Page 59 - Sharp November 2024

UP TO SPEED
THE NEWEST ADDITIONS TO THE BREITLING CHRONOMAT LINEUP CELEBRATE SPEED, PERFORMANCE, AND LEGENDARY STYLE
By Jeremy Freed
THE TRIUMPH SPEED TRIPLE 1200 RR BREITLING LIMITED
Edition is the kind of motorcycle that’s made to haunt the dreams of anyone who lives for adrenalin, style, and no-holds-barred performance. With a sleek, modern sport bike exterior and an 1160cc engine producing 177 horsepower and 92 lb-ft of torque, it’s a force to be reckoned with on the road or track. It’s also the perfect complement to two new Breitling Chronomat watches, the Chronomat B01 Triumph Owners Exclusive and the Chronomat B01 42 Triumph, released as part of an ongoing collaboration with the Swiss luxury watchmaker.
With a custom Breitling start screen, a Breitling logo laser-etched onto its machined rear wheel finisher, and a gold Breitling badge on the fuel tank, each individually numbered edition of the Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RR Breitling Limited Edition is made for those who value uncompromising performance, both in watches and motorcycles. Likewise, anyone who buys one of the 270 co-branded machines also gains access to the Breitling Chronomat B01 Triumph Owners Exclusive, a new limited-edition version of the aviation-inspired chronograph featuring a carbon dial and a case back engraved with each motorcycle’s series number. You don’t, however, have to buy a motorcycle to tap into the energy of the Speed Triple 1200 RR. The new non-limited Chronomat B01 42 Triumph complements the high-performance aesthetics of the bike with a case made from titanium and 18K red gold, an anthracite dial, and a subtle Triumph logo on the seconds hand.
As the third collaboration between Breitling and Triumph, the new Chronomat B01 42 Triumph celebrates the shared values of two brands which have been at the forefront of their fields for more than a
century. “The Chronomat and the Speed Triple 1200 RR exemplify our joint devotion to the highest standards of design and performance,” explains Georges Kern, CEO of Breitling. “With Triumph, we share a rugged spirit that combines artistry with adventure.” Triumph CEO Nick Bloor likewise appreciates the synergies of Swiss watches and British sport bikes, adding, “Teaming up with Breitling, we’ve united two worlds with our shared passions for precision, speed, and impeccable style.”
The Chronomat makes an ideal candidate for a collaboration devoted to speed and style. Breitling created the watch in the early 1980s for the Frecce Tricolori, the famed Italian aerobatics team, and it remains one of the most versatile pieces in the 140-year-old watchmaker’s catalogue. Its distinctive design features a prominent unidirectional ratcheting bezel, a stylish “Rouleaux” bracelet, and a large crown (a practical feature that makes the watch easier to set while wearing gloves). In contrast to most new watches of that era, the Chronomat relied on a mechanical chronograph movement instead of a battery-powered quartz one. The new models are faithful to the originals in both looks and spirit, with an aviation-inspired look and Breitling’s COSC-certified Manufacture Caliber 01 automatic chronograph movement.
The new Chronomat B01 42 Triumph joins other recent additions to the Chronomat lineup that push the collection to new heights, including the Chronomat B01 42 and Super Chronomat B01 44 now in titanium. The former features a 42 mm titanium case and a ratcheted titanium bezel, while the latter makes a statement with a 44 mm titanium case and a contrasting black ceramic bezel. Both watches are available with a choice of a black Rouleaux-inspired rubber strap or a titanium Rouleaux bracelet.
The addition of titanium cases adds yet another element of elevated performance to the Chronomat lineup, but with more than 70 models to choose from — including the stunning new Super Chronomat B19 44 Perpetual Calendar 140th Anniversary — they represent just two enticing options among many. From the high-flying aerobatics of the Frecce Tricolori to the sleek lines of the Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RR, the Chronomat remains an unmistakable expression of speed, adrenalin, and style.
SHARPMAGAZINE.COM
NOVEMBER 2024 59