It’s no secret that we have a strong affinity for Breitling watches here at Horologii but there’s something about their line-up for 2021 that has got us really excited. We’ve seen a new series of Chronomat South Sea Ladies watches, a Top Time Dues Limited Edition, a Chronomat Red Arrows Limited Edition and more recently, a new Avenger GMT Night Mission. Accelerating themselves into the festivities of the 2021 Watches and Wonders event which begins tomorrow, they have also just announced their brand new Premier Heritage collection which includes the Breitling Premier Heritage B09 Chronograph 40 which we’ll be looking at closely today.
During the early 1940’s, a time of war for much of the world, Breitling provided aviation instruments to the likes of the British Royal Air Force and many other forces through its HUIT Aviation department. These instruments were famed for their precision and reliability and yet Willy Breitling recognised at the time, that there were regular civilians who desired wristwatches of elegance and glamour to distract them from the brutality taking place. At this point in their history, Breitling were already highly regarded for their chronographs and so by combining their technical prowess for the chronograph complication with a new range of discerning and stylish aesthetics, the Breitling Premier watch collection was born in 1943.
Just looking at the original Breitling Premier Chronograph launched in the early 1940’s and the new series of Breitling Premier Heritage B09 Chronograph 40 watches, it is clear to see plenty of inspiration has been drawn from its historic predecessor. The same choice of case materials, the familiar bi-compax dial layout, bold Arabic numerals and the easily operatable knurled crown, all embody Breitling’s vision of style and elegance. There are two Breitling Premier Heritage B09 Chronograph 40 watches to choose from, so let’s take a look at these in more detail now…
THE CASE
Measuring to 40mm in diameter, the Breitling Premier Heritage B09 Chronograph is currently available in two references. The first under model number AB0930D31L1P1 is dressed in classic stainless steel while the second variant RB0930371G1P1 delivers a more opulent aesthetic lined in 18 carat rose gold. Both designs sit effortlessly on the wrist thanks to slim contoured lugs and a slender height of only 13.08mm. The screwed down case backs impart a glimpse of the hand-wound movement housed within through sapphire crystal glass; the same material used to protect the dial on the front end adorned with the additional treatment of anti-reflective coating. The crown at 3 o’clock is non-screw down but is equipped with two gaskets to deliver a water resistant rating of 100 metres.
THE DIAL
We’re certainly not the first to notice it, but the colour green has been widely prevalent in the luxury watch industry over the past year with many brands incorporating the royal shade into their most iconic collections. Breitling are not missing a trick either with the stainless steel Breitling Premier Heritage B09 Chronograph watch adorned with a stunning pastel green dial of which Breitling describes as “Pistachio green”. The 18 carat rose gold model on the other hand is presented with a more refined silver-coloured dial with matching rose gold Arabic numerals and hands to match the case. Both variants are awarded the same bi-compax layout of the original 1940’s models with polished Arabic numerals, a detailed minute track and a tachymeter scale around the circumference. The central hands for hours and minutes are also treated with a layer of Swiss Superluminova for extra visibility at night.
THE MOVEMENT
Also awarding the new Breitling Premier Heritage B09 Chronograph watches with similar traits to their historic precursors is the Breitling Manufacture Caliber B09. Based on the brand’s well-known Calibre 01, their first in-house automatic winding movement, the Caliber B09 is manual wound, COSC certified and performs at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour with 47 jewels and an impressive power reserve of 70 hours. It is developed with a column wheel mechanism and vertical clutch delivering superior control over the central chronograph seconds hand and 30 minutes counter at 3 o’clock. The movement also provides the Breitling Premier Heritage B09 Chronograph with central hands for hours and minutes and a small seconds dial at 9 o’ clock.
THE STRAP
Both Breitling Premier Heritage B09 Chronograph watches are delivered on brown alligator leather straps that differ slightly in their shade. The green-dialled stainless steel model comes on a golden brown strap while the rose gold variant with silver dial boasts a much darker brown alligator leather strap. Both designs are paired with a folding buckle engineered from their retrospective case material.
PRICE & AVAILABLITY
The stainless steel Breitling Premier Heritage B09 Chronograph retails at £6,200 and the 18 carat rose gold variant for £13,400. You can shop the entire Breitling Premier Heritage watch collection including the two Breitling Premier Heritage B09 Chronograph watches on the Jura Watches website here with interest free finance and free delivery. For more information on these models and on other new Breitling watch releases, get in touch with the team on 01335 453453.
Specifications: Breitling Premier Heritage B09 Chronograph 40 (AB0930D31L1P1, RB0930371G1P1)
- Case Size: 40mm
- Case Material: Stainless steel or 18ct rose gold
- Bezel: Fixed
- Glass: Cambered sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both sides
- Crown: Non screw locked, two gaskets
- Case Back: Screwed, sapphire crystal
- Water Resistance: 100 metres
- Movement: Breitling Manufacture Calibre B09, hand-wound
- COSC: Yes
- Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, 1/4th second, 30 minute counter
- Power Reserve: 70 hours
- Jewels: 47
- Frequency: 28,800vph
- Dial: Pistachio green or silver with Superluminova hour and minute hands
- Strap: Gold brown or dark brown alligator leather
- Buckle: Folding
- RRP: £6,200 (Green dial), £13,400 (Silver dial)
- Release Date: Available now
