The Laings Journal
Breitling the Swiss luxury watchmaker – renowned as the leading supplier of aviation watches and official sponsor of the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows, announces the launch of the Chronomat Red Arrows Limited Edition. Here we explore the exciting new model.
Breitling has delighted watch lovers with the introduction of the Chronomat Red Arrows Limited Edition. The timepiece, released in partnership with the Royal Air Force exclusively features the distinctive emblems of its celebrated aerobatic team and is produced in a limited series of 160 pieces, in tribute to each Red Arrows display pilot to have flown and served in the team since its inaugural 1965 season.
The timepiece is the latest in the coveted line of limited releases between Breitling and the Royal Air Force dating back 30 years. As the only luxury watch brand granted exclusive permission to feature The Red Arrows distinctive emblems, Breitling Red Arrows timepieces are collector’s editions with a generational legacy.
PARTNERS IN PRECISION
Breitling’s storied association with aviation, combined with its world-first innovations in the functionality of the wrist chronograph, have led to its reputation as the preferred supplier to aviation. The brand’s historical partnership with the Royal Air Force dates back to the 1930s when Breitling’s precision on-board chronographs were supplied to RAF aircraft to ensure precise calculations of distance and fuel during the most challenging flying conditions. Breitling remains the pilot’s choice and the brand creates private commission timepieces exclusively for RAF and military squadrons.
Today, the Red Arrows display pilots wear Breitling chronographs built to ensure accuracy, precision and reliability under the most demanding conditions, as they prepare and perform their world-class displays, in the UK and overseas. Promoting the best of British, their precision manoeuvres and close formations in the distinctive Hawk fast-jets, including their famous Diamond Nine shape, represents the very best in flying, agility, precision and operational excellence. Breitling ensures that the teams timing equipment lives up to the needs of their every pursuit.
CHRONOMAT - BORN IN THE AIR
The Chronomat holds a significant place in Breitling’s history and is truly an all-purpose sports watch – suitable for every pursuit – on the ground, under the sea or in the air. Introduced during Breitling’s centenary year in 1984, when extra-thin quartz timepieces were the order of the day, Breitling presented the bold and impressive mechanical watch, which fast became an icon of its era due to its all-purpose prowess and distinctive style. Born in the air, the design was inspired by a timepiece designed for the Italian Air Force aerobatic display team and marked the return of the mechanical chronograph.
A PATRIOTIC TRIBUTE
The Breitling Red Arrows Limited Edition features an RAF blue dial with black contrasting sub-dials and the Red Arrows Diamond Nine logo positioned in a rare execution at 12 o’clock where the Breitling logo is normally placed. It has a 42mm stainless-steel case with a ratcheted unidirectional rotating bezel and four iconic interchangeable rider tabs, unique to the Chronomat. On the caseback’s transparent sapphire crystal the Royal Air Force insignia is presented in glorious colour for the first time. This patriotic tribute is limited to 160 pieces for each Red Arrows display pilot to have served, and its case back is engraved with the words ‘one of 160’. It is presented on the Chronomat’s eye-catching Rouleaux bracelet with butterfly clasp, the perfect expression of Breitling’s cool modern-retro style. Inside is the in-house Breitling Manufacture Caliber 01 certified by the COSC – the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute that guarantees the accuracy and precision of Swiss watches.
EXCELLENCE AND CRAFTSMANSHIP FROM ETTINGER
Breitling have partnered with British luxury leather goods manufacturer, Ettinger to commemorate the release with a special Breitling and Royal Air Forchttps://www.laingsuk.com/breitling-chronomat-red-arrows-watch-limited-edition-42mm-ab01347a1c1a1e, the Red Arrows branded Double Watch Roll with each purchase. Granted a Royal Warrant to HRH The Prince of Wales in 1996, Ettinger are the epitome of British excellence, luxury and craftsmanship. The watch roll is exclusively available as a gift with purchase of the Chronomat Red Arrows.
VIEW THE CHRONOMAT RED ARROWS LIMITED EDITION
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