Also part of the Breitling Premier Heritage collection, spotted alongside the Premier Heritage B09 Chronograph already discussed, is the Premier Heritage B15 Duograph 42. Possibly our favourite duo out of the six new releases, the Duographs reintroduces one of the most elaborate complications in watchmaking, the Rattrapante.
Since their founding in 1884, Breitling have established a global reputation for their stunning luxury timepieces especially in their range of wrist chronographs. Leon Breitling, the Swiss watch brand’s founding father, was renowned for his contributions towards the development of the chronograph having patented his own simple timer, or tachymeter, in 1889 that could measure any speed between 15 and 150 km/h. After his passing, Leon’s son Gaston took over the Breitling brand and he too made history creating one of the first wrist-worn chronographs with an independent pusher at 2 o’clock allowing for the separation of the start, stop and reset functions. Then in 1934, Leon’s grandson Willy also patented the second independent chronograph pusher at 4 o’clock.
The Rattrapante complication, also known as the split seconds chronograph, takes Breitling’s chronograph technology to a whole new level. I believe the first time a Rattrapante movement was ever used by the Swiss watch brand was in 2017 in their Navitimer – it was certainly this model that introduced the brand’s first ever in-house Rattrapante movement. Now, the elaborate function presents itself on the iconic Premier watch dial in the Breitling Premier Heritage B15 Duograph 42 available in a choice of a stainless steel or 18 carat rose gold case and on a refined black or brown alligator leather strap.
The Rattrapante Movement
Based on their in-house Calibre B03, the Breitling Premier Heritage B15 Duograph 42 is fuelled by the mechanical hand-wound Breitling Manufacture Calibre B15 which delivers the rare and coveted Rattrapante function. Roughly translated from French to “catch up”, the chronograph movement ultimately delivers two chronograph seconds hands instead of one with the second superimposed over the other. How does it work? Just as you would with a normal chronograph, pressing the pusher at 2 o’clock allows both hands to spin across the circumference of the dial. When the pusher at 4 o’clock is pressed, the additional seconds hand stops. Press that pusher again and the stopped seconds will catch up with the other. This allows you to record multiple time intervals that start at the same time but do not end together. This is where its nickname “split seconds chronograph” comes from.
The Breitling Caliber B15 hand-winding chronograph movement is COSC chronometer-certified and operates at 4Hz (28,800bph) with a power reserve of 70 hours. The movement features classic central hands for hours and minutes, 12-hour chronograph with split-second “Rattrapante” functionality, a small seconds dial at 6 o’clock and a 30 minutes counter at 9 o’clock. The movement is also equipped with a column wheel mechanism and a vertical clutch for the chronograph. The rest of the design is familiar to the Premier collection with large Arabic numerals, detailed minutes track and Superluminova coated hands for hours and minutes.
The Breitling Premier Heritage B15 Duograph 42
As previously mentioned, the Breitling Premier Heritage B15 Duograph is available in two designs. The first under reference AB1510171C1P1 is dressed in polished stainless steel and comes with a nautical blue dial at the centre and a warm brown alligator leather strap. The second variant under reference RB1510251B1P1 is the more extravagant of the two engineered from solid 18 carat rose gold with a handsome black dial with rose gold numerals and hands and a matching black alligator leather strap. Just as their name suggests, each Breitling Premier Heritage B15 Duograph 42 watch measures to 42mm in diameter, 15.35mm in thickness and promises a 100 metre water resistance thanks to the two gaskets equipped on the non-screw-locked crown and integrated push pieces. The cases also impose fantastic legibility of the dial beneath with sapphire crystal glass treated with anti-reflective coating on both sides. Sapphire crystal can also be found on the screw down case backs offering an unprecedented view of the manual-wind movement within.
You can order both Breitling Premier Heritage B15 Duograph watches on the Jura Watches website today with interest free finance and free next day delivery. For more information on these models and other Breitling 2021 watch releases, check out the Horologii website here or get in touch with the team on 01335 453453 or send us a message at help@jurawatches.co.uk.
Specifications: Breitling Premier Heritage B15 Duograph 42 (AB1510171C1P1, RB1510251B1P1)
- Case Size: 42mm
- 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, integrated pushpieces
- Case Back: Screwed, sapphire crystal
- Water Resistance: 100 metres
- Movement: Breitling Manufacture Calibre B15, hand-wound
- COSC: Yes
- Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, split second chronograph, 30 minute counter
- Power Reserve: 70 hours
- Jewels: 47
- Frequency: 28,800vph
- Dial: Blue or black with Superluminova hour and minute hands
- Strap: Gold brown or black alligator leather
- Buckle: Folding
- RRP: £7,700 (Blue dial), £15,900 (Black dial)
- Release Date: Available now
