura workshop back in 1884. A specialist of technical watches, the brand has played a crucial role in the development of the wrist chronograph and is a leader in this complication.
In 1915, the brand invented the wrist chronograph with the first push-piece and in 1923, it perfected the system by separating the stop/start functions from that of resetting. This patented design made it possible to add several successive times without turning to zero.
This was extremely useful for timing in sports and flight. Aviation pioneers needed reliable and efficient instruments, and therefore soon took an interest in Breitling’s pocket and later its wrist chronographs.
In the early 1930s, building on its reputation for precision and sturdiness, the brand enriched its range with a ‘specialty’ that would earn it worldwide fame: onboard chronographs intended for aircraft cockpits.
These instruments indispensable to secure piloting enjoyed great success. In 1334, the final touch was made to the modern face of the chronograph by creating the second independent reset push-piece which had competition quickly following behind.
By 1969, the brand presented the first self-winding chronograph and then in 1984, launched the leading model of mechanical chronographs, the ‘Chronomat’. The new timepiece can be found in both Breitling boutiques at Moda Mall and City Centre Bahrain.
A service centre located in the boutique at the Bahrain World Trade Centre is also geared to assist in any timepiece part and service issue. The team is made up of experienced technicians certified in Switzerland who routinely fly back for additional training.
